photo by whity
Thanks to today’s advanced public transport systems, Japan is now connected to countries around the world. But in the old times, people hardly had opportunities to meet foreign people and culture because of limited means of traffic. Even in such times, Japan had international relations with countries to become present Korea and China. Especially, the country which is now Korea was locates in the most convenient location for sea travel, therefore had come and gone since ancient times. This is why there are many Korean towns in Japan.
Taito-ku, Tokyo: Higashi Ueno Korean Town
You may first think of Shin-Okubo for a famous Korean town in Tokyo. But this Korean town in Higashi Ueno, Taito-ku is the oldest one of Tokyo. It is located on the south east of JR Ueno station, in the middle of between Asakusa-Dori and Kasuga-Dori. There are lots of butcher shops and barbecue restaurants in this area. Amid the turbulent period after the second world war, Korean diners, clothing shops, eateries and other shops gathered in this area and the community developed into the present Higashi-Ueno Korean Town. The narrow alleys between houses remind you of the nostalgic atmosphere of post-war community.
Higashi Ueno Korean Town
Access: 6 minutes towards Kasuga-Dori from Hirokoji exit of JR Ueno station, 3 minutes from exit #3 of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Ginza Line
Yokohama city, Kanagawa: Fukutomi-cho Kokusai Dori
Yokohama is very famous for the China town, but there also is a Korean town. Fukutomi-cho Kokusai Dori shopping street has many shops including Korean grocers and restaurants. You can purchase kimch, fresh meat, Korean snacks, instant food and many more Korean food and goods at grocers open which open in the morning. Restaurants normally open from late afternoon, but some open for lunch time.
Fukutomi-cho Kokusai Dori
Access: 9 minutes from JR Kan-nai station
Nagoya city, Aichi: Nagoya Station West Exit (Nakamura-ku)
On the west side of JR Nagoya station which is the largest railway station and the gate way of Chubu region, many Korean people reside forming Korean town. There are many shops that sell Korean grocery and drinks, as well as restaurants, not just barbeque restaurants but cafes, Korean home cooking diners, and many more. This area is on the other side of the street in front of the west exit of Nagoya station, very handy to access.
Nagoya Station West Exit (Nakamura-ku)
Access: Short walk from JR Nagoya station
Osaka city, Osaka: Tsuruhashi/Ikuno Korean Town
The two largest Korean town of Osaka are Tsuruhashi Korean Town and Ikuno Korean Town in Ikuno-ku. These two places are located close to each other, so you can walk between them. Tsuruhashi Korean Town has an atmosphere that is very similar to genuine markets in Korea. There are many butchery shops, kimchi shops, clothing shops on a narrow street. Ikuno Korean Town, which is 5 minutes’ walk from Tsuruhashi, is consists of three shopping streets. The street is a lot wider than Tsuruhashi, and there are many cafes in addition to butchery shops, grocers and clothing shops.
Tsuruhashi Korean Town
Access: Shoer walk from JR/Kintetsu Tsuruhashi station
Ikuno Korean Town
15 minutes from JR/Kintetsu Tsuruhashi station and JR Momodani station
Shimonoseki city, Yamaguchi: Green Mall Shopping Street
Shimonoseki city, Yamagichi prefecture is located on the west end of the main island of Japan. This city has had a close connection with Busan city of South Korea by sea route, and there are many Korean national residents living in the city. Just have a short walk on the overhead bridge from the north exit of Shimonoseki station, then you will see the large colorful “Busan Gate”. Below the overhead bridge, there are many Korean restaurants including barbeque and Korean home cooking, as well as general shops. Green Mall shopping street is not a tourist’s spot; therefore, weekdays are busier than weekends.
Green Mall Shopping Street
Access: Short walk from JR Shimonoseki station
Anyoung haseyo!
Korea and Japan have had a close relation since old times. Korean-origin migrants in Japan also has a long history, and many families have been living in Japan for generations. This is why there are many Korean communities which are called Korean towns, living with Korean culture. Such communities have been developed based on peoples’ genuine lives, therefore many are not recognized as tourist destinations. In this column, only Tsuruhashi and Ikuno Korean Towns are sight seeing spots. So, things dealt in these areas are very similar to genuine Korean products. Enjoy Korea while you are in Japan!
