Kobe is famous for its Kitano Ijinkan, but Shioya, located about 20 minutes by train from Kobe Sannomiya Station, was once a town loved by many foreigners. Let us introduce you to the Guggenheim House in that town.
History
Speaking of Kobe, the Kitano Ijinkan is famous, but Shioya, which is located 20 minutes by train from Kobe Sannomiya Station, was once a city loved by many foreigners. The train runs along the sea when you leave Sumaura Koen Station. It seems that foreign engineers who were involved in the railway development in the Meiji era started to build a Western-style building on a slope with a view of the sea around Suma and Shioya.
There are many slopes between the mountains and the sea, and the small town of scenic beauty is a good walking course for those who like Western-style houses. However, the number of Western-style houses that have been exposed to the rain and wind for many years has decreased year by year.
Sight to see
Symbol of the town
The old Guggenheim House seen from the platform at Shioya Station is a Western-style building over 100 years old. It is a symbol of the town.
Colonial style
It is a colonial style often seen in Western-style buildings during the Meiji period. There is a large circular entrance porch in front of the building and a veranda that continues from the room, and leads to the garden. The balcony on the second floor has glass windows to suit the climate of Japan. Open the window glass in the hot summer and close the window in the cold winter to become a Sunroom. The exterior has a bright contrast of white and blue-green. The wooden 2-story Western-style floor plan includes a large hall and kitchen on the 1st floor, and 3 rooms on the 2nd floor, each with a fireplace.Designed by British architect Nelson Hansel.
The House of Fortune
This building comes from the name of a German-American family who was a trader in Kobe during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
Old houses are doomed to be demolished, but the Guggenheim House is lucky.
After the Guggenheim family moved to multiple owners, this house were at risk of dismantling without being used for a long time.
Mr. Morimoto, the current owner, purchased the Guggenheim House, which will be demolished by his family, in 2007 with his personal property,
They are working on restoration, preservation, and utilization.
The hall on the first floor, which retains its old appearance, is used for weddings, rental spaces for concerts, and shooting dramas. It is open to the public once a month for free.
It also serves as a base for community activities such as yoga classes.
Guggenheim House marks a new history.
Access to Guggenheim House
3-5-17, Shioya-cho, Tarumi-ku, Kobe,Japan
TEL： 078-220-3924
Parking around Guggenheim House
Guggenheim House Official Website
Official Site：http://www.nedogu.com/index.html