Choyomon Gate and Chinatown, Yokohama (must see)

Marked by its bright blue roof and richly decorated Chinese architectural details, Choyomon Gate serves as the eastern entrance to Yokohama’s famous Chinatown. Its name means “Sunrise Gate,” reflecting its position on the eastern side of the district. The gate is dedicated to Seiryu, the Blue Dragon of the East, a guardian deity associated with spring, prosperity, and renewal.

Yokohama Chinatown traces its roots to 1859, when the port opened to international trade. Ferry links with Shanghai and Hong Kong brought Chinese immigrants to Yokohama, where they established schools, a community centre, shops, and restaurants near the foreign settlement. Growth was not easy: local laws restricted the types of work Chinese residents could perform, the Great Kantō Earthquake caused widespread destruction in 1923, and World War II brought further hardship. After the war, the district gradually began to recover.

Today, it is the largest Chinatown in Japan, with around 500 shops and restaurants catering mainly to visitors drawn by its history, food, and atmosphere. Tourism became especially important in the late 20th century after Japan established diplomatic relations with China, turning Chinatown into one of Yokohama’s most popular sightseeing destinations.

The first highlight is the East Gate itself. Here, two massive, vividly coloured columns support the heavy, multi-tiered ceramic-tile roof. The gateway features intricate wooden carvings created according to traditional feng shui principles, intended to protect the neighbourhood while welcoming prosperity from the eastern sea.

Pass through the gate and continue down the central avenue into the heart of the district. At the busy intersection with Ichiba-Dori Shopping Street, you will find one of Chinatown’s liveliest crossroads. This bustling pedestrian junction is lined with traditional storefronts, street-food stalls, and colourful dragon banners, capturing the vibrant atmosphere for which the neighbourhood is known.

Food remains the main attraction, with more than 150 Chinese restaurants serving dishes from many regions of China, as well as Taiwan. Visitors will also find bakeries selling steamed buns, cafés specializing in medicinal teas, buffets, sweet shops, souvenir stores, arcades, photography studios, karaoke bars, and craft workshops where they can try making dim sum, paper lanterns, and other traditional items. By day, Chinatown is lively and colourful; by evening, its illuminated gates and bustling restaurants give the district a festive glow.