Kobe City is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, located west of Osaka Prefecture. The city, which has flourished as a port town for generations, is full of gorgeous, diverse scenery, from retro European buildings to its bustling Chinatown. Visitors from abroad adore this popular spot, which is easily the top tourist city in Hyogo Prefecture.

Mt. Rokko is the highest peak in the Rokko mountain range, which sits north of Kobe City and stretches about 30 km from east to west. The gorgeous mountain is covered with abundant nature and adored by Kobe residents as the perfect spot for hiking, camping or any number of other outdoor activities. This venerable symbol of Kobe, Mt. Rokko, serves as the grounds for the Kobe Rokko Meets Art festival.

Tourist facilities on top of Mt. Rokko serve as the main venues for the Kobe Rokko Meets Art festival, where visitors can enjoy art in an open-air environment. Since the first event in 2010, over 520 artists have participated. The theme of this year's festival, which will be the 15th iteration, is "Find new perspectives." By taking guests on a journey out of the confines of their daily lives, the festival aims to immerse them in new perspectives and vistas untethered by conventional thinking.

The 2024 edition will feature works from more than 61 artists, the festival's largest number ever. These truly unique artworks represent a diverse array of worldviews. In addition, artists from overseas have also been invited to broaden the festival's perspective to a global scale. Three artists from Asia, a hot spot for contemporary art, will participate: Hyunmin WOO from South Korea, Khvay Samnang from Cambodia, Waft Lab from Indonesia, and more.

From sculptures and paintings to immersive installations, the range of artwork on display is incredibly diverse. Be sure to check out the captions near each piece, where you'll find detailed explanations, insights from the director and curators, and information about the artists. Remember to scan the QR codes provided to learn even more about the artists. (English available *Some works also have Traditional Chinese and Korean)

Kobe Rokko Meets Art offers a myriad of exciting things to do. Here are six tips to help you take it all in. With these in mind, you can easily make the most of the festival.

1. Take the Rokko Cable Car, which travels up the mountain to the venue

At the foot of Mt. Rokko, hop on the Rokko Cable Car, which began operation in 1932. There are two types of cable cars, classic and retro. Both types feature two connected cars, a box car on the upper half and an observation car on the lower half, which is a rare configuration for a cable car unlike any in the world. Once at the top, the "Rokko Sanjo Bus" conveniently connects the various art sites. Since the exhibits are spread across a wide area, make the most of your visit by purchasing a 1-day bus pass or a combined ticket for both the cable car and bus to travel freely and efficiently between the venues.

2. Open to the public only for this festival! Tadao ANDO's Chapel of the Wind

The Church of the Wind, which sits atop Mt. Rokko, was designed by Tadao ANDO, one of Japan's most highly regarded architects. This church, along with the Church of the Light in Osaka and the Church on the Water in Hokkaido, form Tadao ANDO's Trilogy of Churches. Visitors are generally not allowed to enter the building, but the church will be open to the public especially for the festival. Additionally, artwork will be exhibited in the plaza on the site of the hotel that once stood near the church.

3. Stand-out works at Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE

One of the event's main venues is the Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE, where you can relish the sounds of the forest and the natural world. This includes the MORINONE Hall, where self-playing instruments create a unique symphony, and the SIKI Garden: Sound Nature Trail, where various sound-producing objects wait to be discovered. You won't want to miss the standout artworks that define this remarkable art festival.

The Outdoor Art Zone in the SIKI Garden: Sound Nature Trail continues to display artwork even after the festival ends. The emotions and atmosphere of each piece change depending on the time of day and the season. Tourists and anyone else passing through can enjoy an encounter with contemporary art.

4. Enjoy gorgeous natural landscapes and artwork joined at the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden

The Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden takes excellent advantage of the Rokko mountain range's uniquely cool climate to house approximately 1,500 types of alpine and cool-weather plants, including varieties native to the Rokko area and mountain wildflowers from around the world.

In this garden, plants thrive in a nearly wild environment. Visitors can experience seasonal natural scenery and enjoy the guided flower tours, offered daily. Most years from mid-October to mid-November, a variety of artworks are displayed against the background of autumn leaves.

5. Breathtaking views at the Rokko Garden Terrace Area
Nestled near the summit of Mount Rokko, at about 880 meters high, the Rokko Garden Terrace is one of Japan's premier viewpoints. From the Viewing Terrace enjoy stunning views of the Rokko mountain range, the Seto Inland Sea, and the cityscape below. As you explore the art pieces scattered throughout the area, don't miss the chance to relax at the restaurants and cafes boasting spectacular views, or to browse the shops offering official art festival merchandise.

6. View art while hiking a mountain!? The Trail Area

The Trail Area is a veritable outdoor gallery where artworks are exhibited along a hiking route bathed in sunlight filtered through a canopy of leaves. Hikers can immerse in Mt. Rokko's gorgeous natural landscape while viewing artwork. This is a hike through the mountains, so it's best to wear comfortable shoes, a long-sleeved top and long pants. Make sure to grab an official guide map to avoid getting lost.

As you leisurely explore the expansive venues and your appetite grows, take a break to enjoy some delicious cuisine. Stop by the various restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the Kobe Rokko Meets Art sites. There, you can savor festival-exclusive dishes made with local ingredients, including Kobe pork, milk from the Rokko foothills, and honey harvested from Mount Rokko, known as "yamamitsu."

Be sure to check out the official festival merchandise that includes everyday items adorned with the festival's logo, the mountain. Treat yourself to pies and candies made with yamamitsu, the honey produced by bees from flowers blooming on Mount Rokko, all branded with the festival's logo. These make perfect souvenirs to remember your visit or to share with family and friends.

During the festival, don't miss the special nighttime exhibitions. The event, Hikari no Mori - Night Art Stroll, created using light by artist Kyota TAKAHASHI, who is well known for his numerous large-scale projects using light and projections as a medium, will illuminate the Rokko Musical Box Museum & Gardens MORINONE and the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden. Artwork on display at the venue will also be illuminated, giving each work an aura totally distinct from its daytime appearance. The autumn foliage will also be beautifully lit up, creating a magical atmosphere.

Here's another special tip for those visiting the art festival. Arima Onsen, one of Japan's three most famous ancient hot springs, known as the "hidden retreat of Kansai" and loved by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (ancient Japanese samurai and warlord), is just a 12-minute ride from the top of Mount Rokko via the Rokko Arima Ropeway. Why not enjoy the art festival during the day and unwind with an overnight stay at Arima Onsen?

So, how do you get to Mt. Rokko? From Osaka Umeda Station, take the Hankyu Railway to Rokko Station (about 35 minutes), then take the Kobe City Bus to Rokko Cable Shita Station, the gateway to the mountain. Taking buses or walking, you can make it to every venue featured in the event. A recommended route showing how to visit every site will be available on the festival's official website before the event.

Multiple types of tickets are available. In addition to the Admission Passport, which grants admission to all venues that require a ticket, the special Passport with Night Pass lets you enjoy the nighttime event Light Forest-Night Art Stroll as well. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at ticket counters in downtown Kobe or on Mt. Rokko.

At Kobe Rokko Meets Art, step into new landscapes and experience all new ways of thinking. This fall, encounter impactful artwork and take a trip that will open your mind to brand-new worlds.