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[Kobe City] “Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery” was the first foreign museum opened in Kobe
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Kitano Ijinkan-gai in Kobe is popular for its exotic atmosphere, and Western-style buildings where foreign visitors once lived are now open to the public. Among them, ``Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery'' is the first foreign house opened to the public in Kobe and has been designated as a nationally...
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Table of Contents
- Recommended bus tickets for sightseeing in Kobe
- An Ijinkan with a distinctive exterior covered in scale-like natural stone slate
- ``Observation Gallery'' with a great viewing spot
- City Loop is recommended for access.
- basic information
Recommended bus tickets for sightseeing in Kobe
An Ijinkan with a distinctive exterior covered in scale-like natural stone slate
``Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery'' is located in the Kitano Ijinkan district, which is lined with Western-style houses of foreign visitors who once moved to Japan.
It was originally built in a settlement in the late Meiji period as a rental house for foreign visitors, but it was moved to its current location in the Taisho period. It is also known as the "Old Hallyer House" because the last resident was Mr. E. Hallyer, a German, who lived there from 1953 to 1968.
The first thing you see after checking in is the bronze boar statue in the garden.
This is a Calydonian boar (a story about boar hunting in Greek mythology), affectionately known as ``Porcellino'', and it is one of the power spots where there is a jinx that if you rub its nose, it will bring you good luck.
The highlight of ``Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery'' is the exterior, which is made up of natural stone slates.
Slate is a type of roofing material that is made from slate that has been processed into a plate shape. The overlapping layers of slate look like fish scales, which is why it was nicknamed ``The House of Scales''.
Natural stone slate displayed on the second floor of “Uroko no Ie”
Cute design that looks like scales
By the way, the number of slates used in "Uroko no Ie" is approximately 4,000! The building has been designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property and one of Hyogo Prefecture's top 100 houses, so be sure to take a closer look when you visit.
The ``Uroko House'' on the right side of the building is a two-story building with a living room, dining room, and shop on the first floor. The rooms lined with antique furniture and furnishings are very luxurious.
The collection of famous Western porcelain, including German-born Meissen and Royal Copenhagen, which is a purveyor to the Danish royal family, is also on display in the dining room cupboard.
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French ceramics "Robert Avilland"
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British famous kiln "Royal Worcester"
The second floor also has private rooms such as a study, bedroom, and living room. This study is very nice, with a solid chair and desk. There are also fish objects on display, giving it a typical ``Uroko no Ie'' atmosphere.
fish object
Living room lined with luxurious furniture
From the windows on the second floor overlooking the sea, you can also see ships floating on the sea. foreign visitors who came to Kobe by boat probably lived in Kitano, thinking of their home country, where they could see the ocean beyond the boat.
``Observation Gallery'' with a great viewing spot
After you finish touring the ``Uroko no Ie'', next go to the ``Observation Gallery'' on the left side of the building. This facility was opened as a sister museum to ``Uroko no Ie,'' and modern and contemporary European paintings are displayed inside the facility.
Each room is also equipped with a bench, so we recommend relaxing and enjoying the art. In the space where all the pictures that are worth seeing are on display, you can easily lose track of time while looking at them.
The third floor of the "Observation Gallery" boasts a great view. Not only can you see the cityscape of Kobe, but on clear days you can clearly see Osaka Port and Awaji Island.
Click here for recommended photo spots. If you take a picture while sitting by the window and looking out the window, you will have a great photo.
You can clearly see the roof from the 3rd floor of the Observation Gallery.
Of course, there are also artworks on display on the third floor, so don't miss it. Please take your time and enjoy the luxurious space where you can admire both the view and the paintings.
City Loop is recommended for access.
``Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery'' is located on a hill about 20 minutes walk from Shin-Kobe Station on the Shinkansen or Subway, or Sannomiya Station on any line.
If you take the City Loop, it's an 8-minute walk from the Kitano Ijinkan stop. City Loop is a tour bus that takes you around Kobe's main sightseeing spots. One-day passes are also available, so this is a recommended means of transportation when sightseeing in Kobe. Please check the website for information on how to ride the bus, where to board, and discounted tickets.
``Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery'' does not have a parking lot. If you are visiting by car, please use the nearby coin parking. Also, ``Uroko House & Observation Gallery'' is one of the Ijinkan Uroko Group. If you want to visit several Ijinkans, we recommend using a discount pass to visit Ijinkan Uroko Group facilities.
Let me introduce some of them.
・Kitano 7 Building Tour Pass: 3,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for children (``Uroko House & Observation Gallery'', Yamate Hachibankan, Kitano foreign visitors Club)
・Ijinkan on the Hill ・British Pavilion ・Western Mansion ・Ben's House)
・Yamate 4-kan pass: 2,100 yen for adults, 500 yen for children (``Uroko no Ie & Observation Gallery'', Yamate Hachibankan, Kitano foreign visitors Club, Ijinkan on the Slope)
``Uroko no Ie & Observation'' is not only filled with exhibits such as stately antique furniture, delicately designed ceramics, and modern and contemporary European paintings, but is also recommended as a viewing spot that offers a panoramic view of Kobe's cityscape. gallery".
The shop inside the building sells limited edition products that can only be purchased here, so be sure to check them out.
(Writer Nakata/West Plan)
*This article is information as of August 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.
basic information
Uroko House & Observation Gallery
Address: 2-20-4 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Phone number: 0120-888581 (Uroko Group Operation Center)
Business hours: Please check the official website for the latest business information
Regular holidays: Irregular holidays
Admission fee: 1,050 yen for adults, 200 yen for children
Access: ・Approximately 20 minutes walk from Shinkansen/Subway Shin-Kobe Station ・Approximately 8 minutes walk from City Loop Kitano Ijinkan bus stop
Parking: None
HP: http://kobe-ijinkan.net/uroko/
SNS: Instagram
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What are good things and good experiences? There are many characteristics such as having a story to tell, overflowing with the thoughts of the creator, having a history, and being loved by the locals. Have you ever come across a special thing or experience that made you want to tell someone about it? And as a result of telling, someone new leads to something. We think that's what "good" is all about. In order to deliver such encounters to our customers, we discover Hyogo's good things based on the concept of "talk, communicate, and connect", and provide information that will shorten the emotional distance between customers and the region of Hyogo Prefecture.
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