Moegi no Yakata (House of Moegi)

The Moegi-no-Yakata was built in 1903 as the residence of the U.S. Consul General. The two-story, clapboard structure features two differently shaped bay windows, a staircase with an arabesque pattern, and a massive mantelpiece.

In addition, the second-floor veranda offers a spectacular view of the Kobe city center. Moenokan was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1980.

The former Sharp Residence is an ijinkan located in Kitano-machi and is also known as “Moe-no-Yakata.

Located on the west side of the Kazamidori-no-Yakata, this building is a light, typical colonial-style two-story structure in contrast to the stately neo-Baroque style of the Kazamidori-no-Yakata.

It is decorated in a baroque style, with extravagant designs throughout, including two differently designed bay windows and a mosaic-decorated staircase, and also incorporates some Japanese styles.

The Western-style building was built in 1903 as the residence of U.S. Consul General Hunter Sharp. The design is attributed to A.N. Hansel. Later, Mr. Hideo Kobayashi (President of Kobe Electric Railway) acquired it from its German owner in 1944 and resided there until 1978. Therefore, it was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1980 as the “Kobayashi Family Residence (former Sharp Residence). Not only the building, but also the residential land area of 803.6 square meters has been designated as an Important Cultural Property.

The building was once called “White Ijinkan,” but during a semi-demolition repair in 1989, the color of the exterior walls was changed to “moe yellow,” the color of the building’s original exterior walls, and since then it has been nicknamed “Moe no Yakata” (House of Moe Yellow).

The building was severely damaged in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995, with three chimneys collapsing and cracks forming on the exterior walls. However, the building was restored over the course of a year, and the collapsed chimneys are still on display in a corner of the garden.