THE SECOND FLOOR, NOW, AS THEN, IS THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF THE CHOUEKE FAMILY. IT CONTAINS THREE LARGE BEDROOMS FACING SOUTH, ONE SMALLER BEDROOM FACING NORTH AND TWO BATHROOOMS. THE THREE LARGE BEDROOMS ARE CONNECTED BY INTERIOR DOORS THAT CAN BE KEPT OPEN FOR VENTILATION AND SOCIALIZING OR SHUT FOR PRIVACY. ALL THE BEDROOMS HAD WORKING FIREPLACES AND, IN WINTER, IT WAS THE CUSTOM TO LIGHT WOOD-BURNING FIRES FOR WARMTH. THERE IS ALSO A LIBRARY OF BOOKS AND AN EXPANSIVE VERANDA WHICH, IN THE PAST, PROVIDED A PANORAMIC VIEW OF ALL OF KOBE, ITS FAMOUS HARBOR AND THE SEA BEYOND. NOW WE MUST ACCEPT A LESSER VIEW DUE TO THE NUMEROUS, HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS OF THE MODERN AND DYNAMIC CITY.