The Exotic Atmosphere of Kobe's Former Foreign Settlement

Kobe's Foreign Settlement was established in 1868 when Kobe Port opened, providing residences and business spaces for foreigners. Designed by British architect Thomas Waters and planned in consultation with Hirobumi Ito, the area saw systematic development of streets, parks, streetlights, and sewers, with the overall landscape and functionality of the town being completed by 1875. The newly created district consisted of 126 plots. Roads were divided into sidewalks and carriageways, with brick-paved sidewalks. The main street, Kyomachi-suji, was about 20 meters wide, and in 1872, street names were assigned. Interestingly, instead of using roads as boundaries, a European style of naming streets along the roads was adopted. With many brand stores, shopping in this exotic atmosphere is quintessentially Kobe!