Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, which began on Monday, is one of the most important holidays for China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and Mongolia. People celebrate the Chinese New Year in a much more lively manner than New Year in the Gregorian calendar. All over the world, in major cities, Chinatowns stage their own special celebrations.
Yokohama Chinatown in Japan has some exciting events this week. The countdown started just before midnight on Sunday. See video below.
Here is a guide to some events being held in Yokohama Chinatown through Feb 6.
Spring Festival Exhibition (Shunsetsu Tenrankai)
This festival features landmark decorations such as lions, dragons, lanterns and so on to make the mood more lively.
There is a small lion decoration which you can wear — good for souvenir pictures.
Venue: ChinaTown80 (See map below)
Spring Festival Amusement Performance (Shunsetsu Goraku Hyoen)
This spectacular Chinese traditional/cultural performance features a lion dance, dragon dance, Chinese acrobatics, among others at Yamashita Town Park.
Performance dates:
- 11:00-12:30/14:00-15:30 on January 28
- 10:30-12:00 on January 29
- 11:00-12:00/14:00-15:30 on February 4
- 11:00-12:30/14:00-15:30 on February 5
Venue: Yamashita Town Park (See map below)
Dance Parade (Shukumai Yukoh)
This solemn parade features participants wearing imperial and national costumes, while performing lion and dragon dances.
Date: 14:00-16:00 on January 29
Venue: Yamashita Town Park → Kanteibyo Street → Fukken Street → Seimon Dori (Eastern Gate Street) → Chinatown Main Street → Southern Gate Silk Road → Yamashita Town Park
Lantern Festival (Genshosetsu Toroh Sai)
“Genshosetsu” is the last day of the Spring Festival. People write their wishes and dreams on message candles and offer them to the Kantei and Maso goddesses to pray for peace of mind.
Date: 17:30-19:00 on February 6
Venue: Yokohama Masobyo
Spring Festival Children’s Painting Exhibition (Shunsetsu Kodomo Kaiga Ten)
The exhibition features paintings drawn by students of Yokohama Yamate Chinese school and Yokohama Overseas Chinese school.
Date: February 9 – February 19 (February 9 – 13 exhibits paintings drawn by students of Yokohama Overseas Chinese school/ February 15 – 19 exhibits paintings drawn by students of Yokohama Yamate Chinese school)
Venue: ChinaTown80
Source: Yokohama Chinatown