Former Sharp's House, Colonial Revival mansion in Kitano-cho, Japan.
This residence is a Colonial Revival mansion built in 1903 in the historic Kitano-chō district and sits among other foreign houses from the same era. It features white wooden panels, evenly spaced windows, and a central entrance showing classical American design that was adapted to local building practices.
The house was built in 1903 for an American consul after the port opened to international commerce and foreign residents began establishing themselves in Kobe. This period brought diplomats and merchants from abroad who shaped the district's development during Japan's rapid transformation.
The building shows how foreign residents shaped the neighborhood's character after the port opened to international trade. Walking through, you notice how Western and Japanese design choices blend together in the details.
You can buy a combined ticket to visit several historic houses in the Kitano district, including this one and the neighboring properties nearby. Walking through multiple houses on the same route gives you a fuller picture of how foreign residents lived and built their homes during this period.
The house still holds original furniture and decorative pieces from when it was built, showing how American diplomats actually lived in Japan during this era. These preserved details help visitors imagine what daily life looked like in this foreign community.
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