Motomachi was originally a quiet farming and fishing village until 1859, when the Port of Yokohama was opened.

[1] In the early years of the Meiji era, there was a notable increase in the foreign population in Motomachi.

This influx brought about a growing Western influence, leading to the establishment of various cafés, bakeries, and boutiques.

During the 1970s, the "Motomachi Shopping Street" became a catalyst for a unique fashion style known as "Hama tora" (short for "Yokohama traditional").

This style was popularized by renowned boutiques like Kitamura, Mihama, and Fukuzō, which were prominent in Motomachi's fashion scene at the time.