Kobe · Kitano
Kitano Ijinkan
The port of Kobe opened to trade in 1868, and the foreign merchants first lived in the settlement by the sea. When there was not enough room there, mainly from the late 80s of the 19th century, many of them moved to the Kitano slope, which looks out to the sea. According to the city, more than 200 Western-style houses were built here up to World War II, and about 16 of them are open to the public today.
The area became a tourist destination after the NHK television series 'Kazamidori' in 1977, and in 1980 it was declared a preservation district. The 1995 earthquake badly damaged the houses, and they were restored with help from the city and volunteers.
The two best-known houses belong to the city. The Weathercock House, a red-brick house built around 1909 for the German merchant Gottfried Thomas, is a national Important Cultural Property. The Moegi House, the green villa, was built in 1903 for Hunter Sharp, the US consul general. Most of the other houses are private, and some hold themed exhibitions.
Good to know
- The streets are free, and going into one or two houses is enough.
- The Weathercock House is closed on the third Tuesday of every month, and the Moegi House on the third Tuesday and Thursday of February.
- The Uroko House, named for a slate wall that looks like fish scales, is according to its operator the first house in Kobe opened to the public. The Platon Decorative Arts Museum is currently closed.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Kitano Ijinkan.
- HereKitano Ijinkan
- 1 min
Kitano Tenman Shrine More to see
A small shrine above the Weathercock House, which according to tradition was founded in 1180 by Taira no Kiyomori, and which gave the district its name. It is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. From the courtyard you see the city and the port. Free.
- ~3 min
Starbucks Kobe Kitano Ijinkan Cafe
A Starbucks in a two-story wooden house from 1907 that belonged to an American, registered as a cultural property. The house was taken apart after the 1995 earthquake and rebuilt here in 2001, and the rooms are furnished like a home.
- ~4 min
Ohel Shelomo Synagogue, Jewish Community of Kansai More to see
The oldest active synagogue in Japan, and the oldest Jewish community in the country.
- ~7 min
Freundlieb, Ikuta main store Food
A German bakery founded in Kobe in 1924, housed since 1999 in the former Kobe Union Church. A bread and cookie shop and a cafe inside the church building. Weekday lunch set from ¥2,200, roast beef sandwich ¥2,750.
- ~7 min
Kobe Nishimura Coffee, Nakayamate main store Cafe
It opened in 1948 with only three tables, and moved to its current location in 1952.
- ~11 min
Mouriya Honten Food
A steak restaurant working with Kobe beef since 1885. The cheapest Kobe beef lunch is a 120-gram rump steak at ¥8,020 including tax, with soup, salad, grilled vegetables and coffee. 50 seats on three floors, book ahead. Not kosher.
- ~11 min
Kobe Plaisir Food
A Kobe beef restaurant run by the local cooperative.
More in Kitano
Appears in: Kobe: the herb garden by ropeway, the foreigners' houses of Kitano, Chinatown and Kobe beef