The Chinatowns are often delimited by Chinese archways (paifang), large gates with two or more pillars supporting a roof structure. More than just marking the Chinatown’s area, these archways are also symbols of friendship, sometimes bearing inscriptions like “Friendship” or “Goodwill".

In the Kobe Chinatown - Nankinmachi - there are 3 paifang, located at the East, West and South entrances (the North entrance does not have a gate, but it is marked by a pair of Chinese lions). Here is the western entrance, the Xian Gate, photographed during a soft summer rain - I feel that the colors always look better in rain…

Xian Gate, Chinatown, Kobe

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Japanese Castle nicknames, the Carp Castle