Japan town in Ho Chi Minh City – Where oriental cultures meet

There are 4 little foreign towns in Saigon, are Japan Town, China Town, Western Town, and Korea Town. It's not only about human, but also about cultures that have found a home here. Among them, Japan Town stands out, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern Japanese culture right in the heart of Saigon.

A very unique Japan Town in town

Japan Town is considered a miniature version of Japan right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Spanning less than 2km, it consists of alleys intersecting between the bustling streets of Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung. Saigon’s Japan Town offers visitors a space filled with Japanese essence, from architecture to cuisine and various enticing entertainment activities. With its rapid development, this very much Japanese neighbourhood has become a favourite destination for the local youth, the food lovers and also Japan culture enthusiasts.

The Japan Town is referred to as the 'Japanese district' not only because of its unique Japanese architecture but also because it is home to over 300 Japanese residents. Therefore, this area preserves the distinctive culture of Japan, especially cleanliness and tranquillity. Moreover, the streets are adorned with signs, lights, and music in the Japanese style, creating a feeling as if stepping into a lively street in Tokyo or Kyoto.

Immerse into the Japanese lifestyle right in the middle of Saigon

Every corner in Saigon's Japan Town boasts unique Japanese-inspired architecture, creating a sensation of being in a traditional Japanese village. From wooden signs hanging throughout the neighbourhood to the bamboo curtains, characteristic rolling doors with earthy tones, or lanterns in white, red, and black hues swaying in the wind, all contribute to a serene Japanese atmosphere. Without bilingual Japanese-Vietnamese signs, you might mistake it for being in the land of the cherry blossoms.

A notable feature of Saigon’s Japan Town is the presence of high-quality Japanese shops and restaurants. Here, you can find traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, ramen, tempura, sukiyaki, and popular Japanese-style cafes designed to provide a relaxing, peaceful, and cosy atmosphere.

While most of the dining areas in the city are usually vibrant and crowded, with open bars and street food hawkers on the sidewalks, Japan Town is the opposite. It offers a quiet and gentle ambiance, without the hustle and bustle; visitors only hear inviting greetings, footsteps, and light conversations. 

Things to do in Saigon’s Japan Town

It’s not difficult to walk from any spots in District 1 to Japan Town, or else, you can get a taxi or a car hailing service. Japan Town is a crowded area with limited space, enter the area from either Thai Van Lung or Le Thanh Ton street, the most busy lanes lay between Alley 15B Le Thanh Ton to Alley 8 Thai Van Lung.

The most common question will be what to eat in Japan town? Precisely, when you visit the area, you cannot miss the opportunity to savour exquisite Japanese cuisine. Saigon’s Japan Town is home to many Japanese families, so you'll enjoy authentic Japanese dishes prepared by Japanese chefs. Moreover, a large portion of the customers here are Japanese expats living and working in Vietnam who come to rediscover the taste of their homeland. Restaurants and eateries in Saigon’s Japan Town promise to provide visitors with an excellent culinary experience.

Carrying the lifestyle of Japanese white-collars, the restaurants here usually open late, with lunch hours from 11am to 2pm and becoming lively from around dawn. Most eateries close at 10pm, but some bars may operate until 1am. If you want to explore the area in the early morning, it may be challenging to find open restaurants. Therefore, if you plan to enjoy Japanese cuisine here, it's advisable to check in advance and choose a suitable time to visit.

It’s pretty easy to find a decent hotel in Japan Town with all the range of services and standards. Silverland Hospitality has 3 of our hotels locate in the neighbourhood, which are Silverland Sakyo Hotel (Address: 10A-B-C Le Thanh Ton street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1), Silverland Sil Hotel (Address: 20-22-24 Thai Van Lung street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1) and Silverland May Hotel (Address: 28-30 Thi Sach street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1)

There is also a Little Japan Town in Saigon

Besides the already well-known Japanese Town, there is another so-called Little Japan Town that is rising among Japanese as well as local Vietnamese communities. Despite being established only in the last 3-4 years, the Japanese street in Binh Thanh District, which is just about a kilometre from the original Japan Town, has become a hot spot eagerly embraced by the young generation, similar to Japan Town in District 1. Located along Pham Viet Chanh Street, it features around 20 restaurants, eateries, and accompanying services catering to the needs of the local Japanese community. Like the Japanese Town in District 1, you'll be surprised by the architecture here, reminiscent of cherry blossom land, with transparent glass or thin fabric signs allowing a glimpse inside the shops, and eye-catching lanterns decorating the storefront. 

What sets these establishments apart is their diverse offerings, not only serving Japanese cuisine but also blending Vietnamese-Japanese, Chinese-Japanese, and Western-Japanese cuisines to satisfy the tastes of all diners. In addition to eateries, this area also provides other services such as Japanese convenience stores, laundry services, apartment rentals, etc., at relatively affordable prices compared to District 1, making it a popular residence for many Japanese expatriates. The Little Japan Town in Binh Thanh District promises to be a fascinating cultural destination, offering you exciting experiences when visiting Saigon.