Kitano

Kobe

Kitano showing street scenes, shopping and a city
Kitano
Kitano
Kitano which includes a city and street scenes
Kitano

Discover museums, cafés and shops in this pleasant hilltop neighbourhood, 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 €67 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€67
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (2,309 reviews)
"Bed is comfortable and the staffs are very attentive with your needs!"

Reviewed on 8 Aug 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 €110 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€110
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (2,221 reviews)
"Great hotel. Free breakfast is very good. Clean hotel. Helpful laundry."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 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 €120 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
€120
2 Sept - 3 Sept
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! (4,664 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 6 Aug 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 3 Aug 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 7 Aug 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
Fully refundable
The price is €48 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€48
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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 6 Aug 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 which includes a city and street scenes

Chuo Ward

You might take some time to check out the waterfront views in Chuo Ward. Spend some time visiting top spots like Ikuta Shrine, and catch the metro at Shinkobe Station or Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station to see more of the area.

Chuo Ward
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Sannomiya

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

Travellers choose Sannomiya for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station or Boeki Center Station and check out top sights like Ikuta Shrine.

Sannomiya
Kobe Tower which includes night scenes, a high-rise building and street scenes

Kobe City Centre

5/5(21 area reviews)

Travellers choose Kobe City Centre for its captivating waterfront views. Hop aboard the metro at Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae Station or Motomachi Station and check out top sights like Ikuta Shrine.

Kobe City Centre
Chinatown which includes a city, street scenes and signage

Nankin-machi

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

Nankin-machi
Kobe Tower showing a city, skyline and city views

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

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