Rokko Meets Art
An annual contemporary art festival on Mount Rokko in Kobe, featuring encounters with art in nature.
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If you’re looking for an art experience that combines mountain landscapes, contemporary installations, and a distinctly Kobe sense of place, Kobe Rokko Meets Art (神戸六甲ミーツ・アート) is one of the city’s most memorable seasonal events. Held annually between late August and early November on Mount Rokko, this contemporary art festival invites visitors to explore multiple venues while encountering works by artists from Japan and abroad in nature-rich settings.
Since 2010, approximately 650 artists have participated, and the festival has grown into a signature cultural event on Kobe’s iconic mountain. The 2026 edition marks the festival’s 17th anniversary and centers on the theme “Beyond”, with a focus on new stories emerging through the meeting of art, the layered history of Mt. Rokko, and the people who visit and live around it.
Kobe Rokko Meets Art takes place across multiple venues on Mount Rokko, so access depends on which area you start from. A common route is to take the Rokko Cable from Rokko Cable Shita Station up the mountain (about 10 minutes), then continue by local transport / shuttle (when operating) or on foot to festival venues such as Rokko Garden Terrace, Rokko Shidare, and the museum / botanical garden area.
Because this is a multi-site event, it’s best to decide your starting venue first and check the official festival website for the latest access guidance, transportation details, and route suggestions before you go.
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