The first foreign-style house opened to the public on a hill in kobe has come to be affectionately known as the "uroko house) due to its exterior, which is covered in natural slate stone that resembles the shape of fish scales. this traditional structure is designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property and one of hyogo prefecture's top 100 houses. it is said to have been built in the foreign settlement as a luxury rental house for foreigners in the late meiji period, and was moved to its current location in the taisho period. inside the building, there is a colorful collection of western porcelain. the view of the city of kobe and the sea from the adjacent observation gallery on the third floor is spectacular.