Nankinmachi, Kobe's Chinatown

Tasty street food in a lively atmosphere

Peter Sidell Jan 16, 2013 - 1 min read

The statues on the plaza are a Nankinmachi landmark

Some of the many stands lining the streets in the evenings

Stores and restaurants compete for attention with colorful, sometimes strange statues

When the lights come on in the evening, the streets are colorful and lively

The open plaza at the center is good for snacking, relaxing and people-watching

It's fun to browse all the different stands, snacking as you go

Restaurants try to catch the eye with garish storefronts

Near the center of Kobe is Nankinmachi, the city's Chinatown, a fun, lively place to eat and hang out. There are lots of restaurants offering a range of Chinese cuisines, but it's most fun after dark, when the streets are lined with stands selling cheap and tasty goodies; you can take your pick of steamed buns and dumplings, barbecued skewers of meat, bowls of soup and rice dishes, and take them to the relaxed central plaza to watch the people while you munch away.

More info

Find out more about Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi).

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.