A new immersive experience is coming to Rokko Garden Terrace this spring. The Kimyoi Plant Exhibition in Rokko Garden Terrace — Urban Legend Garden Where Cosmic Plants Inhabit opens on April 17, 2026 at the Shizen Taikan Observatory Rokko Shidare (designed by Hiroshi Sambuichi), running through August 16, 2026.
The exhibition takes Mt. Rokko's well-known history of UFO sightings and urban legends — including tales of creatures like "Turbo Babaa" and "Sky Fish" — as its setting. The concept imagines that aliens based on the mountain have hidden "cosmic plants," biological observation devices, throughout the natural environment. Visitors can observe and interact with more than 10 types of these strange, slightly cute plants throughout the venue.
Among the highlights are a sunflower with eyes, a laughing mushroom, and a flower that scatters mysterious messages. The venue blends real nature with the event's deliberately "unnatural" additions, creating an immersive space where eeriness and humor coexist.
The event is produced by Kabushiki Kaisha Ningen — a creative company known for genre-defying concepts — and Nai Kabushiki Kaisha, a production firm that turns negative concepts into entertaining ideas. Together, they have crafted a pop, interactive take on urban legend aesthetics.
The Story Behind the Exhibition
Mt. Rokko has long been associated with unexplained phenomena and urban legends. The exhibition builds on this reputation with an original narrative: aliens who have established a base on the mountain are secretly observing humanity through "cosmic plants" they have planted in the wild. The result is a space where the genuine natural scenery of Rokko Garden Terrace mingles with the deliberately strange, producing an experience that is both curious and fun.
A Glimpse of the Cosmic Plants
The Shizen Taikan Observatory Rokko Shidare will be home to more than 10 types of cosmic plants, each rooted in something unique to Mt. Rokko. Five of the plants have been previewed ahead of the opening — all of them strange and slightly endearing, with more still waiting to be discovered on the day.
Information on original merchandise and limited menu items is scheduled for release in early April, ahead of the opening.
Event Details
Event: Kimyoi Plant Exhibition in Rokko Garden Terrace — Urban Legend Garden Where Cosmic Plants Inhabit
Dates: April 17 (Fri) – August 16 (Sun), 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (last admission 8:30 PM)
Venue: Shizen Taikan Observatory Rokko Shidare, Rokko Garden Terrace
Admission:
- Adults (middle school age and above): ¥1,000
- Children (ages 4 to elementary school): ¥500
- Children aged 3 and under: Free
All prices include tax. The event may be temporarily closed or altered due to weather conditions. Exhibition content is fictional and based on urban legends.
Official site: https://www.rokkosan.com/gt/kimyoishokubutsuten/
