Kobe's European-style architectural streets lined with world-class trendy brands It is called the "former foreign settlement" because here you can find the old residential buildings lived by foreigners a hundred years ago. The former American Consulate and the surrounding western architectures, after the integration and transformation with Japanese humanistic characteristics over the past century, has been turned into an area with a special mixed European and Japanese style. It is the best place for shooting western gowns and casual wear.