Kobayashi Family Residence (formerly Sharp Residence, Kitano

Kobayashi House (Former Sharp Residence): Kobe's Beloved "Moegi no Yakata"

Standing gracefully on the hillside of Kobe's Kitano district, the Kobayashi House — originally known as the Sharp Residence — is one of the most cherished Western-style mansions in Japan. Affectionately called "Moegi no Yakata" (House of Pale Green) for its distinctive yellowish-green exterior, this elegant colonial mansion has been enchanting visitors since it was built in 1903. Designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property in 1980, it offers a captivating window into the cosmopolitan lifestyle that flourished in Meiji-era Kobe, when the port city served as a vibrant gateway between Japan and the Western world.

Historical Background: From American Consul's Residence to Cultural Treasure

The story of this remarkable mansion begins with Hunter Sharp (1861–1923), an American diplomat born in Hertford, North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Sharp arrived in Japan in 1886 and eventually rose to the position of U.S. Consul General in Kobe. In 1900, he married in Kobe, and in 1903, he commissioned the construction of this stately residence in the Kitano-cho neighborhood — the preferred residential enclave for the city's foreign community.

The mansion is attributed to the British architect Alexander Nelson Hansell, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects who came to Japan in 1888. Hansell is also credited with designing the Former Hassam Residence, another Important Cultural Property in Kobe, as well as the Harris Science Hall at Doshisha University in Kyoto.

When Sharp departed Japan in 1908, the house changed hands several times. It was subsequently owned by German residents before Hideo Kobayashi, the president of Kobe Electric Railway Co., Ltd., acquired it in 1944. The Kobayashi family resided there until 1978, and it is under their name — "Kobayashi House (Former Sharp Residence)" — that the building received its Important Cultural Property designation on December 18, 1980. Notably, the designation encompasses not only the building itself but also the 803.6-square-meter residential lot on which it stands.

Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property

The Kobayashi House stands within the Kitano-cho Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, an area recognized for its exceptional concentration of historic Western-style residences. Among these, the Kobayashi House is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of colonial architecture in Kobe.

The building is a typical colonial-style structure with a refined entrance-hall floor plan. Its two differently shaped bay windows create a particularly striking side elevation, while the spatial treatment of the entrance hall is considered exceptionally accomplished. These qualities, together with the building's high degree of preservation and its significant historical associations, led the national government to recognize it as an Important Cultural Property — a testament to its outstanding architectural and cultural value.

Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest

The mansion is a two-story wooden structure with clapboard siding and tiled roofing, covering a building area of approximately 210.4 square meters. Its architectural vocabulary blends colonial functionality with Baroque decorative flair, creating spaces that feel both inviting and luxurious.

Visitor Information

Moegi no Yakata is open to the public as a museum, allowing visitors to explore its beautifully maintained rooms furnished with period pieces from the Kobayashi family's era of residence. The ground floor features a reception room, dining room, and other public spaces, while the second floor contains bedrooms, a dressing room, and the famous veranda with its harbor views.

The mansion is located adjacent to the iconic Kazamidori no Yakata (Weathercock House), and visitors can purchase a combined ticket covering both properties. A circular public square — Kitano-cho Hiroba — lies between the two buildings and serves as a pleasant resting spot surrounded by musician statues.

Surrounding Attractions

The Kitano Ijinkan district offers a wealth of experiences beyond Moegi no Yakata. The neighboring Kazamidori no Yakata (Weathercock House) is the district's most famous landmark, built in 1909 for German merchant Gottfried Thomas. Other notable mansions open to the public include Uroko no Ie (Scale House), the English House, Kitano Foreign Club, and the Rhine House. The atmospheric Kitano Tenmangu Shrine offers panoramic views of the city, and the Kitano-zaka Starbucks — housed in a restored 1907 Ijinkan — provides a unique café experience. The Nunobiki Herb Garden, accessible by ropeway from nearby Shin-Kobe Station, is another popular destination offering botanical gardens and sweeping vistas of Kobe and Osaka Bay.