What other travelers are saying about Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)
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
Nankin-machi ( 'Nanjing town') is a neighborhood in Kobe, Japan located south of Motomachi station adjacent to the Daimaru Department Store and is a major tourist attraction. Considered as Kobe's Chinatown, the area has over a hundred Chinese restaurants, shops, and a Chinese temple dedicated to Lord Guan.
Many establishments such as mahjong clubs and souvenir shops abound throughout Nankinmachi, but none are as prevalent as food businesses. Along the streets of Nankinmachi are restaurants and stalls that serve both Chinese Japanese food, Western steak houses as well.
Most shops show off their cuisine on display stands for potential customers. Some examples include dim sum, dumplings, buns, and Chinese pastries. During the Lunar New Year and the Mid Autumn season, two major festivals celebrated by Chinese people worldwide, New Year's delicacies and Moon Cakes appear.
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Lots of street food and gets busier once it gets dark. Not just popular with tourists but local Japanese as well. Short walk from Kobe Harbourland and Kobe Ropeway. Not as big as Yokohama Chinatown but worth a visit if you are in Kobe.
Historical and scenic but I tried some food and was not too impressed. It's a great place to take some photos and enjoy the ambiance. It's a pity that most of the shops sell the same thing probably from the same factory.
I found one shop that seemed to make their things from scratch. The dumplings were not bad in taste but the skin was under needed so there was a lack of gluten development. I make them some and dumplings at home so I know what I'm talking about.
Arrived in the evening—most shops were already closed, but the Chinese-style architecture and the soft glow of red lanterns still wrapped the street in a rich, exotic charm 🎐✨
I can only imagine how vibrant it must feel during the day.
Next time, I’m definitely coming earlier—how about a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup and a classic milk tea? 🥡🧋
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.
