ROKKO Forest Sound Museum (ROKKO森の音ミュージアム), operated by Rokko Mountain Tourism Co., Ltd., will hold the "Cats and Kotatsu Warm Fair 2026" (「猫とこたつのあったかフェア2026」) from December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027.
Fair Overview
Themed on "cats" and "kotatsu" (a low heated table), the fair offers a cozy way to spend winter on Mount Rokko.
During the fair, Japanese paintings on the theme of cats by artist Atsuko Suwa will be on display and for sale. The museum will also prepare a Concert Room where visitors can lie down with plush toys such as cats while listening to music box performances and more, as well as props to support plush-toy photography.
Kotatsu will also be set up at several spots in the facility, including the Concert Room, the terrace seats of the Forest Café, the music box assembly workshop room, the treehouse, and SIKI Dome Forest Library.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Artist: Atsuko Suwa (Japanese Painting)
Born in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Completed the Japanese painting course at the Graduate School of Art, Kyoto Seika University. Currently an associate member of the Sogakai art association.
Suwa paints subjects encountered in daily life, such as cats and familiar plants, while paying attention to ordinary scenery and the figures of living creatures.
Event Highlights
(1) Concert Without Performers – Winter Concert
During the fair, a "Concert Without Performers – Winter Concert" will be held, with antique music boxes and other automatic musical instruments playing winter-themed pieces and songs related to cats. Viewing seats in the front row of the Concert Room allow guests to sit in a kotatsu together with a plush cat and listen at a relaxed pace. (16 seats, first come, first served)
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 10:00 AM / 11:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM / 2:00 PM / 3:00 PM / 4:00 PM (about 30 minutes each)
Program examples:
- "Winter" from The Four Seasons (composed by Vivaldi)
- "Let It Go" from the film Frozen
- "Memory" from the musical Cats, and more
Plush-Toy Lounging Concert Room (ぬいと寝そべりコンサートルーム)
For a limited time, a space is being set up on the 3rd-floor loft seating, where visitors can lie down on a rug area surrounded by plush toys and enjoy the concert. (A space for about 1 to 4 people, first come, first served)
(2) Exhibition "Kyo mo Ashita mo Neko Biyori" (きょうも あしたも 猫日和)
About five Japanese paintings on the theme of cats by Atsuko Suwa will be displayed and sold.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(3) Museum Shop (ミュージアムショップ時音)
The museum shop sells cat-design music boxes and other goods.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
*The shop will close at 3:00 PM on Friday, February 26, 2027, for inventory.
(4) Music Box Assembly Workshop
With support from a music box craftsperson, visitors can make a music box with a tune of their own choosing. Participants pick a favorite song, case, and course (standard or advanced) and can take the finished music box home. At the times listed below, participants can take part while warming up at a special kotatsu seat (one table, first come, first served). Winter-themed decorative accessories (extra charge) are also available.
*The advanced course requires a reservation in advance.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Meeting times:
Weekdays: 10:45 AM / 1:45 PM / 2:45 PM
Weekends and holidays: 10:45 AM / 11:45 AM / 12:45 PM / 1:45 PM / 2:45 PM
(about 30 to 40 minutes each)
Price: from ¥3,800 (varies by case and course)
(5) Forest Café Limited Menu
Kotatsu seats on the terrace let guests enjoy the winter scenery while they eat.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM (last order 4:00 PM)
During this period, the "Awaji Onion Curry" (regular size, ¥1,350) from the adjoining Forest Café menu will be served with cat-shaped rice.
(6) Warm Wear Rental
Warm wear in cute designs, such as animal motifs like cats and cardigans, is available to borrow. (First come, first served, limited to 8 items) Visitors can also wear them for a stroll through the winter SIKI Garden – Path of Sounds (hereafter, SIKI Garden), including the treehouse.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: Free
(7) Nyan Nyan Nyan Stamp Rally
Visitors collect stamps at three spots in SIKI Garden, along with cat trivia.
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: Free
(8) Plush-Toy Photo Support Fair
Photo props for "nui-tori" (plush-toy photography) are available to borrow for free. Visitors without a plush toy of their own can still try the plush-toy hobby with loaner plush toys such as cats.
*Nui-tori means photographing a plush toy of one's "oshi" (a favorite character, idol, or the like).
Period: December 26 (Saturday), 2026 to March 12 (Friday), 2027
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: Free
Visitor Information
Admission
- Adult (junior high school age and above): ¥1,700
- Child (ages 4 to elementary school): ¥850
Hours
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ticket sales end at 4:30 PM)
Closed Days
Every Thursday and January 1 (Friday), 2027, during the period above
*Open on February 11 (Thursday, national holiday), 2027.
Parking Fee: ¥1,000 per regular car
Winter-Only Combination Tickets (Admission and Transport)
These winter-only combination tickets bundle transport, admission, and other benefits at a discount.
Rokko Cable & Museum Warm Ticket (六甲ケーブル＆ミュージアム あったかきっぷ)
A combination ticket recommended for visitors coming from the Kobe, Sannomiya, and Osaka directions.
Period: December 1 (Tuesday), 2026 to March 19 (Friday), 2027
*Not sold on the museum's closed days.
Price: ¥3,700 (adults only)
Sold at: Rokko Cable Lower Station
Included:
- ROKKO Forest Sound Museum admission ticket (showing this ticket gives accompanying children ¥50 off admission)
- Round-trip Rokko Cable ride
- Rokko Mountaintop Bus (六甲山上バス) Route 1 one-day free pass
- 10% off at the Forest Café
- 5% off at the Museum Shop (ミュージアムショップ時音)
- 5% off the music box assembly workshop
- ¥500 off admission to the Rokko Shidare Nature Experience Observatory (自然体感展望台 六甲枝垂れ) (ticket holder only)
Rokko Arima Ropeway & Museum Winter Value Ticket (六甲有馬ロープウェー＆ミュージアム 冬得きっぷ)
A web-only combination ticket recommended for visitors coming from the Arima Onsen direction.
Period: December 1 (Tuesday), 2026 to March 7 (Sunday), 2027
*The museum's closed days cannot be selected when purchasing.
Price: ¥3,500 (adults only)
Sold: Online
Included:
- ROKKO Forest Sound Museum admission ticket (showing this ticket gives accompanying children ¥50 off admission)
- One-way Rokko Arima Ropeway ride
- Rokko Mountaintop Bus Route 1 one-day free pass
- Discount at shops in Rokko Garden Terrace (¥200 off purchases of ¥2,000 or more)
- ¥500 off admission to the Rokko Shidare Nature Experience Observatory (ticket holder only)
*All prices include tax.
*Events without a listed price can be joined with the admission fee alone.
*Prices and stock availability may change suddenly.
Mount Rokko Portal Site: https://www.rokkosan.com/
