A district of Meiji and Taisho-era Western-style mansions in Kobe's Chuo Ward, developed after Kobe opened as an international port in 1867. About 30 foreign residences survive, 15 open to the public. The Weathercock House (former Thomas Residence, Important Cultural Property) and Moegi House (former Sharp Residence) are Kobe icons.

When Kobe opened as an international trading port in 1867, the number of Western residents increased rapidly, and they began seeking residences in the Kitano and Yamamoto districts on the hillsides north of the foreign settlement. From the late 1880s onward, foreign merchants and consular officials …