Japanese culture has a huge influence on Bangkok.

Apart from learning about Thai culture and cuisine, foreigners visiting the country can also explore many other Asian cultures, including Japanese. This offers a broader appeal, not just for food lovers but also for adventurers. For those seeking to experience the diversity of Japanese culture, without having to travel across the continent, Bangkok is home to some diverse neighbourhoods, where one can experience everything, from culture to cuisine.

According to statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are 78,431 Japanese citizens residing in Thailand, as of October 2022. Therefore, a number of “Japanese Towns” have developed to meet the needs of the many Japanese people living in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area.

One such is “Harajuku Thailand”, which is described as a vintage Japanese market in Bangkok’s Nong Chok area. A variety of stores have opened in this neighbourhood to serve Japanese people living in Thailand.

The Japanese atmosphere is evident, from the signage to the people in the surrounding area. A small community mall on the ground floor sells goods imported from Japan and packages tours of Thailand for Japanese people. Upstairs, you will find a number of dessert shops, cafes and restaurants. Along both sides of the alley are Japanese restaurants, such as the original ramen restaurant from Osaka, and Japanese-style bakeries.

The Japanese theme is completed by Japanese used bookshops and a supermarket that features imported products from Japan.

Thailand and Japan have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 135 years. The two countries are considered important economic allies, as Japan is always ranked as Thailand’s top investor, with about 6,000 Japanese businesses, accounting for a third of the country’s foreign direct investment.

BY THI DIEU LINH NGUYEN, THAIPBS WORLD