The largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world, with over 600 restaurants, shops, and temples in a dense labyrinthine quarter. The ornate Kanteibyo Temple at its heart is a spiritual anchor for the Chinese community.
Yokohama Chinatown, known in Japanese as Chukagai, is the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world, occupying a dense labyrinthine quarter in central Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The community traces its origins to 1859, when the port of Yokohama first opened to foreign trade and Chinese merchants settled along the waterfront. Today the quarter contains over 600 restaurants, food stalls, shops, and temples packed within roughly 0.2 square kilometres, centred on the Kanteibyo Temple — a colourful Taoist shrine dedicated to Guan Yu, the god of war and business.
The district is entered through one of ten ornate gate structures, each associated with a cardinal or intercardinal direction and decorated in traditional Chinese architectural colours. Navigating the interior streets reveals Chinese medicinal herb shops, dim sum restaurants issuing clouds of steam, souvenir stalls selling zodiac figurines, and bakeries offering fresh custard pork buns. The Mashan Temple near the eastern edge honours the sea goddess Mazu and serves as a quieter counterpoint to the more visited Kanteibyo.
Street food is integral to the Chinatown experience: freshly steamed nikuman (meat buns), beef jerky snacks, sesame pancakes, and roasted chestnuts form a gauntlet along the main thoroughfare. Sit-down restaurants range from Cantonese banquet halls to Sichuan specialists; lunch sets often represent good value. Formal multi-course dinners are available at higher-end establishments.
A relaxed wander covers the area in 1 to 2 hours; dedicated food explorers may spend an entire afternoon. The district is busiest on weekends and national holidays. Weekday mornings and early afternoons see a more leisurely tempo.
Location
35.4422, 139.6471 View on map
Highlights
- 600+ restaurants and food stalls
- Kanteibyo Temple
- Mashan Temple
- Street food
Tips for visiting
- Try the freshly steamed dim sum and Peking duck. Busiest on weekends — visit on a weekday for a calmer experience.
When to visit
Weekday lunchtimes offer shorter queues and calmer streets; Chinese New Year celebrations (late January–February) fill the district with lantern parades and lion dances.
Accessibility
Fully accessible; flat streets
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee to Yokohama Chinatown?
Chinatown itself is free to enter and walk through. Individual temples may charge small entry fees (¥100–¥200). Meals and snacks are paid separately at each establishment.
How long should visitors plan for a visit?
1 to 2 hours for a casual walk and street food; 3 hours or more if planning a sit-down restaurant lunch or dinner and visiting both the Kanteibyo and Mashan temples.
What food is the area best known for?
Freshly steamed nikuman (meat buns), dim sum, and Peking duck are highlights. Specialist shops also serve Shanghai-style xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), which are harder to find in comparable quality elsewhere in Kanagawa.