Kitano Ijinkan Area ［北野異人館街］

Kitano Ijinkan Area

In Kitano located on a hill overlooking the port in the northern part of the city of Kobe, a number of Ijinkan (western-style residences for foreign settlers) built during the Meiji era can be found which continue depicting the atmosphere of those days.
With the development of the city in the Meiji era after the opening of the Kobe Port in 1868, foreigners began visiting Kobe and many of them decided to live here which marked the start of Ijinkan and the foreign residential area they stood in. Back then, more than 200 Ijikan were built. Approximately 60 of those western architecture still remain today and a little over 20 Ijikan are opened to the public.
34 western architecture including the Line House and British Pavilion have been designated as traditional buildings for conservation and some are also designated as important cultural assets such as the Weathercock House and Moegi House. Each building has its own unique characteristic and offers many features.
Additionally, some of the Ijinkan have been made into coffeehouses or restaurants. With quite a number of stylish cafes and stores in the area as well, it is indeed a popular tourist spot in Kobe where you can experience the city's international culture and history filled with a multicultural atmosphere.

・Weathercock House (former residence of Mr. G. Thomas)
This is a house made of bricks famous for its weathercock that is placed on the rooftop. It is the only building with brick walls in the Kitano Ijinkan area and is designated as an important cultural asset. The weathercock on the rooftop has turned into a symbol of the area.

・Moegi House (former residence of H. Sharp, an American consul in Kobe)
Designated as an important cultural asset, this is a two-story wooden clapboard house with two different bay windows. Inside, the veranda and entrance hall have been restored and you can see that the wallpaper and tiles in each room as well as the fireplace's mantelpiece are all skillfully designed.

・Line House (former residence of Mrs. J. R. Drewell)
This is a two-story wooden clapboard house whose walls are coated with an oil-base paint. Its style is a characteristic one of the Ijinkan in the Meiji era with features such as the open veranda and bay windows. A lounge and souvenir corner are found inside where exhibits of Kitano Ijinkan area's history and disaster-related information are also displayed. This house is designated as a traditional building for conservation.