Long ago Senju Kotobuki cho was a swamp. Then it became a bustling center of activity. The port of Yokohama opened to foreign trade. This brought many day laborers to Senju Kotobuki cho. They came seeking work. They needed a place to live.
Senju Kotobuki cho’s auspicious name meant good fortune and longevity. It was a fitting name. However the reality was harsher. The area became known as one of Japan’s three main slums. It was alongside Sanya in Tokyo and Kamagasaki in Osaka.
Life in Senju Kotobuki cho was tough. Many workers lived in dosshouses. They drank in bars and izakayas. They often slept outdoors. The yakuza were present. They introduced crime and drugs. The area became known as Western City. It evoked the Wild West of cowboy movies.
The 1960s brought economic growth. However this didn’t solve Senju Kotobuki cho’s problems. The demand for day laborers increased. So did the population. Koreans and Filipinos moved in. The area became more diverse. Poverty and discrimination remained.
Film director Ogawa Shinsuke documented Senju Kotobuki cho’s harsh realities. His film Heigh-ho Kotobuki City of Free Workers showed poverty and crime. It also showed the community’s resilience. Senju Kotobuki cho was a home for many foreigners. It was a place they found belonging.
The economic bubble burst in the late 1980s. Dock work became automated. Jobs disappeared. Many left Senju Kotobuki cho. Those who remained were mostly elderly. The character of the area changed. It went from a place of rough laborers to a quieter community of pensioners.
Today Senju Kotobuki cho is a different place. It’s quieter. Crime is low. There are welfare centers and cheap hotels. Budget travelers are drawn to the cheap accommodation. The area has a unique atmosphere. It’s a mix of old and new. It retains a sense of its past life. Senju Kotobuki cho continues to evolve. It’s a testament to its resilience and unique history.