Yokohama Chinatown (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
My wife and I recently spent the day exploring Yokohama. If you’re stationed in the Kanto Plain area, it’s not a far drive or train ride.
We decided to spend some time getting to know Chinatown, a large district home to hundreds of restaurants and shops selling Chinese products, food and souvenirs. There are also cultural spots and activities to visit and try, including local shrines, Chinese tea cafés and street food stall hopping.
Yokohama’s Chinatown is the largest in Japan and East Asia, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The small alleyways with crowds and restaurants serving a variety of Chinese cuisines, including Sichuan, Cantonese and more, made me feel like I had teleported to China.
I’ve visited many places in Japan away from Tokyo, but sometimes the best adventures are just a train ride or short drive away. For those who are interested in saving a bit more, I would recommend taking the train since gas, toll roads and parking fees do add up.
Pro tip: There are many pedestrians in the area so avoid driving through the access roads where possible. On holidays and weekends, some parking lots may have no hourly cap limit and cost more, so park cautiously.
Here are some of the spots we visited in Chinatown to get a small sample of all this colorful, vibrant district has to offer.
Dash for dumplings
dumplings (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
Along the main shopping street in Chinatown, you’ll find many dumping vendors. We stopped at Houtenkaku Tenshimpo on one of the corners because the prices seemed good and it had a good variety of options, including seafood, pork and sesame dumplings and beer to wash them down.
We took the risk and ordered pork soup dumplings for 1,000 yen (about $6.45). We had our order in no time, and we ventured into an alleyway to eat. Here, everyone stands off to the side to enjoy the street food, so we decided to blend in with the locals and enjoy our pork dumplings. There are also dine-in options if standing outside is not what you want to do, or the weather is bad.
The dumplings were delicious and made us regret not ordering more. Each bite provided a burst of flavorful broth and tender pork. My mouth, stomach and wallet were happy with this little restaurant.
Houtenkaku Tenshimpo
Address: 231-0023 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Yamashitacho
Other info: There is no parking available at this restaurant. Yen only.
Visit to Mazu Miao Shrine
Yokohama Ma Zu Miao (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
incense sticks (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
Just off the main shopping area in Chinatown, Mazu Miao Shrine is small but colorful.
We were captivated and decided to go in. The staff at the entrance directed us to a vending machine to purchase our entry ticket. The vending machine had a variety of items, not tickets, to purchase gold paper or incense sticks that double as admission to the shrine.
We selected the incense stick sets for 500 yen each, then proceeded up the stairs.
At the top, staff directed us to bow three times and place one of the lit sticks in each of the five areas before moving on to the ash tray.
Upon entering the shrine, the next set of instructions was to pray at three separate gods “Kami.” Although I had no clue what was going on, I followed my wife’s lead and managed to do it right!
Looking up every time we finished praying, I was amazed by the beauty of this place. The colorful interiors were incredibly vivid, almost psychedelic in a way. Totally worth 500 yen. I have been to many shrines in Japan, but this shrine was in the top three of being most memorable.
Mazu Miao Shrine
Address: 136 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023
Other info: No photographs allowed inside.Cash only. No Parking.
Lunchtime at Fukuryu Chinese Restaurant
Lu Rou rice (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
minced pork lettuce wraps (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
We decided to grab one last bite in Chinatown before leaving the area. To be honest, choosing from the literal hundreds of restaurants can be overwhelming, so we picked Fukuryu, located directly across the street from the shrine.
Fortunately, the menu was great and there wasn’t much of a burden on the wallet.
Though the menu was all in Japanese, Google Translate did its magic. There was a variety of items to order, but we kept it basic since it was our first time.
We ordered steamed pork buns, a 5-piece dumpling set, minced pork lettuce wraps and Lu Rou rice, a Taiwanese braised pork dish.
The flavors of each dish were amazing. Our appetizers, steamed pork buns and dumplings, arrived at our table quickly. Each bite packed a punch of warm and savory pork broth.
The Lu Rou rice was topped with soft boiled eggs, braised pork pieces and had a mild spice. It’s a delicious and simple meal that isn’t too heavy on the stomach and won’t leave you tired after eating.
So far, our meal was delicious, but then came what was the best part of all the dishes we tried that day - the lettuce wraps. It was not my order, but I made sure to steal a lot from my wife’s plate. Inside the lettuce was flavorful minced pork and fried noodles for an added crunch. One bite leaves you wanting more. I would come back to this restaurant just for these wraps.
Overall, the price itself may sound expensive, but it was only 4,225 yen (about $27) for two people. The staff was very polite and also spoke a bit of English to help us order. This delectable meal was a great way to finish a visit to Chinatown.
Fukuryu Chinese Restaurant
Address: 231-0023 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 106-15
Hours: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.- 10 p.m., Mon. - Sun.
Other info: Reservations can be made using www.hotpepper.jp (Japanese only). No parking.
