The Former Thomas House, also known as the Weathercock House, stands at the top of the slope of Kitanozaka-dori and in the heart of Kitano’s historical district. It is visible all the way from Sannomiya, and its steeple and eponymous weathercock are the most prominent feature of Kitano’s skyline.
The Weathercock House was home to a successful German trader and his family during the Meiji era. They returned to Germany after the outbreak of World War I, but their daughter Else, who spent many happy childhood years in the house, came back to visit later at the age of 80.
Touring the house is well worth the 500 yen entrance fee. The atmosphere and decor of the period have been well preserved, and exploring the different rooms, each with its own style and character, is a pleasant way to spend part of an afternoon.
The Weathercock House hosts different events from time to time. During the week surrounding “Cat Day” (a Japanese pun on the date 2/22), the house exhibited a small gallery of cat-inspired art at no extra cost to visitors. If you are interested in paying the house a visit, be sure to check the official website for upcoming events.
To get to the Weathercock House from Sannomiya Station, head straight north on Kitanozaka-dori for about ten minutes. The slope becomes quite steep near the end, so some visitors may prefer to take a taxi.
The Former Thomas Residence official website: https://www.kobe-kazamidori.com/kazamidori/
