The last house I visited in Kobe Kitano Ijinkan was the Rhine House. Rhine House is the only place in Kitano Ijinkan that is open for free, allowing visitors to enter with ease. “Constructed in 1915, Rhine House” Rhine House, or Rhine Noyakata, is a building constructed in the 4th year of the Taisho era (1915). This two-story wooden structure ...

This was the third place I visited in Kobe Kitano Ijinkan. Honestly, I was contemplating whether to visit this place or not, but after exploring the first two houses, time seemed to have passed quickly. Although time was limited, I decided to quickly explore Uroko House based on the recommendation from the Kitano Ijinkan Information Center, even if it meant ...

This was the second house I visited in Kobe Kitano Ijinkan. It is often visited in combination with the ‘Green House,’ and deciding to explore both places together seemed economical. By purchasing a two-ticket pass, you can visit both the ‘Green House’ and the ‘House of the Wind Direction’ for 650 yen. “The Residence of German Merchant Carl Friedrich Thomas” ...

The first place I visited in Kobe’s Kitano Ijinkan was the “Moegi no Ie” or the “House of Moegi,” written as “Moegi no Yakata” in Japanese. As it was located near the Kitano Ijinkan Square, I decided to visit the two houses in close proximity in sequential order. “Kitano Ijinkan, Moegi no Ie (House of Moegi)” The House of Moegi ...

On the path leading from Kobe Sannomiya Station to Kitano Ijinkan, you can find “Ikuta Shrine.” Ikuta Shrine is dedicated to a goddess overseeing love and harmonious marital relationships. This place is deeply rooted in history, mentioned even in Japan’s ancient historical records, “Nihon Shoki,” and is recognized as one of Kobe’s three major shrines. Established in 201 AD, the ...

As it was the last day of my trip to the Kansai region in Japan, I felt a sense of urgency reflecting on Kobe. Although there were many places to revisit in Kobe, considering the time it would take to return to the airport, I only had until around 3 PM to stay in Kobe. Due to the time constraint, ...

In Kobe’s Motomachi, you can discover a small but vibrant Chinatown. Located south of Motomachi Station, it is known as “Nankinmachi” in Japanese. This place is considered one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, alongside those in Yokohama and Nagasaki. Centered around Nankinmachi Square, adorned with red pavilions and statues of men, women, and children, the main street spans less than ...

In Japan, it’s easy to find covered arcade-style shopping streets with ceilings. Even when visiting Osaka, various shopping streets around Dotonbori showcase this feature, allowing shoppers to continue their activities regardless of the weather. Kobe also has such a shopping street, known as “Motomachi Shopping Street.” “Kobe, the Origin of Japanese Arcade Shopping Streets – Motomachi Shopping Street” At first ...

For the final 6 nights and 7 days of my journey in the Kansai region of Japan, I chose a hotel in Kobe as my last accommodation. Located in the Motomachi area, it was a 4-star hotel called “Kobe Plaza Hotel West.” Since it was the last night of my trip, and considering the accumulated fatigue, I opted for a ...

In Osaka Namba, you can discover a venerable curry specialty restaurant that has held its place for over 100 years. Named “Jiyuken,” this establishment has been in operation since 1910 and continues to thrive, maintaining its legacy over four generations. “Osaka Namba, Over 100 Years of Traditional Curry Expertise” What sets Jiyuken apart is its signature curry known as “Meibutsu” ...

In the southern part of Nara Park, specifically in Naramachi, you can find a unique museum called the “Karakuri Toy Museum.” This museum showcases 200 karakuri, which are moving wooden toys that were popular during the Edo period. Housed in a mansion renovated from the 1890s, the museum provides an interactive experience where visitors can sit in tatami rooms and ...

After exploring the northern part of Nara Park, including Todai-ji and related sites, I crossed the park and headed south. In the southern part of Nara Park, you can find “Ukimido (浮見堂),” a pavilion built on the pond. “Ukimido (浮見堂) in the Southern Part of Nara Park” Ukimido is located in the southern part of Nara Park. It’s a hexagonal ...