Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown

Overview

Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is one of Japan's three major Chinatowns, alongside Yokohama Chinatown and Nankinmachi Chinatown, located in Shinchi-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Created in the mid-Edo period by reclaiming land from the sea to build warehouses for trade goods from China, its approximately 250-meter crossroad is paved with stone, thanks to the cooperation of Fuzhou City in Fujian Province, Nagasaki City's sister city. Currently, around 40 shops line the streets, offering Chinese cuisine, sweets, and goods. Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is also known for its rich history and culture. At the entrances to the town stand four Chinese gates (pavilons) built in 1986 by the local shopping association, embodying their wishes for prosperity. Each gate is designed with one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations (Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise), representing the four cardinal directions. The colors of the Four Symbols engraved in the gate's paving stones are determined by the Five Elements, each corresponding to a direction. Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is also famous for its delicious Chinese cuisine. Restaurants offer a variety of dishes, from authentic Chinese fare to Japanese adaptations. Chinese goods shops sell Chinese tea, tableware, and accessories—perfect souvenirs. When visiting Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, be sure to stroll through the stone-paved streets, savor the Chinese cuisine, and browse the shops for unique souvenirs.