Japanese style Ryokan in Arima Onsen
Motoyu Ryuusenkaku Hot Springs Resort

The birth of Nankinmachi is said to have begun with the opening of the Kobe port in 1867. At that time there were already a number of overseas living in the south area of Motomachi, and this caused businesses such as tailor shops, pork shops, Chinese medicine shops and restaurants to appear nearby.

In the beginning of the 20th century, customers from all over Japan began coming to Nankinmachi for the wide range of products causing people to say, “you can find anything at Nankinmachi.” Conditions suffered afterward with the bombing of Kobe during World War II and the subsequent destruction; however, in the 1980’s, there was a Nankinmachi revival with the area being given a Chinese motif that can be seen today. The prosperity in the area has recovered due to the Chinese New Year’s and Spring Welcoming festivals that have been increasingly gaining popularity nationwide.

[ Shunsetsu: Spring Festival 2015 in Kobe’s Chinatown ]