Written by TC Team
As part of the Chinese Spring Festival celebrations in Yokohama’s Chukagai (Chinatown), there will be a variety of traditional performance art on show.
What happens?
Since 1986, Yokohama’s Chinatown has hosted its own Spring Festival. The event features dazzling entertainment performances, called goraku hyōen, where you can enjoy traditional lion dances, martial arts displays, and more.
Adding to the excitement is the shukumai yūgyō, a celebratory parade in which performers clad in ornate costumes march through the streets.
There’s also the hongbao kuji, a raffle that combines the luck of the Chinese red envelopes, traditionally filled with money, with the fun of a lottery.
Schedule 2026
The program runs three times each day, with performances from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
On Sunday, February 22, performances begin at 12:10 p.m. with Peking Opera by the Yokohama Yamate Chinese School, followed at 12:30 p.m. by a martial arts demonstration from the All Japan Rouquan Federation. The main Spring Festival performances start at 1 p.m., opening with lion dances and traditional dance. Throughout the afternoon, highlights include Chinese acrobatics by the Zhang Hailun Acrobatic Troupe at 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., and Peking Opera performances at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The day wraps up with a special face-changing show at 5 p.m., a fast-paced traditional performance known for its rapid mask changes.
On Monday, February 23, the programme starts at 12:10 p.m. again, this time with a brass band performance by Minato Junior High School, followed by a traditional wellness and movement demonstration at 12:30 p.m. From 1 p.m. onward, lion dances, Chinese dance and acrobatics take turns on stage. Acrobatics performances take place at 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. again, while dance and music performances using traditional Chinese instruments run at 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The festival concludes again with the face-changing show at 5 p.m.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 317 m from Motomachi-Chūkagai Station Minatomirai Line (MM6)
- 0.6 km from Ishikawachō Station Negishi Line (JK4)
- 0.7 km from Nihon-ōdōri Station Minatomirai Line (MM5)
