Chinatown’s New Year Arrives in FebruaryLion dances and “tsaiching” at Lunar New Year

Yokohama Chinatown’s busiest season is not the January New Year, but Lunar New Year, known in Japanese as Shunsetsu (春節).

The date changes every year

Lunar New Year is the first day of the traditional lunisolar calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. Its date on the Western calendar moves each year, falling on a new moon between late January and mid-February.

In 2027, Lunar New Year falls on February 6. In China, Taiwan and elsewhere, it is celebrated more lavishly than January 1.

Chinatown has celebrated since 1986

Yokohama Chinatown’s Lunar New Year events were started in 1986 by the Yokohama Chinatown Development Association, a cooperative of local shop owners. 2026 marked the 40th year.

In 2026, events ran for about two weeks, from New Year’s Day to the Lantern Festival.

Lions dance at shop fronts: “tsaiching”

On Lunar New Year’s Day, firecrackers and drums ring out across the district, and lions dance in front of shops. This is called tsaiching (採青).

The lion snatches a red gift envelope prepared by the shop and dances to wish the business prosperity. The name is said to come from the old custom of wrapping the envelope in leafy greens, a lion’s favorite food.

A parade and traditional performances

During the season, a celebratory night parade called Shukubu Yuko (祝舞遊行) winds through the streets, with people in imperial costumes, lion dances, dragon dances and Chinese dance.

At Yamashita-cho Park, traditional Chinese performing arts are staged as part of the festivities.

Lanterns close the season

The New Year season ends with the Lantern Festival, on the first full moon of the year. In 2026 it was held at Yokohama Masobyo, where lanterns carried thanks for the harvest and wishes for peace.

Before the New Year, the district is also decorated with lanterns, including a large dragon lantern over Chukagai-odori, the main street. The 2027 lantern illumination is scheduled from November 1, 2026 to February 20, 2027.

New Year customs at home

Chinese households hang red paper strips with lucky phrases (chunlian) and red lanterns at the entrance. Red is considered the color that invites good fortune.

Boiled dumplings are eaten on New Year’s Eve, because their shape resembles yuanbao, old ingots of money, a wish for wealth. Children receive red envelopes (hongbao), similar to Japanese otoshidama.

This article is an English edition of the Japanese original.