Yotsugi: A Little Ethiopia in Tokyo

Ethiopia is a country in East Africa and is known as one of the largest coffee producers in the world. Though most Japanese have little idea about what Ethiopia is like, did you know that there is actually a small Ethiopian enclave in the Yotsugi district of Katsushika Ward in Tokyo?

In this article, we explore how Yotsugi became a Little Ethiopia, as well as introduce some recommended spots in the area

Why are there many Ethiopians living in Yotsugi

The formation of the Ethiopian community in Yotsugi is said to be related to the civil unrest in Ethiopia that began in 2005. At the time, disputes over the results of Ethiopian general election led to widespread protests. The government responded with force, killing many civilians and arresting the opposition leaders. As a result, many Ethiopians fled the country, some of them choosing to go to Japan as refugees. Other Ethiopians who were already working in Japan became unable to return home.

With little Japanese language proficiency, many Ethiopians who fled to Japan found it hard to find suitable work and housing. When one of them met an amicable landlord who provided housing in Yotsugi, other Ethiopians began to gather in the same neighborhood. Many of them found blue-collar work in the small factories in the area, as Japanese language proficiency was not essential.

How Yotsugi became a Little Ethiopia

Initially, the Ethiopian community in Yotsugi did not have much cohesion, with the people gathering for feasts just around once a year. But many of them were unaccustomed to life in Japan, and they struggled with matters like medical care and schooling for children. Then in 2009, a nonprofit organization called Adeyababa Ethiopia Association was established in the neighborhood. The association assists Ethiopians with various labor and living issues, and also serves as a center for interaction and exchange with the local Japanese population. This made Yotsugi a more convenient neighborhood for Ethiopians, leading it to become a Little Ethiopia in Tokyo.

Recommended Spots in Yotsug

The following are some recommended spots in Yotsugi.

Recommended Residential Area for Ethiopian Resident

There are currently around 450 Ethiopians residing in Japan, with about 170 of them living in Tokyo. Around half of the Ethiopians in Tokyo live in the Yotsugi district in Katsushika Ward.

Recommended Shops in Yotsugi

The following are some recommended shops and restaurants in Yotsugi.

Little Ethiopia Restaurant & Bar Yotsugi

Little Ethiopia Restaurant and Bar Yotsugi is an Ethiopian restaurant located close to Yotsugi Station. It is run by an Ethiopian couple, and is frequented by Ethiopians as well as Japanese who live international cuisine.

The restaurant serves authentic Ethiopian dishes such as the staple food injera, a spongy flatbread made from teff grains. It is often served with a spicy stew called doro wat. The spiciness of the doro wat and the tartness of the injera mix to give a deep, compelling flavor. After your meal, you should also try Ethiopian coffee served in the Ethiopian way.

With an interior that is decorated like an Ethiopian cafe, and patrons that are almost always Ethiopian nationals, this restaurant will make you feel as if you were in Ethiopia.

Chukamenya Manmaru

Though not an Ethiopian establishment, Chukamenya Manmaru is a ramen shop loved by many Yotsugi locals, especially families with children. One of their popular dishes is the curry ramen and curry tsukemen, with a spiciness that even Ethiopians will love. Of course, the standard ramen fare of shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), and miso (soybean paste) ramen are also available. You can also choose to add various toppings such as corn kernels, garlic chips, cheese, kaiware sprouts, boiled eggs, and charsiu slices.

Other Recommended Spots and Event

The following are some recommended events in Yotsugi.

Ethiopian Cultural Events

The Adeyababa Ethiopia Association sometimes holds cultural exchange events for local residents. These events feature song and dance performances as well as Ethiopian food such as injera and coffee. Of course, many Ethiopians join the events, but more than half of the participants are actually Japanese, so it’s a good opportunity to mingle with the local community.

Katsushika Meat Festa

This event lets you try out around 100 different meat dishes offered by Katsushika Ward shops while walking around the venue. One of the participating shops is the Little Ethiopia Restaurant. Other popular shops include Persian which offers doner kebab, and Sasafune Donmaru where you can enjoy duck and whale meat. The dishes are sold cheaper than their usual prices, so it’s a must-join event for meat lovers.

Summary

In this article, we talked about the Little Ethiopia in Yotsugi, including its background and some recommended spots. The Yotsugi district in Katsushika Ward has the appeal of a working-class neighborhood, and is a popular residential area for both Ethiopians and Japanese. It also has convenient access to central Tokyo, and is located relatively close to the Tokyo Skytree. The Little Ethiopia in Yotsugi lets you experience Ethiopian cuisine and culture without leaving Japan.