Nankin-machi is located in Motomachi, a Chinatown in central Kobe. There are three archways, Changan Gate in the east, Xian Gate in the west, and Nanluo Gate in the south. The northern entrance does not have an archway but is guarded by a pair of lions.

Many restaurants and food stalls line the main street selling fried chicken, pork and chicken buns, gyoza dumplings, noodle dishes, sesame balls, as well as Chinese shops filled with souvenirs and clothes.