Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
Hyogo Prefecture · Japan
We will have lunch at Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi. In addition to sitting in restaurants, you can also try a variety of street food in Chinatown. If you finish before the meeting time, take a short walk around Motomachi Shopping Street next to Chinatown.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation2:02
Welcome to Nankinmachi, Kobe's vibrant Chinatown and one of Japan's three major Chinese settlements alongside those in Yokohama and Nagasaki. For the historian, Nankinmachi is a fascinating artifact of the 1867 opening of Kobe…
Listen in the app2The Changan Gate: The Eastern Threshold1:39
We begin our exploration at the Changan Gate, the grand eastern entrance to Nankinmachi. In Chinese urban design, the gate (or 'paifang') is a critical symbol of identity and a ritualistic marker of territory. …
Listen in the app3The Central Square and Zodiac Statues1:48
At the intersection of the two main axes of Nankinmachi lies the central square, the literal and symbolic heart of the district. This open space is dominated by the 'Azumaya,' a beautiful red-and-gold hexagonal pavilion that…
Listen in the app4Street Food Mastery: The Soup Dumpling Ritual1:44
Nankinmachi is primarily a culinary destination, and nowhere is this more evident than in the art of the soup dumpling, or 'Xiao Long Bao.' One of the most famous institutions here is 'Yuan,' known for its long but fast-moving…
Listen in the app5Kobe Beef and Chinese Synthesis1:41
One of the most fascinating aspects of Nankinmachi is the way it has integrated Kobe's most famous product—Kobe Beef—into its culinary landscape. This is a perfect example of cultural and economic synthesis. …
Listen in the app6Side Alleys and Chinese Grocery Stores1:51
While the main street of Nankinmachi is dominated by ready-to-eat food, the side alleys and grocery stores offer a deeper look into the daily life of the Chinese community. For a scholar of the diaspora, these shops are vital…
Listen in the app7The Xi'an Gate: The Western Finale1:44
Our journey concludes at the Xi'an Gate, the western boundary of Nankinmachi. This gate is slightly different in style from the Changan Gate, reflecting the diverse regional architectures of China. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:38
As we conclude our walk through Nankinmachi, our senses are full of the colors, sounds, and tastes of a culture that has found a permanent and vibrant home in Kobe. We have traversed the path between the Changan and Xi'an gates,…
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What is Chinatown (Nankinmachi)?
Chinatown (Nankinmachi) is a place in Hyogo Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Hyogo Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 14 min 07 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.6881, 135.1881 |
| Last updated |
