Visit HYOGO

Uroko House stands quietly on the high ground of Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-Gai (former foreign residences in the Kitano district, Kobe). Approximately 4,000 pieces of natural slate were used to create the façade of the beautiful and eye-catching western-style residence, making it resemble the scales of a fish (“uroko”).

It was built in Kobe’s foreign settlement as a rental house for foreign people in the late Meiji period (1868–1912). Uroko House was the first ijinkan opened to the general public in Kobe, and has been a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property for its historic value.

In contrast to its stately stone exterior, stepping inside this building reveals a graceful European style. It houses rows of art nouveau glass and ceramics from famous makers such as Royal Copenhagen and Meissen. The stunning panorama of the streetscapes and port of Kobe, visible from the sun room, is also worth a look.

Don’t miss the Observation Gallery next door. Here, you’ll find works by popular modern European artists such as Matisse, Utrillo, and Buffet, in addition to a landscape painting by Troyon of the Barbizon School.

The ijinkan area has many hills and steps, so we recommend wearing shoes you can easily walk in.