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

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 P3,497 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P3,497
P4,232 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,239 reviews)
"The place was really cool! There was a small fee if you wanted to use the pool, but my room was cozy and had everything I needed."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi

3 out of 5
2-4-10, Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P3,587 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P3,587
P3,946 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Great location and value. Hotel is older and bathroom smells of sewage. It is clean though, just old; it might be due to ventilation issues. No smart tv."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

4 out of 5
1-12-8 Sonezakishinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,090 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P5,090
P6,607 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (1,665 reviews)
"location was great"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P6,780 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
P6,780
P7,458 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,207 reviews)
"Nice and basic hotel. The room was clean but quite small for 4 members family. Good fit if you're traveling on a budget"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA

4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P6,457 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,457
P7,813 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (4,628 reviews)
"A very hotel with a lot of tourists . Superb location however it is very packed . Standard small Japan hotel size."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE 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
Fully refundable
The price is P2,732 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P2,732
P3,306 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
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! (2,026 reviews)
"Location is perfect! Lobby was chaotic, too much customers, it seems like there was always a tour group. Building needs to get updated."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 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 featuring 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 Ikuta Shrine.

Chuo Ward
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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 modern architecture, a city and street scenes

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 which includes markets, street scenes and a city

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 which includes modern architecture, a sunset and central business district

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 Harborland and Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall.

Shinkaichi

Kitano