Kitano

Kobe
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.


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Kitano Hotel Deals

APA HOTEL&RESORT〈OSAKA UMEDA EKI TOWER〉
APA HOTEL&RESORT〈OSAKA UMEDA EKI TOWER〉
3 out of 5
2-8-32 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥8,628 per night from Apr 23 to Apr 24
¥8,628
per night
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (920 reviews)
Love Osaka
"Room and especially the bathroom was small but the cleanliness makes up for it!! I would definitely stay here again!!"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

APA HOTEL&RESORT〈OSAKA UMEDA EKI TOWER〉
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 ¥8,665 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
¥8,665
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,053 reviews)
"Wonderful stay. Staff was friendly & made an effort to try to help us when we had questions. The free breakfast was good. Room is small as expected (note that you cannot open your luggage all the way unless it’s in the bed) you make it work though and it’s not too bad. Location is great close to ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ¥17,869 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
¥17,869
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,360 reviews)
"The proximity to shopping, dining and entertainment"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
3.5 out of 5
1-1-35 Shibata 1, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Fully refundable
The price is ¥11,126 per night from Apr 23 to Apr 24
¥11,126
per night
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,379 reviews)
"Conveniently located near train and bus station. Multiple people at reception to help so no wait time to check in. Great view from my room."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
4 out of 5
6-2-52 Shimaya Konohana-ku, Osaka
Fully refundable
The price is ¥15,472 per night from Apr 23 to Apr 24
¥15,472
per night
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,289 reviews)
"Very a nice Hotel in front to the park (100 Yards) next time for sure I will stay there. Thank you"

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024

The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
Hotel Nikko Osaka
Hotel Nikko Osaka
4 out of 5
1-3-3 Nishi-shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is ¥17,075 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥17,075
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,828 reviews)
"The hotel was easily accessible to Kyoto station and within a short walk, which made it easy to arrive via train and see the city. The hotel is nice, but I would say slightly on the dated side, but is well maintained and the staff very attentive. The hotel had a lot of guests that were part of tour ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Hotel Nikko Osaka
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 neighborhoods around Kitano

Kobe showing a city and street scenes

Chuo Ward

5/5(1 area review)

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 Shin-Kobe Ropeway.

Chuo Ward
Sannomiya featuring road cycling, signage and street scenes

Sannomiya

4.5/5(55 area reviews)

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 a bay or harbor, a city and a high rise building

Kobe City Centre

4.5/5(77 area reviews)

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 featuring a city, street scenes and markets

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 showing cbd, modern architecture and skyline

Hatobacho

If you're spending some time in Hatobacho, Kawasaki Good Times World and Meriken Park are top sights worth seeing.

Hatobacho
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Shinkaichi

5/5(1 area review)

While there might not be top attractions in Shinkaichi, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kobe Culture Hall and Harborland Park.

Shinkaichi


Kitano