Eat and Walk and Have Fun! Discovering the Appeal of Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama is filled with great restaurants, shops and attractive tourist destinations. And when in Yokohama, you can't miss Yokohama Chinatown, which has more than 500 shops and restaurants. Here are some of the secrets to its popularity.
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What is Yokohama Chinatown?
This is the largest Chinatown in east Asia (with an area of approx. 0.2sq.km.) with a history of almost 150 years. It has a wide selection of shops, including restaurants, stores that sell Chinese food and souvenirs, and fortunetellers! It is full of the Chinese atmosphere and is fun just to stroll around in. It holds large parades and events and is a hugely popular tourist destination that attracts approximately 20 million visitors each year.
Visit the Power Spots!
Yokohama Kanteibyo (Kuan Ti Miao Temple) and Yokohama Masobyo (Ma Zhu Miao Temple) are two ornate buildings that stand out in Chinatown. They both enshrine major Chinese Taoist gods and are in locations with fabulous feng shui, making them popular "power spots" with a variety of benefits.
Yokohama Kanteibyo (Kuan Ti Miao Temple)
Yokohama Kanteibyo, which is located in the middle of Chinatown, was built more than 150 years ago. It enshrines a famous Chinese warrior, Guan Yu. Guan Yu is revered as the God of Merchants, and the temple is a place of solace for Chinese merchants conducting business in the foreign land of Japan. It is said to have benefits that include successful business, travel safety, and success in entrance exams and in academics. Why not pay your respects there?
Yokohama Masobyo (Ma Zhu Miao Temple)
Yokohama Masobyo was built in 2006 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Yokohama. The goddess, Mazu, who is revered primarily in the coastal regions of China as the goddess of sailing and fishing, is enshrined here. A variety of other gods are also enshrined, so there are wide-ranging benefits including the blessing of children and success in academics. It is particularly famous for bringing about romantic success and improving financial prospects! Be sure to stop by to pay your respects.
Enjoy Strolling Around and Visiting the Stores!
One way to enjoy Yokohama Chinatown is to stroll around the lively town and stop in at various stores. Not only are there products unique to China, but also items from a variety of regions including Asia, Central & South America, and Africa. From ethnic clothing such as China dresses and textiles such as scarves, to Chinese kites and lanterns, interior goods, accessories, plates, and dolls, the choices are endless! You\'re sure to find something you like.
Enjoy Trying Various Foods!
Walking around Chinatown, you are likely to encounter wonderful smells that may make you hungry. Go ahead and try all the fabulous items available to you! There are Chinese takeout items, such as pork buns, Peking duck, shark fin soup, and xiao long bao dumplings, as well as sweets such as sesame balls and refreshing shaved ice. All items are reasonably priced at around 200 JPY to 300 JPY each!
Have Your Fill of Chinese Food!
If you\'re in Yokohama Chinatown, you\'ll want to get your fill of authentic Chinese food. There are restaurants serving food from a variety of Chinese regions, including Canton, Beijing, Shanghai, and Sichuan. There is also a variety of restaurant types, from casual eateries to ornately decorated luxury restaurants. You can enjoy dim sum with friends or savor exclusive ingredients such as shark fin and abalone. And of course, you can stop in at a noodle shop and have a bowl on your own.
Yokohama Chinatown is a place that will make you feel like you are traveling in China while in Japan. Stop by when you are in Yokohama!
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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