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 P3,412 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P3,412
P4,128 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (2,318 reviews)
"Great location handy to trains. Filtered cold and hot water available by elevator. Windows opened for ventilation and emergency exit. Rooms were air conditioned but hotel was not as walls were not enclosed. Able to experience Japanese onsen hot pools for free. Note surcharge for rooftop swimming ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is P6,614 per night from Sep 8 to Sep 9
P6,614
P7,275 total
Sep 8 - Sep 9
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! (2,227 reviews)
"I was very much impressed with the property and the location. Very clean and staff is very attentive. Easy to get the train and/or uber! Only down side is that the rooms were extremely small."

Reviewed on Aug 9, 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 P6,299 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
P6,299
P7,621 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
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! (4,668 reviews)
"The location of this property was great and lots of amenities nearby. The transit system is located nearby and you have ready access to restaurants and shopping."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi

3 out of 5
2-4-10, Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
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! (1,001 reviews)
"已第二次入住,性價比高,地點方便,房間整潔,會再次入住"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 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
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! (1,689 reviews)
"We had a little bit of a hard time finding the entrance to the property because it’s was on the side of the building in the alleyway but it was flanked by a Lawsons AND a Sugi Pharamcy (both of which we visited several times during our 4 day stay. The check in is on Floor 2 and staff was very friendly ..."

Reviewed on Aug 7, 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 P2,641 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P2,641
P3,195 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (2,039 reviews)
"I took a star off because the mini fridge they have in the room doesn't keep things cold or even cool, just somewhere above room temp. Yes, it did bother me enough to take a star off."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 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, Kobe Tower and Kawasaki Good Times World 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