The Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 is remembered as one of the most devastating natural disasters in Japanese history, counting well over 100,000 casualties in and around Tokyo. The port city of Yokohama was also badly hit by the earthquake. Of the casualties in Yokohama, 28 were merchants of Indian origin living in the Yamashita district, who had mainly exported silk and fabrics abroad. Afterward, the citizens of Yokohama helped the survivors restore their homes.
In 1930, the city established a public park on the site of a debris dumping ground, which would later be one of its top tourist attractions: Yamashita Park. To thank those who helped them stand back up, the Indians of Yamashita erected a drinking fountain in 1939, donating it to the park.
This “Indian Drinking Fountain” is built in a style reminiscent of Mughal-period structures, combining elements of Indian, Islamic, and Japanese architecture. The historic monument was recently restored from 2022 to 2023.
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