Kobe Rokko Meets Art is an annual modern art festival that takes place at the top of Mt. Rokko in Kobe every year from late August to late November. This article will tell you how to enjoy the artworks in an efficient and satisfactory way, including how to get to the top of the mountain, what to wear, and some recommended spots.

1. About Mt. Rokko in Kobe – Only an hour away from Osaka

The area of Mt. Rokko includes large and small mountains spanning the cities of Kobe, Ashiya, Nishinomiya, and Takarazuka in southeastern Hyogo Prefecture.The highest peak in this mountain range is Mt. Rokko which rises 931 meters above sea level. Although located near the urban area, Mt. Rokko is rich in nature. 

Click here to know more about Mt. Rokko.

Mt.Rokko is conveniently accessible from Kobe Sannomiya and Osaka Umeda area. Get off at either Hankyu Railway Rokko Station, JR Rokko-michi Station, or Hanshin Electric Railway Mikage Station, and take Kobe City Bus No. 16 or 106 from in front of the station to Rokko Cable Shita Station, the entrance to Mt. It takes only 10 minutes to the top of the mountain by Rokko Cable.

Rokko is located near Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s “Three Famous Hot Springs.” We recommend that you incorporate a visit to the hot springs before or after your visit to Mt. Rokko Arima Ropeway, one of the venues, is available for access.

2. What is “KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond”?

Kobe Rokko Meets Art” is a contemporary art festival where visitors can enjoy artworks exhibited on the Rokko Mountain in Kobe while hiking around the mountain.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from September 21 to November 24, a light-up event called “Hikari no Mori – Night Art Stroll ” will be held at Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE and Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden. Prices with Night Pass are different.

●Adult (13 years old and older) 4,000 yen
●Child (4 to 12 years old) 1,700 yen

 To purchase the ticket please click here

Besides, Omote-Rokko Round Trip ticket is recommended, which includes both the Rokko Cable and the Rokko Sanjo Bus. Since you will need to get on and off the bus frequently to visit each facility, buying this ticket will allow you to get on and off the bus many times without the need for coins, and the fare is very economical. The ticket can be purchased only at the Rokko Cable Station, so be careful not to forget to buy it.

●Adult (13 years old and older) 1,500 yen

●Child (6 to 12 years old) 750 yen

*Price for adult will be 1,800 yen and 900 yen for child from October 1, 2024

Kobe Rokkosan Tourist Pass is highly recommended for those who go by public transportation.

The Pass including Kobe City Bus + cable car + Rokkosan Sanjo Bus costs 1,900 yen.

To purchase Kobe Rokkosan Tourist Pass please click here

3. How to visit facilities on Mt. Rokko

The Rokko Sanjo Bus operates between the various facilities on the mountain. Bus schedules are available at each bus stop and on the MAP distributed at the site. Some areas do not have many buses, so we recommend that you check the bus schedule and decide how long you will stay. If you have trouble figuring out bus times, please refer to the model course to get around the area.

IC cards are not accepted on the Rokko Sanjo Bus. If you are not comfortable with this, we recommend you purchase a “Rokko Sanjo Bus 1-DAY Ticket”. The ticket can be purchased at the Rokko Cable Sanjo Station.

●Adult (13 years old and older) 500 yen
●Child (6 to 12 years old) 250 yen

*Price for adult will be 800 yen and 400 yen for child since October 1, 2024

4. Recommended Clothing and What to Bring

It is about 5 degrees cooler on top of Mt. Rokko. It is fine during the hot August to early September, but from mid-September onward, it is recommended to bring a piece of clothing that is easy to put on and take off, as the weather in the mountains is changeable. Also, since you will be viewing the exhibition in a natural setting, you may encounter bees and insects. It is best to avoid wearing black clothing, which bees like.

Moreover, please wear shoes that are easy to walk in, such as sneakers, etc., as the trail area is on forest roads and some of the paths in the facilities are hilly or difficult to walk on. A backpack or similar bag that allows you to keep both hands open is also recommended.

5. Recommended artworks and time required for each area

The following is an introduction to the nine venues of Kobe Rokko Meets Art 2024 beyond, among which (4) Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE, (5) Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, and (9) Chapel of the Wind are highly recommended.

Hope the following will help to decide which venues to visit.

The artwork that greets us at Rokko Cable Shita Station is “Different Direction of the Red and the Green” by Zhou Yiqiao.

Approximate viewing time: 5-10 minutes (Possible to enjoy during waiting for the cable car)

Two artworks are exhibited in this area, and the photo shows “The Tiger Swimming in Annual Rings of Rokko” by Taz Kurafuji. The work is 10 meters long and imitates the shape of the Rokko mountain range, and from two platforms, visitors can see the entire image of the annual ring with the motif of a tiger.

Approximate viewing time: 15-20 minutes

The artwork is displayed in the restaurant “Sora no Dining” across the street from the main building. It is possible to enter the restaurant only to view the artworks, but since this is a special opportunity, we recommend that you dine in the space where the artworks are located.

Approximate viewing time: 20 minutes

In “SIKI Garden～The Path of Sounds～”, Marie Ikura “Come, Come”, which was selected as the main visual for 2024, is on display. The characteristic of Marie Ikura’s artworks is to draw on a swaying cloth. You can find it swaying in the wind among the nature of Mt. Rokko.

The work shown here is Ruri Takahashi’s “Spending a secret time between two people”. There are many works buried in the ground, which is inspired by hydrangea. She said she has a friend who is not fond of flowers because they make her eyes meet, and she created this work while thinking about how the hydrangea would look to that friend. Many of her works are in front of you, so remember to look around as you walk.

In the outdoor zone of SIKI Garden, “Peeking into the forest, The mountain hole.” by Misa FUNAI and other 8 regular artworks are exhibited.

*Exhibition date varies on different work

In addition to the artworks, there are many other places to enjoy the nature of Mt. Rokko, such as a hammock area and a tree house. Artworks are also displayed on the third floor of the building.

Approximate viewing time: 45-90 minutes

Single ticket: Adult 1,500 yen, Child 750 yen

When entering the botanical garden, two pheasants are pinned against the wall of the Shop Alpicola. This is Yuuna Tanaka’s “Pheasants can’t help but chirp”, which is inspired by the fact that pheasants are often seen on Mt. Rokko, and they sometimes appear in the Alpine Botanical Garden. In order to have such pheasants see the work, it is exhibited semi-outdoors, which is unusual for a dyed work. The chests of both pheasants depict a view from Mt.Rokko to Arima and Sannomiya direction.

This is Reiichi Namatame’s “Hikari Island – Nocturnal Plant “UkarukuPa” Phosphorescent Experimental Zone”. The inside is coated with fluorescent paint, so it glows at night when illuminated by a black light, which is a must-see not only during the daytime, but also at night.

The artwork shown in the picture is HAFEN Kou Honda’s “Wind of Plants Hill”. It was created to be a resting place where visitors can enjoy the environment of Rokko to the fullest. Inside there are benches so that visitors can also experience the comfort of Mt. Rokko.

You may also enjoy the seasonal flowers and plants in the Alpine Botanical Garden as you stroll around the garden.

Approximate viewing time: 40-60 minutes

Single ticket: Adult 900 yen, Child 450 yen

The Trail Area, newly opened in 2023, is an area where visitors can view artworks during hiking in the nature. The area has expanded since this year, and has become more as an area where visitors can fully enjoy the nature and art of Mt. Rokko. There are no restrooms along the way, so be sure to use the restrooms and prepare for your drinks before entering the area. Since there are few lights in the area, it is recommended to visit early in the day.

In the picture shown is Naoshi Kondo’s “My Grave”. The houses are assembled as tombs, with objects from the artist’s daily life placed inside the houses and the radio playing.

Before entering the Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE, you can see Tadashi Kawamata’s “Rokko Floating Bridge and Terrace: Extended Bridge and Terrace” being exhibited continuously since last year in New Pond next to the parking lot. This year, a sunken bridge and a small terrace have been newly added. If you are not planning to explore the trail area, this work located a minute’s walk from the parking lot is easily accessible.

Approximate viewing time: 60-140 minutes (Depends on the walking pace)

Single ticket (Shin pond/Banno Villa/Yansen Atelier): Adult 700 yen, Child 250 yen

The Rokko-Arima Ropeway Sancho Station is about a 5-minute walk from the Rokko Garden Terrace area.

On the second floor, you can see Taichi Yoshimura’s “Four Flowers”. Mr. Yoshimura told us that for this artwork, he would like visitors to see the video inside the gondola and then see the wood carvings outside.

Approximate viewing time: 10-15 minutes

The Rokko Garden Terrace area has three restaurants, making it a convenient base for lunch and souvenir shopping. 

On display on the terrace overlooking not only Kobe but also Osaka is Rintaro Fuse’s “New Gnomon: Sundial for a New Earth” which displays time via the natural sunlight.

Although it is not included in the passport to view artworks, the Shidare Museum in Rokko Shidare Observatory is also a must-visit spot.

Rokko Shidare Observatory “Shidare Museum”

●Adult (13 years old and older) 1,000 yen

●Child (4 to 12 years old) 500 yen

Approximate viewing time: 30 minutes

One of the works you should not miss is Aiko MIYANAGA’s “Sound of the Path” at Tadao Ando’s “Chapel of the Wind”. The Chapel of the Wind is one of a trilogy of chapeles designed by architect Tadao Ando, along with the Chapel of Water and the Chapel of Light.

The approach to the building is beautiful.

Hope you will take as much time as possible to think about the path in the cool church.

In addition, eight works can be viewed at the nearby Rokkosan Art Center and three works can be viewed at the former Rokko Sky Villa.

Approximate viewing time: 90-120 minutes

6. Model route

Finally, for those who have trouble figuring out bus connections, or would like to go but access is a bottleneck, here is a model route on the mountain.

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Rokko Cable Sanjo Station (Departure: 12:35)

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Rokko Garden Terrace (12:44 arrival / 13:55 departure)

Lunch is also available here.

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Musical Box Museum (13:58 arrival / 15:00 departure)

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5 mins walk

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Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden (15:05 arrival / 16:03 departure)

For those who are tired, we recommend spending a relaxing time at the Café.

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Chapel of the Wind (16:06 arrival / 16:46 departure)

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from September 21 to November 24, “Lighting Forest – Night Art Stroll” is held, so it is recommended to take the bus from Chapel of the Wind (departing at 17:09) and return to the Alpine Botanical Garden to enjoy the evening events.

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Rokko Cable Sanjo Station (16:50 arrival)

Take the Rokko Cable down to the bottom station, and then transfer to a Kobe City Bus to Hankyu Railway Rokko Station. It only takes about 10 minutes to Kobe Sannomiya Station and about 30 minutes to Osaka Umeda Station.

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7. Recommendations for places to eat

This dining room overlooks Osaka and Kobe. Lunch is mainly courses, and is recommended for those who can take their time. It is also open until 8:00 p.m. (last entry at 7:00 p.m.), so it can be used as a dinner after sightseeing.

Located inside the Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE, this café offers semi-self-service one-plate lunches and café menu items. There is also seating outside, so it is pleasant to eat on the terrace when the weather is nice.

Down: Kobe pork hamburger steak 1,630 yen (tax included)
Up left: Raclette cheese plate 1,880 yen (tax included)
Up right: Awaji Onion Curry 1,350 yen (tax included)

Other plans include a reservation plan with lunch for a private use of the park’s 360-degree transparent “SIKI Dome,” which is recommended for those who want to spend a relaxing time at the Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE.

More details about reservation of SIKI Dome please click here

There are two entrances to the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, and Café Edelweiss is located near the east entrance. We recommend the terrace seats overlooking the trees of the botanical garden.

This semi-self-service restaurant offers a casual Western menu of curry rice, hamburgers, stews, and other dishes. Seats by the window overlook the cityscape of Kobe.

Many Japanese people probably associate Mt. Rokko with Genghis Khan. It has been a specialty of Mt. Rokko since ancient times. Enjoy the view from the mountain while eating Genghis Khan.

This café offers chef’s special dishes and sweets made with seasonal ingredients. You can enjoy curry and hamburgers made with “Yamamitsu,” honey from Mt. Rokko.

Left: Cheese hamburger steak with Rokko Champignon and special demi-glace sauce (with soup, salad, rice or bread) 2,300 yen
Center: Marron latte with Rokko miso caramel (hot or iced) 800 yen
Right: Rokkosan Yamamitsu Omu Curry (with soup and drink bar) 1,700 yen
*Marron Latte is a limited menu item during the Kobe Rokko Meets Art exhibition starting on Saturday, August 24.

The view is perfect here.

There are not many places to eat, so all the restaurants are crowded during lunchtime on weekends and holidays. Try to eat well by staggering your meals or using take-out.

Rokko Meets Art is an autumn-only event that can be enjoyed along with the beautiful nature of Mt. The artwork changes every year, so be sure to visit this annual autumn event.