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I visited Nankinmachi, one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, located in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.
In this article, I’ll share my food tour experience and impressions of Nankinmachi.
If you want to learn more about Nankinmachi, including recommended food stalls and Chinese restaurants, check out the following article.
Read more about Nankinmachi
Like Yokohama and Nagasaki, Nankinmachi transports you to a Chinese street the moment you arrive. Everything you see is Chinese-themed, and you can fully immerse yourself in the authentic Chinatown atmosphere right here in Kobe.
The area is bustling with energy, and delicious aromas waft from every direction, instantly making you hungry.
Look at this whole roasted Peking duck!!
While Nankinmachi Chinatown has many restaurants, there are also numerous street food vendors, making it perfect for a food walk.
You can either enjoy a full Chinese meal at a restaurant or sample various dishes while exploring different stalls - the choice is yours.
Many shops offer street food for easy eating while walking.
With so many shops, it can be hard to decide where to eat. Naturally, if the same item is available, you’d prefer the cheaper option.
After exploring various shops, I found that street food prices don’t vary significantly. The same menu items typically differ by only 100-300 yen between shops.
Considering that each shop uses different ingredients and preparation methods, such price differences are reasonable. There’s no need to make price a major factor in choosing where to eat.
While personal preferences vary, basically every shop serves delicious food.
Walking down the main street, you’ll occasionally find shops that aren’t Chinese restaurants.
Kobe Croquette Motomachi Main Store
Kobe Beef Shop (with Spider-Man for some reason)
There are also bubble tea shops that are popular with young women.
Houcha Charenka
This is a specialty shop for sweet potatoes and chestnuts.
Potato & Chestnut Parlor Buriki to Tan Kobe Main Store
Of course, I went on my own food tour.
First up was the Kobe Beef Bun
The meat has a slightly sweet seasoning and is incredibly juicy! It was delicious.
Next was the Braised Pork Bun
This is a must-try at Kobe’s Chinatown.
The sweet-flavored, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork was irresistibly delicious.
Being able to easily enjoy street food like this is one of Nankinmachi’s great advantages.
By the way, shops will collect your garbage after you finish eating. Note that Nankinmachi doesn’t have public trash bins for security reasons.
At the heart of Nankinmachi Chinatown is “Nankinmachi Square,” where you can rest when tired from walking.
While it gets quite crowded on holidays as shown, it’s a good meeting point if you get separated or need a break.
Nankinmachi Square becomes beautifully illuminated at night.
Soft lighting creates a wonderful atmosphere throughout the square.
The red pavilion stands out even more beautifully.
While the overall ambiance is subtle, this vibrant spot captivates visitors.
With fewer people at night, it’s highly recommended as a date spot.
Nankinmachi bustles with visitors of all ages - families, couples, and friends.
Anyone can enjoy themselves here and savor delicious food to their heart’s content.
Enjoying the atmosphere while sampling various foods.
You’re sure to have an excellent day here, so please come visit.
