Nestled in the lush greenery of Mount Rokkō, the Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum (formerly the International Box Museum) offers a magical escape into the world of mechanical music. This unique Kobe destination invites visitors to wander through a serene “SIKI Garden” while listening to the delicate melodies of vintage music boxes and automated instruments. Whether you are a nature lover seeking a peaceful retreat or a fan of exquisite craftsmanship, the museum’s blend of forest scenery and nostalgic acoustics makes it a must-visit highlight of the Mt. Rokkō area.
In the cottage-style museum, there are a variety of mechanical instruments, including musical boxes made from the second half of the 19th century to the early 20th century. Concerts without humans as performers are held in each area throughout the day. So on your arrival, check with the staff about what is on and the performance time at each corner! Not only are there classical songs, but those old mechanical instruments can also play modern music (anime – dragon ball’s theme song, for example)!
Tip: A hidden spot is a room on the third floor where you can look down on the music box concert room below (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Enjoy Different Types of Music at SIKI Garden
Take a relaxing stroll into the museum’s garden – SIKI and discover how they elevate musical boxes to a whole new level!
The benches in the SIKI garden that look like those in people’s backyards or front gardens will give you some pleasant surprises. Soon after you sit down, soothing music will fill your ears, helping you relax and enjoy the surrounding nature even more.
If you see a wooden bird sculpture in the garden, pet it, even if you don’t normally get close to those flying creatures. This is when you revive the bird, and to thank you, it twitters off some delightful forest-themed music (^_-)-☆.
Also, if you notice a thread coming out of a birdhouse in the garden, it isn’t for birds. As you pull the thread down, a song will start playing. Hunting all 15 of these birdhouses down and finding out which classical or contemporary songs you like the best is another way to enjoy your time at the museum (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Apart from those special devices, ordinary items can also be found in the garden. Hammocks and chairs are placed throughout the garden for you to rest in. And if you need some more “privacy”, book one of those transparent SIKI Dome (SIKIドーム) to find out what it is like to be in a “room” in nature!
Live Concert at Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum
Each Sunday from May to October, there are live musical concerts by various performers at 12:35 pm, 1:35 pm, and 2:35 pm. Each concert is around 20 minutes. If it rains, the starting time may differ from above.
Garden SIKI’s Flower Calendar
- Crocus, daffodil, muscari: Late March to early May
- Iris: Late May to late June
- Hydrangea: Late June to mid-August
- Lilies and waterlilies: late June to mid-August
- Autumn foliage: Mid-October to mid-November
Music Box Assembly (オルゴール組立体験)
For those who would love to make their music box, it is possible at Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum!
There are two different assembly activities you can choose from, starting with a beginner course where a lot of the work has been done for you. All you need to do is pick the songs you like, affix everything, and decorate the box. The course costs from 3,600 yen and takes around 30 minutes.
If you prefer to be more involved in the process, you can also participate in an advanced course. This course costs more than the beginner course, from 4,600 yen, and takes around 45 minutes.
To make your music box at Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum, purchase a ticket at the reception. Booking can be made through a phone call at +81-78-891-1284. You can also make an online booking HERE (page in Japanese only) if you have a jaran account.
Refer to the official website HERE for more details. You can change the language setting at the bottom right of the webpage.
Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily except Thursdays unless it is a public holiday.
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- The admission fee is
- 1,700 yen for adults
- 850 yen for children from the age of 4 to elementary school students
- Combo ticket with Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden (六甲高山植物園)
- 2,100 yen for adults
- 1,050 yen for children from the age of 4 to elementary school students
- From Rokkō Cable Line’s Rokkō Sanjō Station (六甲山上駅), take Rokko Sanjo Bus Route 1 (六甲山上バス1系統) and get off at Mori no Oto Museum(森の音ミュージアム).
- Refer to our How to Get to and Travel Between Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya article for the mountain’s access information.
Tip: Pre-purchase your admission ticket HERE and save!
Discover Other Attractions in Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya
Rokkō Mori no Oto Museum is just one of the many awesome attractions in Mt. Rokkō. To find out where else you can visit during your time on the mountain, check out our article about Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya for more information (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ!
