Ben's House, Western-style residence in Kitano-chō, Japan
The three-story wooden structure combines German red brick elements with traditional Japanese architectural features throughout its exterior and interior design.
Built in 1902 during the Meiji period for an American merchant, Ben's House represents the international transformation of Japanese residential architecture.
The residence contains multiple exhibition rooms displaying period furniture, personal artifacts, and a collection of taxidermied animals including a polar bear.
The house opens daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM between April and September, and from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM from October through March.
A German-made red brick moat surrounds the entrance of the building, demonstrating the direct importation of European construction materials during that period.
Location: Kitano-chō
Inception: 1902
Website: http://kobe-ijinkan.net/ben
GPS coordinates: 34.70092,135.19153
Latest update: March 10, 2025 23:00
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