The Largest Chinatown in Japan

The Chinatown in Yokohama City of Japan was the earliest settlement of the Chinese in the Land of the Rising Sun after the port was open to foreign trade in 1859. As a Chinese from Malaysia, I have intimate feelings for Chinatowns, so when I first alighted from the train at the JR Ishikawacho Station, I followed the signage to the largest Chinatown in Japan.

At every entrance of a Chinatown, you are sure to find a colourful gate flanking the entrance. So, visitors will know that they are heading in the right direction. There are in total nine gates in this Chinatown along; four at the main entrances, and five within the premises.

As food is the main part of the Chinese culture, restaurants usually occupy half of the shop lots in Chinatown.

Souvenir shops are abundant as Chinatown is a tourist destination in most guided tours. The bright and colourful decor will sure draw much attention from tourists.

Right opposite this colourful souvenir shop is the Tian Hou Temple (天后宫). Tian Hou is literally "Heavenly Empress" or "Heavenly Queen". She is regarded as the Goddess of the Sea for Chinese people. Therefore, many overseas Chinese worship Tian Hou as many of their ancestors went to the foreign lands by sea.

Another name of Tian Hou is Mazu (妈祖) which means "Mother-Ancestor". An elegant statue of Mazu is sitting on the main altar of the prayer hall.

The ceiling of the prayer hall is elaborately decorated with carvings and paintings.

Steamed buns are common food amongst the Chinese. So, they are sold almost everywhere in Chinatown.

When night falls on Chinatown, all the neon lights turn it into a colourful town.

As I have said earlier, most of the shop lots are taken up by restaurants.

When I walked further, I saw another gate of all the nine gates.

Before I took the train heading home, I took the picture of another gate I came out of Chinatown.

Yokohama at a Glance

Yokohama is the second largest city of Japan with a population of over three million. It was among the earliest ports of Japan being forced open to foreign trade.

As one of the old Chinese sayings says: "If there is sunshine and water, there will be Chinese people." You can find one of the world's largest Chinatowns right at the centre of Yokohama City.

Passing through the colourful streets of Chinatown and walking in the direction of the port led me to the Waterfront Promenade of Yamashita Park. Minato Mirai 21, which means "the harbour of the future" in Japanese, is clearly visible from the Waterfront Promenade.

As Yokohama was one of the earliest ports opened to foreign trades, there was quite a number of Europeans settling here. Therefore, there is a street here at the foot of the Yamate Hill dedicated to the Europeans for their shopping spree, the Motomachi. Yamate Hill itself is filled with mansions in European architecture.

There is a park named Harbour View Park on top of Yamate Hill in which the name is self-explanatory. If offers a great view of the Bay Bridge in the evening.

I will be updating with more details of each location mentioned above, so please stay tuned.