Yokohama-Chukagai serves as a major center for Chinese culture in Japan

Yokohama-Chukagai, located in the Naka ward of Yokohama, is Japan’s largest Chinatown. Established in the late 19th century following the opening of the Port of Yokohama in 1859, the district serves as a major center for Chinese culture in Japan.

The neighborhood is characterized by dense urban blocks, traditional Chinese architecture, and colorful street gates that mark the transition into the district. It is one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, alongside Nankin-machi in Kobe and Shinchi in Nagasaki.

A prominent landmark within the district is the Yokohama-Kanteibyo temple. This Taoist and Buddhist mausoleum enshrines the deity Guan Yu, a famous warrior from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The temple follows specific customs, such as offering incense and bowing, which distinguish it from local Shinto or Buddhist practices.