Zenrimon (善隣門) is one of 6 gates Yokohama’s Chinatown. This gate is known as the Goodwill Gate as it was gifted to Chinatown from the city of Yokohama in February 1955 as a part of postwar reconstruction efforts.
The characters on the gate are written right to left (隣善仁親) and read as Shin-Jin-Zen-Rin in Japanese.
The four characters that were chosen can be translated as follows:
親 (shin): Closeness (like between a parent and child)
仁 (jin): Benevolence or compassion (among humanity)
善 (zen): Goodness
隣 (rin): Neighbors (local or global scale)
In the context of postwar reconstruction, the gate symbolizes a hope for peace and love among not only local citizenry, but also among the international community.
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Yokohama Chinatown
Famous places in KanagawaYokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan, located in Naka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Below we will introduce the characteristics and charms of Yokohama Chinatown.
1. Various restaurants
There are many Chinese restaurants, and you can enjoy a variety of Chinese cuisine, including Beijing cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, and Shanghai cuisine. There are a variety of restaurants dotted around the area, from famous restaurants to food stalls.
2. Historical atmosphere
Yokohama Chinatown retains its historic streetscape, and is decorated with Chinese-style buildings, gates, and sculptures. You can feel the traditional atmosphere.
3. Events and festivals
Various events and festivals are held here, so you can enjoy them all year round. Festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival are especially lively.
4. Souvenirs and shopping
Chinatown is full of stores that sell Chinese miscellaneous goods, souvenirs, accessories, ingredients, and more, so you can enjoy shopping.
5. Tourist spots
There are many sightseeing spots in Yokohama around Chinatown, including the Red Brick Warehouse and Yamashita Park, which are worth visiting.