Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

The Sweet Smell of Exoticism: Celebrating 150 Years of Modernization

With over 3.6 million residents, Yokohama is the second-most populated city in Japan after Tokyo. Although it adjoins Tokyo, the city of Yokohama has its own unique identity that is quite different from that of Tokyo.  As in other port cities, you can see and feel a mixture of exotic elements from foreign cultures. Yokohama is international, much more so than Tokyo.

In 1859, the Tokugawa shogunate selected Yokohama as one of the Japanese port cities to be opened to certain foreign countries, after about 230 years of national seclusion.  Yokohama was more important than other opened port cities because it was closest to Edo, the base of the Tokugawa shogunate.  The opening of this port not only influenced Yokohama but also Japan itself.  After the event, public opinion was divided between those who supported “kaikoku” (opening the country) and “joui” (defeating foreign powers), and revolutionary sentiments were moving throughout the entire nation; some could accept the new ideology, but some could not.  Finally, this led to the Meiji Restoration and the overturning of the government’s foundation, driving Japan toward modernization.

The transformation of Yokohama corresponded with the development of modern society during the Meiji Era (1868–1912).  As a window to the world, the city imported tons of new items, ideas, and cultures along with the influx of many foreign business people.

Yokohama holds the distinction of being home to many “firsts”:  the first newspaper was published in Yokohama, the first hotel was opened in Yokohama, the first beer was brewed in Yokohama, and the first ice cream was sold in Yokohama.  But the people of Yokohama did not just accept foreign culture as it was, but rather incorporated it into their own Japanese culture.  Take “gyu-nabe” (beef hot pot), which was born in Yokohama, for example.  Although there was no prior tradition in Japan of eating beef, after Western influences arrived, Japanese started using this new ingredient in the traditional nabe  (hot pot) style of cooking.  Adding soy sauce, sake, sugar, and other ingredients, natives of Yokohama created a completely new dish. Japanese-style curry also became very popular in Yokohama.  The original curry came from India via England, but Japanese people altered its taste to adapt it to the Japanese culinary tradition.  Though it originated in China, ramen was said to have developed in Yokohama’s Chinatown.  As an incubator for new trends within Japan, Yokohama is regarded as a city open to new things, with residents who have a talent for creating new, slightly altered versions of imports.  This is one of the reasons Yokohama is often described as chic and refined as well as exotic.

In 2009, Yokohama celebrates the 150th anniversary of the opening of its port.  The city will host a five-month-long exposition, ”Kaikoku-Haku; Expo Y150,” from  April 28 to September 27.  The entire city will be the stage for numerous events and exhibitions, and three main areas will be set up: “Bay Side Area,” where people can enjoy interactive exhibitions, theater, events, and dining and shopping with a magnificent view; “Hill Side Area,” which allows visitors to see the natural beauty of highly populated Yokohama; and “Mother Port Area,” the commercial area that will have special events for visitors.  For more information about the exposition, go to the website: http://event.yokohama150.org/en/.

If you plan to travel to Japan this year, make sure to visit Yokohama to learn more about the history of Japan’s modernization, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city, and appreciate its unique food.

———– Reported by Noriko Komura

Chinatown is one of Yokohama’s landmarks and most popular tourist destination.  It was originally founded as the residential area for foreigners.

Yokohama Bay Bridge has been the symbol of the bay area since 1989.