A popular sightseeing spot in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture is Kitano. When the port of Kobe opened, international trade became popular, at that time many foreigners lived in the Kitano area, in the foreign settlements. There are still some Western-style buildings where foreigners lived, and as such, the street is called "Kitano Ijinkan-Gai". In the Kitano area, besides atmospheric places like Kitano Ijinkan-Gai street, there are also fashionable grocery store and cafe which you can enjoy. Here are some of our recommended places to explore in the Kitano area.
The Kobe Kitano Museum Housed in A Historical Building
The Kobe Kitano Art Museum is an art museum located above a stone wall facing Kitano street in Chuo Ward, Hyogo Prefecture. The former US consular office building which is a historic building which now houses the facility of the Kobe Kitano Art Museum. It was built in 1898, and it was used as a US consular office building until 1978. After the war, it was reopened as the Kobe Kitano Art Museum since 1996. In addition to introducing the culture and history of the Kobe Kitano town, they also display works of artists who loved the hills of France and Montmartre, works of painters created at Place du Tertre (a square in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, France), exhibition which introduces the Montmartre area, sidewalk cafes and museum shop are also open.
Spot information
- Spot name: Kobe Kitano Museum
- Street address: 2-9-6, Kitano-cho, Chūō-ku, Kōbe, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0002
- Access: 15 minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station
Tourist Spots Scattered Around Kobe Kitano Ijinkan
Kitano Ijinkan-Gai is a popular tourist spot with many historic Western-style buildings nearby. After opening the port of Kobe in 1868, they welcomed many foreigners to Kitano-cho, Chuo Ward, Kobe City where the foreign settlement was. There are still many Western-style houses where foreigners lived at that time. A representative Western-style building with vibrant red brick exterior is Kobe's Weathercock House. The building also features a weather vane on the roof, hence the name. Besides that is the Uroko House (House of Scales) which also has impressive scale-shaped exterior walls and a beautiful natural slate roof. The some buildings in the Kitano Ijinkan-Gai is open to the public and you can visit to see the insides. In the building, antique furniture and furnishings are displayed in the hall, it is definitely worth seeing.
Spot information
Spot name: Kitano Ijinkan-Gai
- Street address: Kitano-cho, Chūō-ku, Kōbe
- Access: 15 minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station
Western-Style Kobe Kitano Hotels With Similar Atmosphere as the buildings in the Foreigner Settlement
The Kobe Kitano Hotel is conveniently located for those who want to go sightseeing in the Kitano area, about a 10-minute walk from the representative Ijinkan Weathercock House. There are 30 different types of rooms with the appearance and atmosphere of European style. They are comfortable and relaxing rooms furnished with British antique furniture. Guests can enjoy an elegant cuisine where carefully selected ingredients are cooked at the French restaurant in the hotel. As for European-style breakfast, lunch and dinner courses, you can enjoy them at the dining cafe. You can taste delicious French cuisine made from fresh ingredients whose flavours are brought out. Enjoy a stay at a fine hotel with a good hospitality and a good atmosphere.
Spot information
Spot name: Kobe Kitano Hotel
- Street address: 3-3-20 Yamamotodōri, Chūō-ku, Kōbe, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0003, Japan
- Access: 15 minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station
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