[Kobe City] Plato Museum of Decorative Arts (Italian Pavilion), a mansion built during the Taisho period

• Table of Contents
• The only foreign-style house in Kitano that is still inhabited today!
• Enjoy elegant cafe time on the terrace
• Access Information
• basic information

The only foreign-style house in Kitano that is still inhabited today!

The Platon Decorative Arts Museum was originally built in 1915 as Mr. Aboy's personal home. It is now open as a museum exhibiting antique art pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, including furniture, furnishings, paintings, and sculptures.

The biggest feature of this facility is that the owner's family actually lives there. This is the only inhabited foreign-style house in Kitano Ijinkan-gai that is open to the public. What's surprising is that the maids who guide you are real maids who actually work for the owner's family.

The Plato Decorative Arts Museum has beautiful works of art displayed throughout the museum, creating an enchanting space that makes you feel as if you are visiting an aristocrat's mansion.

The museum is filled with beautiful items, such as paintings by famous artists such as Millet and Rousseau, and sculptures by Rodin and Clodion, making it a spectacular sight.

The dining room on the first floor has gorgeous tables set according to the season, and is very beautiful. After closing time, the owner's family sometimes eats here, and sometimes they invite guests over for dinner parties.

Also on display are Renaissance-style carved furniture, and be sure to take a closer look at the collection of silverware and demitasse cups lining the shelves.

Next, let's go up to the second floor. There is a powder room, bedroom, study, and living room on the second floor. Every room is stylish and filled with wonderful antiques. You'll find yourself taking photos.

This is the "Chinoiserie Study," which mainly displays furniture and furnishings from the Ming Dynasty. "Chinoiserie" is a Chinese-style design that was popular among European aristocrats and wealthy people.

The living room, which was used as a place to drink tea after meals, is also decorated with furnishings reminiscent of China.

Go down two floors to the basement, where you'll find rare exhibits such as brandy from the 18th century, Napoleonic era brandy, a wine cellar with about 500 bottles of wine, and a pure gold crown.

While touring the museum, you will find yourself constantly exclaiming, "How wonderful!" as you admire the beautiful items. Please enjoy your tour of the museum to the fullest while carefully listening to the maid's explanations.

Enjoy elegant cafe time on the terrace

The Platon Decorative Arts Museum is well worth a visit, but if you visit the facility, you should also stop by the cafe. It is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and is located on the garden terrace overlooking the pool. You can enjoy sweets such as the owner's wife's homemade cakes and baked goods, as well as drinks such as tea and coffee.

The cafe's popular "Cookie Set" (1,300 yen) is a set of today's cookie and a drink, which you can choose from coffee, tea, ginger ale, or orange juice.

Another popular menu item is the "Cafe Affogato" (900 yen), an Italian dessert made by pouring hot espresso coffee over vanilla ice cream and adding brandy for flavor.

The bittersweet flavor of the espresso and the sweetness of the cold vanilla ice cream are a perfect match for an elegant taste. Enjoying tea while gazing at the garden is truly luxurious. This is a must-try for anyone wanting to spend an elegant moment.

Cookies and other baked goods are also available for takeout, making them a great souvenir to remember your visit.

Cafe hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only 11:30-16:00

Access Information

The Plato Decorative Arts Museum is located about a 10-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station on the Shinkansen and subway, or a 5-minute walk from the Kitano Ijinkan stop on the City Loop.

The City Loop is a sightseeing bus that goes around Kobe's major tourist spots, so it is recommended when sightseeing in Kobe . Information on how to board the bus, bus stops, discount tickets, etc. is available on the website.

Click here for details and to purchase the Kobe 1-day bus ticket

If you are considering touring Himeji and Hyogo prefecture in addition to Kobe , we recommend this ticket! This mobile ticket includes the contents of the Kobe 1-day bus ticket and allows unlimited rides on Shinki Bus route buses for 1,000 yen per day. *Limited to foreign visitors tourists visiting Japan

Click here for details and to purchase the Hyogo Amazing Pass

There is no parking lot. If you are coming by car, please use the nearby paid parking lot.

The Platon Decorative Arts Museum is a space that makes you feel like you've entered another world. The gorgeous interior is filled with numerous works of art, and the interior changes with the seasons, so you can enjoy it no matter how many times you visit. This is a facility that we highly recommend to people who love antiques or who want to go to a spectacular spot.

(Writer: Nakata/West Plan)

*This article is current as of July 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.

basic information

Plato Decorative Arts Museum (Italian Pavilion)

Address: 1-6-15 Hyogo Prefecture , Chuo Ward , Kobe City

Phone number: 078-271-3346

Business hours: 10:00-17:00

*The schedule is subject to change. Please be sure to check the official website.

Closed: Tuesdays Admission fee: 800 yen

Access: 20 minutes on foot from Sannomiya Station on all lines; 10 minutes on foot from Shinkansen and subway Shin-Kobe Station; 5 minutes on foot from the City Loop "Kitano Ijinkan" bus stop

Parking: None

HP: https://www.kobeijinkan.com/ijinkan_list/platon

Social Media: Instagram