All Reviews of Nankin-machi (Nanjing town)

On this trip to Kobe, I made a special point of visiting Nankin-machi to walk around and explore! As soon as I arrived, I was drawn in by the Chinese-style streetscape, with red lanterns, traditional gates, and lively streets. The whole atmosphere was really distinctive and gave me the familiar feeling of being in Yokohama Chinatown.

Nankin-machi is Kobe's famous Chinatown and one of the largest Chinatowns in western Japan. It connects to the Motomachi Shopping Street, and the area is lined with all kinds of Chinese restaurants, food stalls, and specialty foods. Just looking at the wide variety of food made me want to keep eating my way through the neighborhood!

Nankin-machi is mainly surrounded by three gates: Chang'an Gate, Nanlou Gate, and Xi'an Gate. Each has its own distinctive features, and they are all must-photograph landmarks here.

It's also very convenient to get to. Take the train to Motomachi Station, and it's just a short walk from there. You can also walk from Sannomiya Station, though it's a bit farther away.

This is a great place for a food-focused stroll. Take some photos, browse the shops, and try a few snacks that catch your eye while experiencing Kobe's lively, international atmosphere!

One place you definitely shouldn't miss when visiting Kobe is the exotic Nankin-machi!
It's one of the largest Chinatowns in western Japan, and the streets are lined with lots of tempting foods, like soup dumplings, pork buns, Peking duck, sesame balls, and more. Walking around and eating really gives you that travel feeling. I especially recommend not rushing to find a restaurant and sit down. Just stroll around and snack, buying whatever looks good and slowly taking in the crowds and energy.
Even though you're in Kobe, Japan, Nankin-machi has such a strong Chinese atmosphere that it feels both familiar and new. It's lively during the day and even more atmospheric when the lights come on at night, making it a great stop in Kobe for strolling, taking photos, and finding something to eat.

Don't come too late—most shops close after 8 p.m.

Most of the food here is pretty similar, and the main visitors seem to be Japanese people. Every now and then, I’d hear some familiar Chinese being spoken.

It's much smaller compared to the Chinatown in Motomachi. You can still get a bit of that Chinatown vibe, but honestly, I’d skip eating here.

It's really similar to Yokohama Chinatown, but Nankin-machi is a bit smaller. The Chinese food here is mostly adjusted for Japanese tastes and tends to be a bit pricey. The food didn't really catch my interest, so I just wandered around and took some photos.