Rhine House, Former foreign residence in Kitano-chō, Kobe, Japan

Rhine House is a two-story wooden residence completed in 1915, with a hipped tile roof, clapboard siding, and louvered shutters. Its main floor covers 211 m² and the upper floor 204.35 m², with a total main-house area of 415.35 m² on a 903.60 m² lot. Inside, the ground floor holds the kitchen, dining room, living room, reception room, veranda, and entrance hall; three bedrooms, servants' quarters, a bathroom, and a water-heating room are upstairs.

Built in 1915 as the residence of Josephine R. Drewell, who lived there until her death in 1920. A German resident later occupied the house before the city of Kobe purchased it in 1978 and converted it into an information center for the Kitano-chō Yamamoto-dōri preservation district. It was designated a traditional building on December 27, 1979.

The residence displays European architectural elements with furnishings from Baroque and Victorian periods that reflect how wealthy foreign residents lived in Kobe. The rooms offer glimpses into daily life during Japan's period of opening to Western influences.

The location in Kitano-chō is easy to reach, and entry to the house is free. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since stairways and passages between rooms are narrow and steep in places.

The house is known as "Rhine House," a nickname chosen by Kobe citizens in a public contest. It now serves as the information center for the Kitano-chō Yamamoto-dōri Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings, and admission is free.