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

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 ¥7,310 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥7,310
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
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 ¥18,720 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
¥18,720
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! (2,369 reviews)
"Nice hotel, close to Osaka station. Just take the glass bridge on the right once you exit the station so you don’t get lost. Didn’t try any other extra service, but everything was good"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 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! (1,384 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
The price is ¥15,945 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥15,945
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
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! (1,296 reviews)
"Great hotel. They just need to add vegetarian and vegan option in their menu."

Reviewed on Mar 27, 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 ¥14,229 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥14,229
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
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! (2,831 reviews)
"The room was very warm and turning on the AC didn’t really cool down the room. There were stains on the walls and on the fabric of the bench. The shower curtain smelled of mold and the sleep wear provided smelled of old set in smoke from smokers. Location of the hotel is good but for the price, I ..."

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2024

Hotel Nikko Osaka
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〉
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