On this trip to Kobe, besides Himeji Castle, another thing I was really looking forward to was walking around the Kitano Ijinkan district! Our first stop was Moegi House, with its very eye-catching exterior.
Before even going inside, I was drawn to this Western-style house in a pale mint green! Paired with dark green window frames, white decorative railings, and a red-brick chimney, the whole building has a very distinctive look and a strong vintage, foreign atmosphere. It was beautiful just taking pictures outside.
Moegi House was formerly the residence of the American consul. Its location makes it one of the more convenient houses to visit in the Kitano Ijinkan district, and admission is also relatively inexpensive. Once I went inside, I found that the displays here were somewhat different from those at the other houses. Instead of deliberately creating themed exhibits about different countries' cultures, it recreates the living spaces of the time as faithfully as possible.
As I toured the rooms and looked at the old furniture, windows, and interior decor, I couldn't help imagining what kind of daily life the people who lived here once had. Although the exhibits aren't as extensive as those at some of the other houses, this sense of being close to real life instead inspired an even greater feeling of nostalgia.
Overall, this stop is easy to explore, and you don't need to set aside too much time for it. For me, visiting Kobe's ijinkan isn't just about seeing beautiful architecture. It's also a way to experience Kobe's past history and culture through these preserved old houses.
