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[Hyogo ]Kobe Ijinkan is the best place to see historical buildings! 7 must-see sights

[Hyogo ]Kobe Ijinkan is the best place to see historical buildings! 7 must-see sights

2021-08-27 Management office

Kobe Ijinkan is located at the top of a hill overlooking the city of Kobe.
Among the exotic Ijinkan buildings, we will introduce seven buildings that you should not miss. You can make your own original perfume, borrow a Sherlock Holmes costume, or even have your picture taken in a Dutch traditional costume at a Kobe Ijinkan.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
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Uroko no Ie / Uroko Museum



The Uroko no Ie/Uroko Museum in Kobe is a conspicuous ijinkan that stands on a hill among the Kitano ijinkans.
Built in the Meiji era (1868-1912) as a luxury rented house for foreigners, it is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan. It is covered with approximately 3,000 stones like scales, and is called Uroko-kan from its appearance.
It was the first building among the Ijinkan buildings in Kobe to be opened to the public.

Western antiques on display.



Western antiques are on display, including Royal Worcester, Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, and other antiques.
The adjacent museum exhibits modern and contemporary European and Russian paintings, and the third floor offers a panoramic view of Kobe.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Uroko no Ie / Uroko Bijutsukan (Uroko House / Uroko Art Museum)
Address: 2-20-4, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Phone number: 0120-888-581
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. October to 5:00 p.m. March
Budget: Ijinkan Tour Premium Pass 3,000 yen (with free dress service)
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities:The Uroko-no-Ijinkan House stands out from the other buildings in Kobe Ijinkan. Visitors can see a building built in the Meiji period with natural stones piled up like scales.
URL:http://kobe-ijinkan.net/

UK Pavilion



The British Pavilion, filled with the atmosphere of an English aristocrat, is a building where visitors can learn about the life of an English gentleman.
In the evening, it is an ENGLISH PUB, which gives you a truly British feeling.
There is also an English garden, and the view from the colonial balcony is truly English. If you want to see an English garden as a reference, please visit.
There is also a room at 221B Baker Street that is a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' room, and hats and capes are available for rent. Try to feel like Sherlock Holmes!

Living in the UK, the place you've always dreamed of living



It is a reproduction of a very elegant living situation, which gives you a sense of luxury at once.
They even have a bar counter and retro cars from that era. This is a hot spot that is sure to be an Instagram hit.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: British Pavilion (Eikokan)
Address: Eikokan, 2-3-16, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Phone number: 078-241-2338
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. October through March until 5:00 p.m. Bar is open 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Closed: Bar is closed on Sundays and holidays
Budget: 750 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This colonial-style Western-style house offers a glimpse into the life of an English aristocrat. There is a Sherlock Holmes room on the second floor where you can disguise yourself.
URL:http://kobe-ijinkan.net/england/

Weathercock House



The Gothic-style building that is the former Thomas residence was constructed in the early 1900s. The German trader Godfried Thomas actually lived in this house.
The triangular roof is topped by a weathercock, which many people have a strong image of as a symbol of Kobe. For this reason, fire hydrants in Kobe contain this weathercock, so check them out when you see them. The weathercock was meant to ward off evil and was also used to spread Christianity at that time.
The brightly colored brick building stands out among the Kobe Ijinkan buildings.

Originally a German residence



It is also a national important cultural property and can be toured inside. The architecture is unimaginable in Japan at that time, and there are many highlights. The windows, entrance, and floor plan are all worth seeing.
It is recommended to look at it while remembering how people lived back then.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kazamidori-no-Yakata (Cockcrow Pavilion)
Address: 3-13-3, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Phone number: 078-242-3223
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed: First Tuesday in June and February
Budget: 500 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This historic building was built in 1904 as a German home.
URL:https://www.kobe-kazamidori.com/kazamidori/

Vienna-Austria House



The Vienna-Austria House, with its Mozart theme, is inspired by the architecture of 18th- and 19th-century aristocratic homes. It is characterized by its unique rounded cones.
It is a historical building with much to see and do, including Rococo costumes and a portrait of Empress Maria Theresa.

Mozart-related items also on display



There is also a replica of the piano Mozart used to compose music and costumes from the period.
There is a café on the garden terrace with Australian beer and European wines. Chocolate cakes directly imported from Vienna are also popular. There are also some unusual juices such as Mosto, making the café a must for Vienna-Australia lovers.

"Facility Information "
Name: Vienna-Austria House
Address: Location: 2-15-18, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Phone number: 078-261-3466
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. from January to February.
Budget: 500 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: The building is Mozart-themed and has a fortepiano that Mozart used to compose music, which is rare in the world. You can also enjoy chocolate cake and grape juice directly from Vienna.
URL:https://www.kobeijinkan.com/ijinkan_list/wien

Former Drewell Mansion



The former Drewell Residence, a Western-style house in Kobe, was built in 1915 for the French, but was inhabited by Germans for a long time. It was later purchased by Kobe City and is open to the public free of charge.
There is a rest area inside, and you can even see the servants' quarters. Since it is located on a hill, you can see the city of Kobe from the second floor, so it is recommended to drop by during a stroll through the Kobe Ijinkan.

The hallways are different!



Wide corridors with windows all around are an architectural feature rarely seen in Japan. Although there is a Japanese corridor design called "Enko-gate," which has windows all along the corridor, Japanese windows are designed for people to go in and out, so it is common practice to have windows all the way to the bottom, with a closet or wall at the end of the corridor. Architecture with a window at the end of the corridor would be a typical foreign design. The garden is planted with 1,300 trees, and the second floor overlooks the garden.

"Facility Information "
Name: Former Drewell Residence
Address: 2-10-24, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed: 3rd Thursday in June and February
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Built by the French in 1905, it is now managed by Kobe City and open to the public free of charge. It is a Western-style building with typical Western architecture and a nice garden.

Kobe Kitano Church



Kobe Kitano Church is a 150-year-old structure.
As a full-fledged stand-alone chapel, it has been treated as a sacred place within the Kobe Ijinkan.
With its historic building, pipe organ, and authentic church, it is now used as a chapel. The couple, who have pledged their love before God, are blessed by the ringing of the bell from the bell tower and all who hear the bell.

Authentic stained glass



Light pours in through the blue stained glass windows, and the inside is brightly lit with lots of natural light. Just imagining the white of the bride, the blue of the stained glass, and the bright red red carpet is enough to make one's heart flutter. The church itself is surrounded by trees and, of course, is available for weddings.
You will go through the Kobe Ijinkan, so the atmosphere is excellent. You need something to enter the building, but just looking at it from the outside is quite nice, so I recommend it.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kobe Kitano Kyokai (Kobe Kitano Church)
Address: 1-2-9, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Phone number: 078-855-9845
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and facilities: You can see the authentic church and the garden. It is dignified enough to be seen from the outside and is a lovely architectural structure, so please take a look.
URL:https://www.kitanochapel.com/

House of Fragrance Holland Pavilion



The building was formerly the residence of the Dutch Consul General and is now open to the public. It is a wonderful Western-style building with a nostalgic atmosphere, with unique German walls and blooming tulips unique to the Netherlands.
And here, you can have a rare handmade perfume made, where you can mix your own unique perfume, the only one of its kind in the world. The recipes are stored for three years and can be re-purchased.

Nostalgic as only a Western-style house can be



It is a privilege because it is a Western-style building that it is picturesque no matter where you cut it off.
Each wall and each piece of furnishings is a wonderful space where you can feel the attention to detail. You can see everything, so take your time to enjoy it. One of the most recommended items in the Holland Pavilion is the 150-year-old automatic piano, which has a system that plays when you step on it with your foot.
This is a recommended spot where you can rent Dutch traditional costumes and get in the mood for a good time!

"Facility Information "
Name: Kaori no Ie Olandakan (House of Fragrance)
Address: 2-15-10, Kitano-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
Phone number: 078-261-3330
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in January and February
Budget: 700 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: You can have your one and only personal perfume made at the former Dutch Consul General's residence, the Holland Pavilion.
URL:http://www.orandakan.shop-site.jp/

summary

The Ijinkan is on a slope, so it is a bit of a strenuous walk, but even so, the view of Kobe from the top of the hill is spectacular. The Ijinkan are scattered throughout the city, so it is not too strenuous to walk there, but I recommend wearing sneakers.
Immerse yourself in the retro atmosphere of this exotic and nostalgic Ijinkan!

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