Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi) — Compact Chinese Quarter

**Street food strategy:** Arrive hungry around 11:30 or 17:00 when food is freshest. Top picks: Roushouki (老祥記, legendary pork buns since 1915, ¥120 each, expect 20-min line), Yuenki (友園, soup dumplings ¥600/6 pieces), and Ganso Gyoza En (元祖餃子苑, pan-fried dumplings ¥350). Buy from multiple stalls and eat while walking — the district encourages tasting culture. **Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year):** Mid-January to February (dates vary yearly) brings massive festivals: lion dance parades, firecracker displays (safe pyrotechnic performances), and special menus at restaurants. The main square becomes a stage for acrobatics and music. Arrive early afternoon (13:00) for parade viewing — crowds triple but atmosphere justifies the congestion. **Comparison to Yokohama Chinatown:** Nankinmachi is 1/5th the size of Yokohama's Chinatown, making it walkable in 30 minutes versus 2 hours. Kobe's version feels more authentic and locally-oriented — fewer tourist traps, more Chinese residents shopping for groceries. If visiting both cities, Kobe offers intimate Chinatown experience while Yokohama provides spectacle and variety.