Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Chinatown
Kobe is renowned as an international city, as one of the first cities to open for trade with the West it’s been host to people from many foreign nations for over a hundred and fifty years. It’s also home to one of only three (official)Chinatowns in Japan! Priding itself as the most colorful and foreign-looking of the three(the other two are in Yokohama and Nagasaki), Kobe Chinatown is a short walk from Motomachi station. Consisting of two intersecting streets, stores and restaurants also extend into the alleys between. On the South, East and West sides the entrances are marked by impressive gates

South - Nanluo Gate
South – Nanluo Gate

East - Changan Gate
East – Changan Gate

West - Xian Gate
West – Xian Gate

Kobe Chinatown - North entrance
The North entrance doesn’t have a gate, and is instead guarded by two Lion statues

Kobe Chinatown
There’s a small square where the two main roads meet, here you’ll find a small pavillion plus stone statues of each of the animals of the Chinese zodiac – I’m 1983, year of the Pig, how about you?

Kobe Chinatown
The streets are lined with food stands, they’re everywhere! Even restaurants have set up a small stand outside to attract passing business.

Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Chinatown
Lots of cuddly pandas!

Kobe Chinatown
Chinese-style dog clothing? Not sure Pickles would be happy about wearing this stuff!

Kobe Chinatown
Life-size Bruce Lee model outside a souvenir shop

Kobe Chinatown
Stopped off for a bite to eat, bubble tea and a steamed bun!

Kobe Chinatown
This big board in the main square is not only a map, there’s information about the history of the area too. Kobe Chinatown is an interesting, colourful area well worth checking out.

Kobe Chinatown
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One Comment

  1. titlescreen
    07/02/2013

    Love the life sized Bruce Lee, reminds me of the one at the peak in Hong Kong that my cousin broke the finger off.

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