Kitano Ijinkan Street

At the foot of the Rokko mountain range, there is a small city, Kitano-cho. It is a city where many foreign merchants and diplomats settled after the Port of Kobe was opened to foreign trade in the second half of the 19th century. More than a dozen of the former mansions, known as Ijinkan, remain in the area and are open to the public as museums.

Most of the houses charge an admission fee between 550 to 750 yen, while combination tickets are available to see multiple houses. It is worth to spend a half day having walk through the area and dropping by varieties of cafes, restaurants and boutiques, making it a favorite among young Japanese couples.

There are a lot of western-like houses that attract tourists visiting Kitano area. This is the map for more details that shows the houses.

①Kitano-cho Plaza

There is a bronze statue in Kitano-cho Plaza which symbolizes western culture oriented town. This is one of the photo spots that young couples are attracted. 

②Weather Cock House

Looking up to the mountains from the Kitano-cho Plaza, an orange house catches your eyes. This is one of the "National important cultural properties".

③Uroko House

This is the first museum opened in Kobe, which has become one of the registered tangible cultural properties. The name "Uroko" meaning a scale comes from the scale like walls of the museum. 

In front of the building, there is a bronze wild boar statue. It is called ”Calidon no Inoshishi" named after one of the Gods from Greek myth. It is said that touching its nose has good luck and a lot of people visit there. 

➃English House 

Walking through Kitano Street, you could see the western style houses including English House, French House and Ben's house. 

This house uses the theme of "Sherlock Homes" and visitors could feel the atmosphere of old British and the Homes World. 
The huts and coats can be rented for free which enriches your experience. 

⑤Kitano Starbucks

After a walk around the museums, there is a good place to have a rest. The Starbucks in Kitano has unique that any other Starbucks have. 

This was renovated from the a hundred years old house owned by an American. This Starbucks features Kobe as a city where foreigners settled down.

⑥Kobe Trick Art

A couple welcome you in the entrance of the trick art museum. Take pictures, and sharing with your friends should be exciting! From families with children to couples in any ages can enjoy the museum.

There are other hidden spots that you could feel the old western culture developed in Kobe.