🗺️ Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown

During the Edo period, trade between Nagasaki and China was quite prosperous. This reclaimed land is known as Shinchikuzō, used for constructing warehouses to store goods from Chinese merchant ships. Today, a monument marking the site of Shinchikuzō stands in the center of Chinatown. At each of the four entrances to Shinchikuchūkai, magnificent red Chinese gates, known as Chūgamon, stand tall, built with materials and craftsmen from Fuzhou, China. The roofs are made with Chinese tiles and are positioned according to feng shui in the correct cardinal directions. The northern Genbu Gate calls for water, while the southern Suzaku Gate summons wind. In the northeastern direction of the demon gate lies the Chongfu Temple of the Overseas Chinese, which helps to ward off evil spirits. Shinchikuchūkai is renowned alongside Kobe and Yokohama as one of Japan's three major Chinatowns. Although smaller in scale, it features about 40 shops along a crossroad approximately 250 meters long, offering Chinese cuisine, Chinese desserts, and Chinese groceries. Visitors can enjoy Nagasaki's famous Champon noodles, Nagasaki Sara Udon, deep-fried shrimp toast known as "Ebi Toast," and "Kakuni Manju," which is a bun filled with tender braised pork, all while relishing the joy of eating on the go.

Crossing through the South Gate leads to the main venue for the Lantern Festival, Minato Park. Shops are adorned with items representing auspicious symbols in China, such as Fu Lu Shou, pine, bamboo, plum, and dragons. The Chinese dessert "Mahua" and the Chinese-style steamed cake "Mala Cake" are also popular delicacies. Inside the Zhonghua Gate, the door gods Qinglong, Baihu, Xuanwu, and Zhuque are carved. During the Lantern Festival, various colorful lanterns are used for decoration.