Built in the early 20th century, the Weathercock House was the private residence of German trader Gottfried Thomas (G. Thomas). With its solid brick structure and the iconic weathercock standing atop its spire, it is a national Important Cultural Property and a symbolic landmark of Kobe’s foreign residence district.

Following its restoration after damage sustained in the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the site now offers a limited-capacity heritage program. This experience connects the building’s historical narrative with perspectives for the future, making it suitable for curated cultural and educational group visits.

Originally designed with formal reception rooms and a dining area on the ground floor, and private living spaces such as bedrooms and a children’s room on the upper floor, this former foreign residence is now open to the public as a museum.

From autumn 2025, a special, exclusive-use experience will be introduced, allowing the historic property to be reserved on closing days or outside regular opening hours. The first program is a recreated historical breakfast experience, held in the second-floor “Breakfast Room” overlooking Kobe Port. Guests can enjoy a refined morning setting that evokes the lifestyle of the period.

※A recreated menu has been developed in collaboration with Kobe Portopia Hotel.

The Kitano district, where Western-style foreign residences stand alongside places of worship representing Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism within walking distance, serves as a model area for sustainable tourism. The neighborhood embodies key SDGs themes, including multicultural coexistence, heritage conservation, adaptive reuse of cultural assets, and opportunities for international and intercultural education.

This plan can be enhanced with a guided walking tour after breakfast, led by a subject-matter expert who provides in-depth commentary on the area’s historical and cultural highlights.

＜Example of a Suggested Stay Program＞

The foreign residents who lived in the hillside Western-style houses once maintained their offices in Kobe’s former foreign settlement near the port. A guided exploration that combines these historic residences with the preserved waterfront district—where much of the original streetscape and architecture remain—offers participants a journey back to Kobe as it was over 150 years ago.
This on-site area tour provides a hands-on opportunity to experience sustainable urban development, illustrating how historical assets have been preserved and integrated into the modern city.

★★★ CONSULTING ★★★
Please contact the DMCs that make up the consortium for planning meetings or incentive tours that include this unique venue.
By selecting the number of participants, preferred dates, budget, and other details in the “CONSULTING FORM” at the bottom of the page and submitting your request, our staff will assist you in creating a customized plan through a dedicated chat.