Kobe Chinatown Nankin-machi image

Kobe Chinatown Nankin-machi

Tourist attraction Business park

One of the Most Revieweds in Kobe


Address

1 Chome-3-18 Sakaemachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0023, Japan

Website

www.nankinmachi.or.jp

Contact

+81 78-332-2896

Rating on Google Maps

3.90 (20.3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Chinese (35) Chinatown (27) Kobe (19) restaurants (15) street (15) shops (13) area (13) find (10) China (9) lots (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Reza M. 3 years ago on Google
    A must go place, whenever you are hiding from the sun or like to avoid the rain, have a along walk from Sannomiya towards harbour land. The background music makes the walk even more pleasant. Don’t forget to check out the hidden shops on the second level.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Star W. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place to visit if you are in JAPAN KOBE 🇯🇵. I feel like I am in CHINA 🇨🇳. All the shopkeepers are Chinese 🇨🇳. They will literally force you to come and eat to their restaurants so be careful 😅. But street food 🍱 is yum 🤤 🍲. This is a kind of photogenic spot. Toilet is not available only available inside the restaurants . Better carry lots of cash 💰 because you gonna buy lots of stuff and eat as well . Parking 🚗 is not available and not free if you park it can goes around ¥2400 per day . Wheelchair ♿️ ok 👌. If you want to visit China 🇨🇳 in japan 🇯🇵 so must go place 😇.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Rajyashree Sundaram (. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place to hang out. Lots of Chinese food...and pretty good prices. The ambience is really festival-like. Centrally located, lots of train stations and key shopping areas (motomachi and sannomiya) near by.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Andrew A. 2 months ago on Google • 753 reviews New
    One of the only 3 Chinatowns in Japan, this one in Kobe is probably the smallest amongst them all. Its just a straight street with mostly food stalls and restaurants lined up on both sides for you to try the street food. Nothing funky, just simply Chinese cuisine mostly to serve your appetite. lol.

  • 5/5 Charles 4 years ago on Google
    A must go place in Japan. This Chinatown locate at Kobe, so far I find it better than Yokohama Chinatown. This Chinatown comprise of few streets inter-cross each other, at the end of the street there is a different Chinese gate indicate north south east west. There are lot of people (usually I don't like crowd but this one is exception) mainly mixture of locals and tourists. On the walkway you will not find any boring empty slot because all the available space already taken up by shops selling finger delicious food. I can flower it as good as heaven but if you never go you will never know.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 K H. 3 months ago on Google • 552 reviews New
    Come here for lunch. It's cheaper to get to-go than dine in the restaurants. The speciality here seems to be peking duck rolls, but the one we had was very dry and old. I didn't find the food here overall to be the best, but that's because I'm from Vancouver where there's a large Chinese population and so higher standards of Chinese food. But it's more affordable which is why you'll see Japanese students come here.

  • 3/5 Wirda A. 2 months ago on Google • 516 reviews New
    It was recommended here for their street food from a blog but since i don’t eat pork there’s not option for me to eat here. But i managed to get some souvenirs from one of the shops.

  • 2/5 Brooke Z. 4 months ago on Google • 109 reviews
    I regret going there, all the stress food set up for tourists. Low quality with ripoff prices. I paid 35 $for a skewer Kobe wague beef but it’s taste like regular cheap steak. I tried Crystal Strawberry is bad.. not thing I like about these place. Definitely not going back again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hannah 2 months ago on Google • 59 reviews New
    Kobe's Chinatown offers a vibrant and captivating atmosphere that instantly draws you in. The bustling streets are alive with energy, as locals and tourists alike weave through the maze of stalls and shops. The vibrant colors, aromatic scents, and lively chatter create an atmosphere that is truly infectious. One of the most striking aspects of Kobe's Chinatown is the abundance of stalls offering a variety of culinary delights. While wandering through the narrow alleyways, you'll find yourself surrounded by vendors tempting you with a plethora of tantalizing treats. From steaming baskets of dumplings to freshly baked buns, the options seem endless yet enticingly familiar. The heart of Chinatown beats with the rhythm of dumplings sizzling on griddles and the soft hiss of steam escaping bamboo baskets. Each stall offers its own take on classic dishes, showcasing a rich tapestry of flavors and culinary traditions. Whether you're craving traditional pork dumplings or adventurous flavors like shrimp and chive, there's something to satisfy every palate. Beyond the culinary delights, Kobe's Chinatown exudes a sense of history and culture that is palpable with every step. The architecture reflects a blend of Japanese and Chinese influences, with ornate gateways and intricate facades adorning the streets. Exploring the narrow lanes reveals hidden gems, from ancient temples to quaint teahouses, each offering a glimpse into the area's rich heritage. Amidst the hustle and bustle, the sense of community in Kobe's Chinatown is unmistakable. Locals and visitors mingle freely, sharing stories and laughter over shared meals. It's a place where strangers become friends over a shared love of food and culture. In conclusion, Kobe's Chinatown is a feast for the senses and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the vibrant city. From the tantalizing aromas to the rich tapestry of flavors, it's an experience that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds and your heart.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jacob N. 2 years ago on Google
    This China town is definitely not as large or impressive visually as some of the others I’ve seen in Yokohama, Nagasaki, or Washington DC, but it is still a nice visual contrast with the rest of the city. Nice variety of restaurants, Chinese grocers, souvenir shops, and everything else you’d expect from this kind of area. Also keep a look out for the Spiderman statues on a few of the restaurants.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 matt w. 9 months ago on Google
    Cool Chinatown with lots of different shops. Not too long, easy to see everything. Was a nice plaza area with a place to rest and listen to Chinese music. Lots of the shop keepers speaking Chinese rather than Japanese and some decent Chinese food markets as well where you can get spices pretty cheap. Wasn't too crowded in the morning, got a bit busy around lunch time. Great experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Do J. 4 years ago on Google
    Smaller version of Yokohama Chinatown but I think the food in Kobe Chinatown are much more delicious and much cheaper than the one I found in Yokohama. The street is pretty clean and not so very crowd, I really enjoyed it. This Chinatown is close to the beach so they have a lot of romantic places for couples One thing I don't like is some restaurant staffs, they tried to invite us with so much insistence even our stomachs are full...
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 OBAIEAD B. 2 years ago on Google
    I don't think there is such a city in Japan. I thought It is real China.very Beautiful place.unfortunately,not a wide.The food was very delicious.And some of shop very cheaper.But fruit-related food very expensive.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 shiro k. 2 years ago on Google
    There is small China town. However we can enjoy a lot of food 😋
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas K. 3 months ago on Google • 287 reviews New
    Fantastic China town with some good street food. It was pretty crowded, but still not to a point where I couldn’t enjoy it. The popular food places have mind boggling long queues, so better bring some time if you want to have anything that’s on the popular side. Finally, it’s reachable by train.

  • 4/5 Hi I A. 4 months ago on Google • 167 reviews
    Compared to Yokohama's Chinatown, it is much, much smaller. So if you've been there before, then I don't recommend coming here because it's essentially the same thing. However I do prefer this Chinatown over their's because it is less crowded for the same food and it's less chaotic. Just like Yokohama, you will find several vendors selling the same items: pan fried bao's, steamed baos, and candied fruits to name a few plus some Chinese and dim sum restaurants thrown into the mix.

  • 3/5 Ed C. 3 months ago on Google • 143 reviews New
    This was one of the three Chinatowns in Japan and probably the smallest in terms of scale and size. Many Chinese themed buildings, structures with lanterns and decors were up in this part of the street and they were mainly red in colour. There were even the displays of 12 zodiac animals of the Chinese calendar. Many eateries, shops and makeshift stalls were selling Chinese themed foods like dumplings, paos (chinese buns), hotpot etc and also traditional Chinese herbs and sundry goods. It attracted quite a lot of visitors to come to try the foods and take photos. But other than that, there's not much to see or shop here (especially for us who are Singaporean Chinese and find nothing special). Somehow one may feel the "China feeling" here as everywhere was written in Chinese words and characters and not in Japan!

  • 5/5 Terry “Monochromist” C. 4 months ago on Google • 118 reviews
    Small area marked by the Chinese style gates. There are tea shops and plenty of food so do come with an empty stomach. One of the key dishes here is the pork buns and there are many styles to choose from The famous stores may require queues up to 45min during lunch time but be ready to stand and eat as it can get really crowded.

  • 4/5 Sara P. 4 months ago on Google • 113 reviews
    Very very crowded but delicious food. It was a bit over priced but I enjoyed it for what it was. Lots if great little restaurants nearby as well

  • 2/5 Elaine N. 5 months ago on Google • 70 reviews
    Very crowded in weekend. Many shop long queues. Don’t have table to eat and rest! Many store sells food and drink, same prices!! If a few birds fly by, don't be scared!! Thats normal!

  • 5/5 Glo A. 5 months ago on Google • 69 reviews
    I loved this Chinatown and would go back to it next time to eat. (We were not able to eat this time as we had had a big lunch and were having Kobe steak for dinner.) The Chinatown is big. It is clean. It is tourist friendly. There are many food stalls - mostly offering the same items. There are a few Spider-Mans along the walls so it could be fun trying to find them all in this area and the surroundings. I would recommend this Chinatown for a walk through even if not stopping by to eat in it. There are many side alleys that looked interesting which we didn’t get to walk down.

  • 5/5 Samuel S. 8 months ago on Google
    Chinatown in Kobe is a great place to visit when here in Kobe. It's marked by the Chinese gates, and there are several Chinese restaurants here. The restaurants here generally sell the same things such as peking duck, sesame balls and soup dumplings. There's also a Chinese supermarket which would have you familiar with Chinese teas, spices and beverages. For a hot day, there are some shops selling shaved ice with syrup.

  • 3/5 LuT 1 year ago on Google
    It has many chinese restaurants, but unfortunately most of them offer the same foods and theres no visual way of discerning them. The place itself is really chinese like, the food I have tasted so far is good.

  • 5/5 Minun M. 2 years ago on Google
    If you went to Kobe and wantto know how does look like Chinese streets then you must visit this road. It's called China Town cause the way it looks and food which is served is really Chinese. Food is delicious and many places to have a good shot.

  • 3/5 Vu N. 2 years ago on Google
    They sell similar food on the whole street, haha

  • 3/5 Hoàng Anh �. 2 years ago on Google
    Very crowded with overpricing foods. One whole duck is sold for 7000 yen. Dumpling eateries are everywhere

  • 5/5 Louis L. 9 months ago on Google
    Everything you can expect from a Chinatown, lots of food options, all shops are sailing pretty much the same at different price so before buying from the first shop on the street I recommend to check every shop and find the cheapest (quality is same everywhere). Great vibes around, was good to have some proper chinese food in Japan!

  • 4/5 Yuuki A. 7 months ago on Google
    Small taste of China in Kobe! Lots of street vendors to try different foods! And if you love pandas, you will love this area!

  • 4/5 Shans S. 9 months ago on Google
    Small but nice ambiance chinatown in Kobe. The food I think all same, pork bun, peking duck, etc. From here you can explore Kobe Motomachi and Ikuta Jinja within walking distance

  • 5/5 Hugo P. 5 months ago on Google
    A very neat and organised Chinatown. Lots of places to eat a snack or a full meal.

  • 4/5 KIICHIRO K. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful Chinatown in Kobe, Nankin-Machi. There are a lot of Chinese cuisine choices. It’s so hard to pick one.

  • 4/5 Taha T. 1 year ago on Google
    Due to my religious constraints, I have a very limited repository of what I have tried but, despite that it is very lively area and entertaining to just stroll around. A mouth watering, fun place with impending festival in September. I would go again real soon

  • 3/5 Lam N. 5 months ago on Google
    It's crowded and garbage. Not as beautiful and modern as China Town in Yokohama. The food here doesn't catch the eye, it's fat.

  • 5/5 Ni N. 1 year ago on Google
    Great area for food and souvenirs. They were prepared for the lion dance at the time i visited (maybe because of lunar new year). Long stretch with many food vendors.

  • 3/5 Leonard L. 1 year ago on Google
    Touristy and small area with mostly similar mediocre tourist priced street food (Chinese food Japanese style) lining the streets and some restaurants. If it's on the way in your walking tour of Kobe it's ok to drop by.

  • 4/5 andy c. 1 year ago on Google
    Touristy, yes, but one of the better Chinatowns I've visited. Nice lighting, lots of food vendors despite similar offerings, and great ambiance!

  • 5/5 Achmad Januar Er P. 1 year ago on Google
    This is an area near Motomachi JR and Hanshin station. This is mainly an alley with many sellers selling their special Chinese delicacies. Not only that, at the center of this area, you can find a small Chinese building surrounded by several animal ornaments, may be figuring the 12 shios from the Chinese mythology. This is a perfect place for a Chinese craving food person, or you can just simply enjoy the beauty of the Chinese style with red lanterns.

  • 5/5 Jatheish K. 1 year ago on Google
    A small but conveniently located 'Chinatown' in Kobe. Great place to try a lot of street food for super affordable prices :)

  • 4/5 Gareth M. 1 year ago on Google
    Attractive area with lots of shops, restaurants and street food stands. All easily accessible from the metro system and Shinkansen station. One of the largest chinatowns in all Japan, the streets were bedecked with Chinese gates, lanterns and colourful signage. Sadly, the popularity of some places and the lack of thought given to where queues would form mean that getting through certain sections became quite challenging and frustrating. Clearly roped off waiting sections would have improved my experience.

  • 5/5 Ting T. 1 year ago on Google
    In terms of the night atmosphere, Nankinmachi was decorated with many red lanterns during my visit and it certainly enhanced the shopping experience. Kobe Chinatown is not particularly huge but there are many shops, restaurants, and food stalls selling traditional steamed buns, dumplings, Kobe Beef, noodles, desserts, and many more. Nankinmachi is connected to Motomachi Shopping Street, a 1.2 Kilometre long covered street with many shops. Visitors can find almost anything here such as all kinds of food, snacks, clothing, and accessories. Nankinmachi also is known as Kobe Chinatown is located in central Kobe. The nearest railway station to Kobe Chinatown is Motomachi Station. The station is within walking distance to Nankinmachi and approximately 5 minutes walk from the south of the station.

  • 4/5 Richard P. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice area to walk around with lots of stalls to buy dumplings or buns to eat. Very busy area that had restaurants and snack options every every couple of meters!

  • 4/5 Alexandros P. 1 year ago on Google
    This small square in the middle of Chinatown looks pretty nice in the evening with the colorful lights. The statues around the square depict the Chinese signs. There are benches to sit and take a break from walking through Chinatown.

  • 4/5 S B. 2 years ago on Google
    I'm racially Chinese so this place made me feel nostalgic for certain tastes and smells. Many stalls were serving mostly the same foods but overall it was fun looking for the best prices. Best to eat your food right in front of the stall you bought it from so they can take your rubbish as there are no bins around.


Call +81 78-332-2896 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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