Kitano Travel Guide

Kobe

Kitano showing a city, shopping and street scenes
Kitano
Kitano
Kitano featuring a city and street scenes
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


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 ₹5,487 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹5,487
₹6,639 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,043 reviews)
"The gym wasn't good. Too expensive and difficult to access so no one used it."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 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
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, in-room massages and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,003 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 26 Jun 2025

Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ₹9,986 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
₹9,986
₹10,985 total
25 Jul - 26 Jul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,152 reviews)
"Good value"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
HOTEL UNIVERSAL PORT

HOTEL UNIVERSAL PORT

4 out of 5
1-1-111 Sakurajima, Konohana Ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,479 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
₹12,479
₹13,807 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,260 reviews)
"Great stay with fun themes and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

HOTEL UNIVERSAL PORT
Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

4 out of 5
1-12-8 Sonezakishinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ₹8,146 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹8,146
₹10,575 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,626 reviews)
"Very clean and wonderful amenities in the room. Definitely recommend staying here!"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
Bespoke Hotel Shinsaibashi

Bespoke Hotel Shinsaibashi

3.5 out of 5
2-6-25 Minamisenba, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ₹4,992 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹4,992
₹5,491 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (704 reviews)
"The hotel is great and huge!! The resting area near the front was aesthetic and modern. However, the hotel is a bit far from Dontonburi but it was not hard to get there. I would recommend this hotel for the larger rooms!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Bespoke Hotel Shinsaibashi
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

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 featuring a city, a skyscraper and modern architecture

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 markets, street scenes and a city

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 sunset, skyline and a city

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 Travel Guide