Kitano

Kobe

Kitano which includes street scenes, a city and shopping
Kitano
Kitano
Kitano showing street scenes and a city
Kitano
Discover museums, cafés and shops in this pleasant hilltop neighborhood, featuring mansions from the early 1900s displaying distinctive Western-style architecture.

Walk around the hilltop district of Kitano and discover a different side of Kobe. Instead of Japanese architecture, this neighborhood holds abundant Western-style residences, former homes of early 20th-century foreign diplomats and traders. Many have been preserved as museums. Between the grand residences, find trendy cafés, restaurants and small shops.

When Kobe port opened itself to the outside world, American and European traders flocked to the city. At the top of Yamate Hill, they built luxury homes in the unique architectural styles of their homelands, creating this truly international neighborhood. Known in Japan as ijinkan, the houses all exude their own characters. See some of the dozen remaining homes open to the public, now preserved by the local government.

Visit Kazamidori-no-yakata, or the Weathercock House, with a rooftop weathervane that has become a symbol of Kitano. The imposing red-brick building, one of the most elaborate ijinkan, was built by a German trader in the early 1900s. Inside, discover mixed German architectural styles, some of which resemble a medieval castle.

Tour through Europe as you visit the English House, which is a museum during the day and a pub at night. The French House features ornate antiques including stained-glass Tiffany lamps. Create your own perfume inside the workshop at the Dutch House, which is filled with curious Dutch antiques. Enter the taxidermy world of Ben’s House, where stuffed animals include a tiger, a moose and a polar bear.

Relax inside chic cafés and restaurants tucked inside or between the houses and soak up the nostalgic atmosphere of bygone days. Peruse the area’s antique shops, high-end souvenir shops and stylish boutiques.

Kitano is a short uphill walk from San-no-miya and Shin-Kobe stations. The district is small and easily navigable on foot. Pay the fees to enter the houses and save money by opting for combined or passport tickets, granting entry into multiple houses. Come to Kitano to see what daily life was like for the wealthy families who moved across the world to Kobe.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Kitano

ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe by IHG
ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe by IHG
5 out of 5
1-Chome, Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo-ken
The price is P3,742 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P3,742
P5,302 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kobe. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
In line with Crowne Plazas world-wide
"Great amenities as an IHG hotel. Right in the train station so it couldn't be more convenient. Everything perfect. Seems like it's been a while since it's had a refresh and at some point could use new carpeting in the halls, but generally a lovely convenient place. Great gym. I was excited about ..."

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025

ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe by IHG
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
3 out of 5
1-2-13 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P4,116 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
P4,116
P4,980 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 24 - Mar 25
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Tsutenkaku Tower are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (670 reviews)
"Great!"

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P8,038 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
P8,038
P9,726 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 17 - Mar 18
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,072 reviews)
"Great location by Osaka station. Accessible to JR and Shinkansen trains. Hotel is modern and good sized rooms for Japan. Very large bathrooms with very oversized showers. Breakfast buffet option was great - lots of choices and pretty good quality food."

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda Eki Tower
3 out of 5
2-8-32 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P3,540 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P3,540
P4,284 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,371 reviews)
"Self-check-in with machine giving your room key was seamless to do. Automated baggage check was cool too. Staff very helpful."

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda Eki Tower
Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
4 out of 5
1-12-8 Sonezakishinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P5,310 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P5,310
P6,717 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,288 reviews)
"From the moment we stepped into the hotel it was top tier! Staff were amazing and the facilities were clean and easy to get to!"

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
3.5 out of 5
1-1-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is P3,167 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P3,167
P3,831 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,757 reviews)
"Unbeatable location"

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2025

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Kitano

Kobe showing a city and street scenes

Chuo Ward

Travelers choose Chuo Ward for its waterfront views. Hop aboard the metro at Shinkobe Station or Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station and check out top sights like Nunobiki Herb Park.

Chuo Ward
Sannomiya featuring road cycling, signage and street scenes

Sannomiya

Spend some time visiting places like Ikuta Shrine while getting to know Sannomiya, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station or Boeki Center Station to see more of the area.

Sannomiya
Kobe Tower showing a bay or harbor, a city and a high rise building

Kobe City Centre

Consider exploring the waterfront views in Kobe City Centre. If sightseeing is on the list, Ikuta Shrine is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae Station or Motomachi Station to see more of the area.

Kobe City Centre
Chinatown featuring a city, street scenes and markets

Nankin-machi

Unique features of Nankin-machi include the coffeehouses and shopping. Make a stop by Motomachi Shopping Street or Nankinmachi Square while you're exploring the area.

Nankin-machi
Kobe Tower showing cbd, modern architecture and skyline

Hatobacho

If you're spending some time in Hatobacho, Kawasaki Good Times World and Kobe Tower are top sights worth seeing.

Hatobacho
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Shinkaichi

While there might not be top attractions in Shinkaichi, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kobe Culture Hall and Kobe Harborland.

Shinkaichi

Kitano