Hikari No Mori (illuminated forest)
~Night Art Walk~

Kobe’s most popular annual modern art festival “KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond” started in the Mt. Rokko area in the middle of the hot summer season (August). Now, the season has completely changed. It’s the beginning of the cool autumn season which is known as the best season for mountain hikes and art appreciation here in Japan, and KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond is in full swing. Along with the MEETS ART, an illuminated art event “Hikari No Mori ~Night Art Walk~” has also been taking place in the same area.
Hikari No Mori is a very special night event because the event-related facilities are usually closed at night, however they are open exclusively for this night art event. It would be an absolutely great opportunity to get a feel of Mt. Rokko’s nice and cool ambience while appreciating astonishingly illuminated masterpieces of art at night.

We will share part of this cool event including some of the great art pieces from 17 different artists with you!

The venues are Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden and ROKKO MORINONE MUSEUM.

【Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden】
This garden is the best place where you can perceive the passage of seasons while enjoying a variety of seasonal plants in Mt. Rokko’s bountiful nature.

During the art festival period, the garden proudly offers both beautiful plants in the daytime and mystique artworks at night in the property. Why not stay all day and take delight in the wonderful contrasts of the garden like in the photos shown above and below.

Hikari No Mori ~Night Art Walk~ takes place only on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays until November 24th. After dusk, the special effects with fantastic illumination and music will undoubtedly mesmerize you, making your visit very precious and memorable.

■Wind of Plants Hill
HAFEN Kou HONDA

Each artwork will show you two different presences in the daytime and the nighttime. Come and see the difference!

<Special Night Exhibits>

■“Light Island”
-Noctilucent plants “UkarukuPa” Phosphorescence experimental area-
Reiichi NAMATAME
This art piece is lit by black lights and the soft illumination lights. The energy of the lights is accumulated by the sunlight in the daytime. The luminous substances from the art piece sparkle and create its mysteriously beautiful aura all over the area.

<Experience-based Artworks>

KIRA★KIRA★KI RALLY
Kyota TAKAHASHI

Let’s explore the garden and collect the glittering-colored pieces like the photo shown above!

It would be a great idea to swing by 5 Hikari no Izumi (shining fountain) spots and reach the goal while enjoying quaint leaves that turn red day by day during the autumn season.

Related article↓
https://kobe-rokko.jp/en/events/2197/ (English)

The special effects, which are created by an amazing lighting technology with mica bando’s mystical music, change based on the color of the illumination. As the effect differs every year, it will never cease to fascinate frequent visitors.

Come and experience this serene and surreal world that spreads right before your eyes, you will lose track of time!

【ROKKO MORINONE MUSEUM】
ROKKO MORINONE MUSEUM just marked its 30th anniversary this year. Various pieces of art are displayed in the museum and some of them can be seen after the festival.

Illuminated Fruit “HIKARINOMI” in SIKI Garden
Kyota TAKAHASHI

The artwork “Illuminated Fruit “HIKARINOMI” in SIKI Garden” is composed of a countless number of colorful LED bulbs which are attached to branches. The LED bulbs are covered with translucent plastic bags and on the surfaces of the bags, beloved people’s smiles are drawn by local children in Kobe. This heartwarming colorful artwork creates an incredibly romantic atmosphere in the dark forest. As each smile has its uniqueness, come close to check them out.

Indulge in a very sweet and romantic moment enveloped by this colorfully illuminated artwork and mica bondo’s mystical music.

We happened to see a couple who took part in the stamp collecting event. The stamps are installed right next to the art pieces. They said, they spent all day from morning to night collecting most of the stamps and it was very enjoyable. It would be a lot of fun to visit as many art pieces as possible and collect the stamps if time allows just like this lovely couple.

With regard to admission tickets, “One day passport with Hikari no Mori night ticket” is highly recommended if you would like to spend the entire day exploring the Mt. Rokko area.
Check out more details↓
https://www.rokkomeetsart.jp/english/passport/ (English)

Since the temperature will fluctuate a lot in this period, make sure to bring additional clothes to keep yourself warm.
It is well-known in Japan that “Autumn is the season of art”. “KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond” will be taking place until November 24th. What do you say to visiting Mt. Rokko and deepening your knowledge of art while feeling the autumn vibes of nature?

◇Information◇
Mori no Café (Extended business hours)
Mori no Café (ROKKO MORINONE MUSEUM) will extend their business hour to 7 pm (last call: 6:30 pm) on the day of “Hikari no Mori (Night Art Walk)”.
https://www.rokkosan.com/top/eat/morino_cafe/?lang=en (English)

Mountain Café Rokko Edelweiss (Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden)
https://www.rokkosan.com/top/eat/edelwaiss/?lang=en (English)

【Hikari no Mori ~Night Art Walk~】
https://rokkomeetsart.jp/english/hikarinomori/ (English)
Opening period: Until November 24th (Only on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays)
Opening hours: 5 pm – 8 pm (Night tickets go on sale at 4 pm.)
*The event may be cancelled in the event of severe weather.

【KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond】
https://rokkomeetsart.jp/english/ (English)
Period: Until November 24th (Sun)

▼KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond-related article↓
https://kobe-rokko.jp/en/events/6499/ (English)

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KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond
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