ROKKO Forest Sound Museum

Introduction

The former Rokko Musical Box Museum is now the ROKKO Forest Sound Museum, in woodland on the summit of Mt Rokko at 4512-145 Kita-Rokko, reached by cable car and then the summit bus. Its collection runs from late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century European and American music boxes, automatic organs and automaton figures. Once an hour a staff member winds and explains several machines in the 'concert without a performer', and one ticket lets you stay for three or four rounds, each with different instruments and pieces. The new name points to what was added: the SIKI garden climbs the slope as a walk of sounds, replanted through the seasons and fitted with devices visitors set ringing themselves; on Sundays from May to October there are short live recitals, and the terrace cafe lets you listen to the wind in the trees over a cup. A workshop inside lets you choose a movement and a tune and assemble your own box, with advance booking. The summit runs five or six degrees colder than the city, Thursdays are closed from late November to mid March, and snow can thin out the cable car and summit bus services. JPY 1,700 is not cheap, but it covers the recitals, garden and galleries, and pairs well with Rokko Shidare and the alpine botanical garden for a half day up top.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info