Kobe Rokko Meets Art
Kobe Rokko Meets Art is a contemporary art festival held annually on Mt Rokko in Kobe. Now in its 16th year, the event is a diverse celebration of culture, nature and art.
Running from August 23 to November 30, the mountain’s forests, terraces, gardens and venues are transformed into sculpture parks, open-air exhibitions and light and sound installations. Plus, it’s less than an hour from Osaka, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy nature while admiring art this autumn.
This year’s focus, ‘Environmental Perspectives and Thought’, aims to inspire conversations about nature, history and culture, particularly the power that natural monuments like Mt Rokko have in shaping our world view. The work of over 60 artists from Japan and abroad will be on display, including Michael Lin, Winter/Hoerbelt and Yoshitomo Nara, whose famous Peace Head will become a permanent installation at the site.
This year also sees Ryotaro Muramatsu’s world-touring Dandelion Project come to Mt Rokko as its 65th venue. On weekends and holidays, the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden will stay open late, allowing you to take an enchanting stroll and blow on giant dandelions that scatter laser beams and lights across the garden’s rocks, trees and alpine flora.
The best way to get there is by cable car: a ten-minute ride from Rokko Cable Shita Station takes you to the top of Mt Rokko, roughly 880 metres above sea level. From the Tenran Observatory, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Kobe, the Seto...