Former Hunter Residence

Overview

The Former Hunter Residence is a masterpiece of Meiji-era Western architecture, and among the largest foreign-style houses in Kobe. Built around 1889 by A. Greppy (German) with an English engineer, it was initially located where the Kobe Foreign Club stands today. It was later purchased by British businessman Edward Hazlett Hunter and relocated to its current location. Hunter was involved in shipbuilding and steel in Japan, founding a precursor to Hitachi Zosen. The house underwent significant renovations during relocation; its once-open veranda was fully enclosed with valuable glass windows of the time, creating its distinctive appearance. Designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1963, it remains beautifully preserved. The two-story residence features a three-story turret on the northwest corner. The entrance is located on the first floor of the turret, with a hallway extending east and west. Three rooms line the south side of the hallway in a single-corridor layout. While labeled a study, drawing-room, and dining room, the original functions of these first-floor rooms are unknown. The south and east sides of the first floor are enclosed by verandas with diamond-lattice glass doors. Two projections extend from the south veranda, each topped with a pediment. The first-floor rooms have bay windows that correspond to these veranda projections. Originally, the veranda was open, and the bay windows faced directly outside. The second floor has four rooms, presumed to have been three bedrooms and a living room. The Former Hunter Residence is a precious building showcasing the advanced Western architectural techniques of the Meiji era. Enjoy a refined experience surrounded by history and culture. Be sure to visit!