Haruon Gakusha (ハルオン楽舎) artist mural
An imaginative, hand-painted artist-house in Kobe’s Nagata ward.
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ハルオン楽舎 (Haruon Gakusha) is a one-of-a-kind “living artwork” in Nagata, Kobe that covers the entire facade of the longtime home and creative base of the award-winning artist duo Daruma Forest and Eriko (だるま森＋えりこ). Known for their handmade children’s puppet shows, picture books, and delightfully oddball instruments, the pair’s worlds are filled with cartoonish cactuses, spirits, creatures, and playful characters that feel like they’ve stepped out of a pop-up storybook.
The artists staged the decoration as a live event in November 2022, covering the house in Daruma Forest’s trademark bright, eccentric, and unapologetically handmade designs, and it includes visible protest messages and social statements, such as calls to stop the war in Gaza and to protect the oceans from pollution for the future of children. It’s an “art spot” in the truest sense: part studio, part neighborhood landmark, part public-facing message board.
Daruma Forest and Eriko are performers as much as they are makers. Their touring puppet shows are built from original stage sets, unusual DIY instruments, and live “make-and-play” moments where objects become sound in real time. If you’ve ever wanted to see a world where art, music, and storytelling fuse into something beautifully weird you can see their past performances on their YouTube channel. Here is a recent example of a show in 2025 called つき豆ダンゴ (Tsukimame Dango – lit. bean dumplings).
Even if you only pass by the house for a quick look, the exterior alone is worth the detour: dense with drawings, textures, and the feeling that the building itself is mid-performance. When events, live painting days, or workshops are happening, the street becomes a small stage. Just keep in mind that this is a real residential area, so keep your visit low-key and respectful.
The duo also host a community radio program, extending their “art-as-conversation” approach beyond the neighborhood and into the airwaves. If you’re interested in socially engaged, handmade culture in Kobe, especially in Nagata’s community-driven arts scene, Haruon Gakusha is a meaningful stop to include. And finally, just a few hundred metres up the road from the house is the wonderful Bookstore Roquentin, which is well worth a visit.
Haruon Gakusha is in Futaba-cho (Nagata Ward), in the Kobe Shitamachi / coastal-side area. It’s a walk from multiple stations: roughly 13 minutes from JR Takatori Station, about 14 minutes from JR Shin-Nagata Station, and about 9 minutes from Subway Kaigan Line Komagabayashi Station. There’s no dedicated parking—please come by train and on foot. Use the address “神戸市長田区二葉町10-4-17” or search “ハルオン楽舎” in your maps app for the most accurate route.
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