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Weathercock House
（Source：pixta）
Weathercock House is a National Important Cultural Property in Kitano area in Kobe city formerly used as a residence of a German trader. The house designed by a German architect in 1904 is impressive with its dark shade of traditional German red bricks and weathercock on the steeple overlooking the town of Kitano. The interior of the house is a display of the lifestyle during olden days. This Western-style building with an exotic mood is now a landmark in Kitano that attracts many visitors every day.
- Address
- 3-13-3 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
- Contact No.
- +81-78-242-3223
- Access
- Get off at Sannomiya station. Walk for 15 minutes.
- Opening Hours / Holidays
- 9:00-18:00
Closed: first Tuesday on June and February (the next day when it falls on a holiday) - Official Website
- http://www.kobe-kazamidori.com/kazamidori/
- Time Required
- 30 minutes
- Admission fee
- Admission fee: 500 yen
- Other Information
- Pamphlets are available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
※ Some information is displayed in Japanese and machine-translated English, which may not be accurate.
For the latest information, please check the official website for each spot.
（Source：pixta）
Beautiful Building Draws Attention
Weathercock House is a beautiful German-style building made of bricks. The weathercock on the steeple overlooking the town of Kobe is the origin of the building’s name. Come and see its magnificent appearance.
（Source：pixta）
Rooms that Show the Lifestyle of the Time
All of the rooms including the study, living room, kitchen and others project a stately atmosphere of German-traditional style. Each area is fully furnished and meticulously displayed. The whole building shows a fairy-tale atmosphere as if it emerged out of a picture book.
（Source：pixta）
Shop in the Building
The shop in the building sells original goods of Weathercock House, antique accessories, glass crafts, coasters, German wooden crafts and so on. These retro and exotic items make for good souvenirs.
（Source：facebook）
Kitano-cho Plaza
The base for sightseeing of Kitano, ”Kitano-cho plaza” is just in front of Weathercock House. It overlooks the town of Kobe for it is located on top of Kitanozaka slope. Next to it is a tourist information center where guide maps and pamphlets of “Ijinkan” (former residences of early foreign settlers) are available. You can see street performances on holidays.
（Source：pixta）
Kitano Ijinkan District
Ijinkan district is an area where you can see a number of buildings used as residences for foreigners until the 1940s. Those buildings have reconstructed and some are open to visitors to take a tour and others are used as cafes or restaurants. Enjoy looking around these buildings as well as Weathercock House.
（Source：pixta）
（Source：pixta）
Starbucks Kobe Kitano Ijinkan
The building for Starbucks Kobe Kitano Ijinkan was originally built in 1907. It was relocated and rebuilt after the Great Hanshin Earthquake. It is now registered as a tangible cultural property. Inside, the building is thoughtfully furnished and offers a special atmosphere you can only feel here.
（Source：youtube）