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Motomachi 元町 | |
|---|---|
  Motomachi | |
| Coordinates:35°26′26″N139°38′59″E / 35.440425°N 139.649686°E /35.440425; 139.649686 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Honshu |
| Prefecture | Kanagawa |
| City | Yokohama |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (JST) |
| Website | www |
Motomachi (元町,Motomachi) is a district inNaka Ward,Yokohama, Japan. It is situated immediately west ofYamate and east ofChinatown. The area features the Motomachi Shopping Street, which is a five-block-long stretch of boutiques and shops. It is known in Japan for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, distinctive fashion, and Western influences.
Motomachi was originally a quiet farming and fishing village until 1859, when thePort of Yokohama was opened. Since then, the nearbyKannai district became the foreigners' business district, and the adjacentYamate and Yamashitacho districts became the foreigners' residential districts. Situated in between Yamate to the east and Kannai and Yamashitacho to the west, Motomachi became frequented by many foreigners. Shops and businesses were opened, catering to the needs of foreigners.[1]
In the early years of theMeiji era, there was a notable increase in the foreign population in Motomachi. This influx brought about a growing Western influence, leading to the establishment of variouscafés,bakeries, andboutiques. These establishments were relatively uncommon in Japan at that time, and Motomachi played a role in introducing aspects of Western culture, contributing to the era known as "bunmei kaika," or cultural enlightenment. This marked the initial stages of what is now recognized as the Motomachi Shopping Street.
During the 1970s, the "Motomachi Shopping Street" became a catalyst for a unique fashion style known as "Hama tora" (short for "Yokohama traditional"). This style was popularized by renowned boutiques like Kitamura, Mihama, and Fukuzō, which were prominent in Motomachi's fashion scene at the time.[1][2][3]
Upon the opening of thePort of Yokohama in 1859, this area was calledMotomura (本村). The name was changed toMotomachi in 1860.[2]
Motomachi is zoned to Motomachi Elementary School (元街小学校), which caters to Minato Junior High School. (横浜市立港中学校).[3]
35°26′25″N139°38′53″E / 35.4403°N 139.648°E /35.4403; 139.648