20110906 Journeys in Japan - Yokohama Chinatown

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Sep. 6, Tue. 0:30 - 1:00 (UTC) etc.

"A vibrant community - Yokohama Chinatown"

• The Kanteibyou temple stands in the heart of Yokohama's Chinatown
• Yokohama Chinatown is known for its delectable cuisine
• A colorful and vibrant festival

Yokohama, just to the south of Tokyo, is home to one of the largest, most vibrant Chinatowns in the world. It's quite compact, covering an area just half a kilometer across, but its streets are lined with more than 600 restaurants and shops. Over 21 million visitors come here every year. In the center of Yokohama Chinatown stands a temple called Kanteibyo, which was erected in honor of the deity Guan Yu. To mark the 150th anniversary of Kanteibyo this year, there have been major celebrations. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter Gow explores this fascinating district, samples the delectable cuisine in some restaurants, and reports on the colorful festivities.

For more information about Yokohama Chinatown, visit these resources (all Web sites in Japanese only)

Yokohama Kanteibyo temple is open daily 09:00-19:00. (045) 226-2636

Feng shui information and goods (including yin-yang key ring)
www.tenpodo.com

Velo-taxis can be hired for ?4,000 per hour (adults) www.velotaxi.jp/index.html

Eating out in Yokohama Chinatown
Taiwanese crispy fried rice (?1,500)
Jyougenkyou: 148 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama; tel: (045) 681-2340

Steamed pork buns (?500)
Edosei: www.edosei.com

Shaved ice-milk topped with mango syrup (?500)
QQ Yataiya: 136-5 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama: tel: (045) 663-0501

Chinese herbal medicine cuisine, fish soup (?1,260)
Kinkouro: 200-9 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama: tel: (045) 680-5568; www.kinkoro.com

Other contacts
Palm-reading fortune telling (?1,000)
Hou Uranai Yakata: various locations in Yokohama Chinatown; (045) 651-7240; www.hou-uranai.com

Dressing up in cheongsam Chinese dress: (?500/poloroid)
Jyujiya: 166 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama; tel: (045) 664-5337; www1.ttcn.ne.jp/~juujiya-yokohama/ Open 12:00-19:30 (closed Monday)

Closing music
"Both Sides Now" written by Joni Mitchell (1968), performed by the Japanese group, Dimanche.

Traveler: Gow
Access Map

Access: From central Tokyo, there are several ways to reach Yokohama Chinatown. By train, it takes about 40 minutes. It's a five-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station.

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