Kitano Ijinkan — Western Mansions from the Meiji Era

**Must-see houses:** Kazamidori-no-Yakata (¥500, German trader's home, National Important Cultural Property), Moegi-no-Yakata (萌黄の館, ¥400, mint-green American consul's residence with bay views), and Uroko House (うろこの家, ¥1,050, includes art gallery with Renoir and Matisse). The 8-house pass (¥3,000) offers value if visiting 5+ houses, but 3–4 houses in 2 hours provides sufficient experience without mansion fatigue. **Photography spots:** The Kitano Tenmangu Shrine overlook (free) provides panoramic views over ijinkan rooftops with Kobe Port background — best for sunset (17:00–18:30 summer, 16:30–17:30 winter). The streets themselves are photogenic: Western architecture framed by Japanese maple trees, European-style streetlamps, and harbor views between buildings. **Seasonal considerations:** Spring (April) brings cherry blossoms to mansion gardens — the juxtaposition of sakura and Victorian architecture is visually striking. Summer is hot (uphill walk + no A/C in historic houses). Autumn (November) offers mild weather and fewer crowds than Kyoto. Winter illumination (December) transforms the district into a European Christmas village.