Platon Decorative Arts Museum (Italian House)

The Platon Decorative Arts Museum (イタリア館 / プラトン装飾美術館), also known as the Italian House, is a beautifully preserved Western-style residence built in the 1910s in Kobe’s historic Kitano district. Once the home of a foreign dignitary, the building now functions as a decorative arts museum showcasing life in early 20th-century Europe. Visitors can explore fully furnished rooms—including parlors, bedrooms, a kitchen, and servants’ quarters—each thoughtfully arranged with antique furniture, delicate porcelain, ornate chandeliers, and classical paintings. The museum’s atmosphere captures the elegance of Italian aristocratic living, with every room offering a glimpse into European taste and domestic life during Japan’s Taisho era.

In addition to its impressive interiors, the museum features a romantic garden and a charming outdoor café where guests can enjoy authentic Italian dishes surrounded by classical statues and ivy-covered walls. The café enhances the museum’s ambiance, inviting visitors to extend their cultural experience while relaxing with coffee, pasta, or desserts in a European-style courtyard. Whether you're passionate about interior design, historic architecture, or simply seeking a refined place to unwind in Kobe, the Italian House blends visual beauty, history, and cuisine into one graceful destination.