Japan Trip 2008 – Day 9 of 11

We met Steve at Yokohama Chinatown today. He traveled from Gunma prefecture just to see us. The rain continued to fall this morning but eventually tapered off by the afternoon hours. We had lunch together and checked the famous Chinatown where it was flooded with visitors as it was the Golden Week. We also went to Motomachi to buy gifts and observe the retail establishments. It was nice to spend time with him who has been a good and old friend from Hawaii. We both became friends from surfing at Pops in Waikiki and continue to keep our friendship. Steve loves Japan and looks forward living there. However, he misses the Kona coffee, ahi pokes with ogo and the Hawaiian Host chocolates. I agree… It was fun meeting with you today.

At the Kitakurihama train station, as we waited to board the train to Yokohama Chinatown.

We got off at this station where those lamps signified you were in Chinatown.

Welcome to Yokohama Chinatown! Luckily, the rain stopped in the afternoon so everyone was able to walk freely.

Everything was nicely decorated and cleaner here.

The Chinese food was quite expensive compared to Chinese restaurants in U.S. Portion, smaller too.

Sweet and sour deep-fried wonton crisps with peas. This was good!

Stir fried noodles with sliced bamboos and green peppers.

Fried rice.

Sweet and sour shrimp.

Panda manapuas. There were lots of panda decorations throughout Chinatown.

Steve, Emiko and “Panda” Hello Kitty.

Me and Steve.

Steve and his favorite Hawaiian Host chocolates. The store was selling it. How much you ask? Let’s just say you can get it cheaper in Hawaii.

This was a very nostalgic moment when I saw a rickshaw in Japan’s Chinatown. You would never expect to see this but here it was. When I was living in Bangladesh, there were lots of rickshaws available and I used to always ride on them. I admit this was in a much better condition, mint condition perhaps. The guy was even well dressed and had pamphlets ready.

Motomachi area. There were lots of variation in terms of retail establishments. The last time I was here was about 4 years ago and shops have trended more to high end.

Hawaiian shop? Yup, there was one. The space between buildings were so tight as in this picture.

Daytime in Chinatown.

Nighttime in Chinatown. Always busy.

• See Yokohama Chinatown 2008 photos.