What to know
Kitano-cho (北野町, Kitanochō) is a neighborhood at the base of the Rokko Mountains where foreign merchants and diplomats settled after Kobe's port opened to international trade in the late 1800s. Over a dozen former mansions, known as Ijinkan, have been preserved and are open to the public as museums.
Most houses charge an entry fee of 550–880 yen, and combination tickets let you visit multiple houses. The whole area is pleasant for strolling, with cafes, restaurants, and boutiques that make it popular with young couples.
Below is a list of some of the most interesting houses:
Kitano-cho is about a 10–15 minute walk from either Sannomiya or Shin-Kobe Stations.
Various combination tickets for different sets of houses are available, covering 3–7 houses and costing from 1500 to 3300 yen. They can be purchased at participating houses and ticket desks around the district.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 880 yen (~$5.63) (also available as part of a combination ticket)
- English name
- Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai
- Original name
- Kitano-cho
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.