KIITO
A historic silk inspection building reborn as Kobe’s design and creative hub.
- Design
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If you want a single place in Kobe where design, art, community projects, and creative learning all collide, KIITO (デザイン・クリエイティブセンター神戸) is the hub. Set inside the beautifully preserved former Kobe Raw Silk Inspection Office (built in 1927 and expanded in 1932), KIITO reimagines an industrial-era landmark as a living “design center” for the city. The name “KIITO” is a transliteration of the words 生糸 (kiito) in Japanese, which mean “raw silk.”
Opened in August 2012 as a creative base for “Design City Kobe” (UNESCO Creative Cities Network), KIITO hosts everything from talks and exhibitions to hands-on workshops, public programs, and collaborative projects that connect locals, makers, students, and visitors. If you’re building a Kobe day around culture, it’s an easy add—especially if you like spaces that feel active, not just “on display.”
KIITO is on the bayside of central Sannomiya, near the Kobe Customs House. It’s roughly a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya・Hanadokeimae Station (Subway Kaigan Line) and about a 10-minute walk from Boei Center Station (Port Liner). From the main JR/Hankyu/Hanshin Sannomiya area, plan on a longer walk (around 20 minutes) or take a short taxi ride and say “across from Kobe Customs.”
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