Platon Decorative Arts Museum (Italian House)
Quick Facts
- Location
- Japan, Kobe
- Category
- Museum
- Duration
- 45-60 min
- Opening Hours
- Daily 10:00-17:00 · 10:00-17:00, closed Tuesdays and 30 Dec-2 Jan; other language pages of the official site list 9:30 and no closing days, so confirm on the day
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Adults JPY 800 · Poolside cafe, lunch and homemade cake cost extra; the Kitano common pass does not cover this house
- Address
- 1-6-15 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0002, Japan
- Coordinates
- 34.7006, 135.1888
Introduction
The Italian House, formally the Platon Decorative Arts Museum, is a Western-style residence from the early Taisho era in Kobe's Kitano Ijinkan quarter and a designated historic building. Its collection centres on 18th- and 19th-century European decorative arts, chiefly Italian: antique furniture, chandeliers, paintings and sculpture fill every room, including works by Millet and Corot. The effect is less a white-cube gallery than a European aristocratic home still lived in — and parts of the house are indeed still occupied. Its most photographed contrast lies in the south garden, where tables beside a small pool serve drinks, homemade cake and hand-made pasta lunches, with a weekend-only lunch that has made the house especially popular with younger visitors. It is a ten-minute uphill walk from Shin-Kobe station and sits in the same walking circuit as the Weathercock House and Moegi House. One caution: the official site's different language pages disagree on opening time and closing days, so check the day's notice before setting out.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 10:00-17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00-17:00 |
10:00-17:00, closed Tuesdays and 30 Dec-2 Jan; other language pages of the official site list 9:30 and no closing days, so confirm on the day
Ticket Information
| Adult | Adults JPY 800 |
|---|
Poolside cafe, lunch and homemade cake cost extra; the Kitano common pass does not cover this house
Transportation
10 min from JR Shin-Kobe, 20 min uphill from Sannomiya via Kitano-zaka
Dense Ijinkan quarter; pair with Weathercock House and Moegi House
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Platon Decorative Arts Museum (Italian House)?
Monday: 10:00-17:00; Tuesday: 10:00-17:00; Wednesday: 10:00-17:00; Thursday: 10:00-17:00; Friday: 10:00-17:00; Saturday: 10:00-17:00; Sunday: 10:00-17:00; 10:00-17:00, closed Tuesdays and 30 Dec-2 Jan; other language pages of the official site list 9:30 and no closing days, so confirm on the day
How much is the admission for Platon Decorative Arts Museum (Italian House)?
Adult: Adults JPY 800; Poolside cafe, lunch and homemade cake cost extra; the Kitano common pass does not cover this house
How long should I spend at Platon Decorative Arts Museum (Italian House)?
A typical visit takes 45-60 min.
How do I get to Platon Decorative Arts Museum (Italian House)?
Subway: 10 min from JR Shin-Kobe, 20 min uphill from Sannomiya via Kitano-zaka
