Located behind Kobe’s CBD, in the leafy foothills of Mt Rokko, is the delightful Kitano Ijinkan area. Its distinctive 19th Century western architecture, cafes, galleries, museums and boutiques dotted along steep, narrow streets and winding lanes, makes it a very popular spot among locals and tourists.
The settlement was established in the 19th Century, at the start of the Meji Era and with the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868.
The City of Kobe quickly developed into an international hub (something it is still famous for today) and as commerce and trade flourished, so did the footprint of Western architecture.
Diplomats, merchants and traders from Europe, Britain and the United States constructed residences, businesses, stores, churches and small parks along the cobbled streets. And it wasn’t long before the area became a fashionable residential neighbourhood for foreigners and Japanese alike.
These days only a fraction of the settlement’s hundreds of original buildings still exist. However, of the 30 or so that do, most have been restored and several now house museums, galleries and cafes.
Today’s Kitano area is a homogenous blend of old and new. Modern architectural designs sit comfortably next to century old dwellings and jazz bars and trendy cafes overlook tiny English-style gardens.
Open everyday of the week (weekends offer live music and other entertainment but can be crowded) this picturesque precinct, with its rich international history, is the perfect spot to relax and experience the real Kobe. Wander the winding streets and lanes, enjoy the elevated leafy surrounds and catch glimpses of the city and the bay below as you climb higher and higher up the hillside. There are also plenty of small stores and cute cafes to stop at between visiting the various museums and galleries.
The best news for those visiting Kobe is that the Kitano Ijinkan is a leisurely stroll from Kobe’s shinkansen station.