Weathercock House

The weathercock house (former Thomas residence) was built as a mansion to house the wealthy German trader, Mr. Gottfried Thomas, in around 1909 (Meiji 42).The building, built in the recognizable art nouveau style and incorporating traditional German motifs, was constructed by German architect George De Larande, an acclaimed and active figure of this time.More than anything else, the weathercock on the outer wall of the red brick steeple is beloved by locals and visitors alike as a symbol of the Kitano foreign residences. This residence has been recognized as an important cultural property of Japan.