What other travelers are saying about Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)
I thought this was just a one way street full of Chinese delicacies and stores but the Chinatown itself is quite big. I think it ia covering 4 or more streets. I was looking forward to eat some Kobe steaks so I wasn't able to taste the Chinese food being offered by the stores. But it looks delicious. There was a store that sells pork buns with a pretty long line of local and foreign people. This street is probably 10-15min walk for Kobe Port. So after, exploring the port and learning about the Kobe Earthquake from the Memorial (at the port as well), I recommend going here first for ypur lunch to try different chinese foods.
Day guides that include Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)
Frequently Asked Questions
Nankinmachi is the Chinatown located in Kobe, Japan. It is one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan, alongside those in Yokohama and Nagasaki.
The name 'Nankinmachi' comes from Nanjing, a city in China. Historically, many Chinese immigrants in Japan referred to themselves as coming from 'Nanking,' the then capital of China.
Visitors to Nankinmachi can enjoy a variety of authentic Chinese cuisine, shop for a range of goods including traditional Chinese medicines and souvenirs, and experience cultural festivals such as the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Nankinmachi was established in the late 19th century following the opening of Kobe's port to foreign trade. It quickly became a hub for Chinese immigrants setting up businesses and homes.
Notable landmarks include the East Gate (Changan Gate) and West Gate (Xi'an Gate), as well as various temples and paifang archways that reflect traditional Chinese architectural styles.
Kobe Chinatown, also called Nankin-machi, is a famous food street in Kobe. It is a popular place for both locals and tourists who love to eat and try new dishes. The area is not very large, but it is always full of people and energy.
There are many food stalls and small restaurants selling different kinds of Chinese food. Visitors can easily find tasty items such as dumplings, buns, noodles, and sweet snacks. The food smells are very attractive, and it is hard to walk past without stopping to try something. Many dishes are easy to eat while walking, which makes the experience more fun.
Because the food is good and well-known, the street is often very crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. Even so, the lively atmosphere makes the visit enjoyable. People laugh, eat, and take photos, creating a cheerful feeling.
Overall, Nankin-machi is a great place to enjoy delicious food and a busy street vibe. If you like food and don’t mind crowds, Kobe Chinatown is definitely worth a visit.
Visited on a weekday afternoon and it was super crowded. Honestly there's nothing much to see there except for soaking in the lively atmosphere, it's still a super fun experience and walk around the area.
The architecture although similar to most modern Japanese streets, it has some decorations, designs and buildings that adds in the Chinese vibe.
Most shops along the main street sells similar foods and souvenir. Didn't buy anything cause I felt that most stuff are sold with a tourist price tag, and the popular spots had insane queues.
Overall worth a visit if you're visiting Kobe, just walking around soaking in the atmosphere would give a pretty good experience of the area.
We visited during the day and it was a bit busy, but not overwhelming. We just walked around and didn’t buy anything, but the area itself is really cute. There are so many food stalls, restaurants, and little shops, so it’s definitely a place to explore if you like street food or souvenirs.
The atmosphere is lively and colorful, with traditional decorations and lanterns everywhere. Even if you don’t eat, it’s fun to stroll through and soak up the vibe. Overall, it was okay — nice for a short visit, especially if you’re already in Kobe city.
Tips for visitors:
- Easy to reach on foot from Motomachi Station
- Can get busy during peak lunch hours, but manageable
- Great for photos and just soaking up the Chinatown atmosphere
Chinatown Nankin-machi (南京町) in Kobe is a bustling district. The area was developed by Chinese merchants who settled near Kobe Port after the port was opened to foreign trade in 1868.
It is located south of Motomachi station adjacent to the Daimaru Department Store. It’s parallel to the shopping street populated with many Chinese restaurants and tourist. Happen to pass by to drop by to experience the sights. Should be interesting to first time travellers wanting to immerse in some Chinese delicacies in Kobe.
Less than 20 minutes to walk through the Chinatown area for sightseeing.
