Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden: The Popular and Unique "Yukimochiso" is in Full Bloom! Golden Week Events Announced!
The Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden announced that the rare "Yukimochiso" is in full bloom. They also announced extended early opening hours and various special events like the Hammock Cafe for the Golden Week holidays.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 23:50
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At the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden operated by Rokkosan Kanko Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nada-ku, Kobe; President: Akitaka Seno) on Mt. Rokko, the uniquely shaped "Yukimochiso" (Snow rice-cake plant), highly popular among all ages, has reached its peak viewing season.
"Yukimochiso" is a rare plant designated as a Vulnerable (VU) species on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List. It garners popularity due to its unique appearance and its adorable name reminiscent of "mochi" (rice cake).
◆ Yukimochiso (Araceae) Arisaema sikokianum
It is a perennial plant 30-50 cm tall that grows under the forests in the mountainous regions of Honshu (Shizuoka, Mie, and Nara prefectures) and Shikoku. The tip of a flower part called the "appendage" becomes white and round, and it was named "Yukimochiso" because its shape resembles rice cake (mochi) covered in snow. The Yukimochiso blooming in our garden is scattered in about 200 clusters and can be seen until early May.
■ Event Information: "Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden x Koyomi Seikatsu - Hana Biyori"
We will hold exhibitions of the 72 micro-seasons calendar and flower colors, as well as a flower-collecting stamp rally. Enjoy a precious time appreciating the four seasons along with alpine flowers from the Alps, Himalayas, and Japan.
[Dates] Now open - Sunday, July 12
[Time] 10:00 - 17:00 (Ticket sales end at 16:30)
[Participation Fee] Free (Admission fee required separately)
Monday, May 4 (Holiday) is "Greenery Day" - Fresh greenery is at its best
The Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden will open one hour earlier than usual at 9:00 AM during the Golden Week period from Sunday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Only the West Entrance will be open). May 4 is "Greenery Day" and also "Botanical Garden Day" designated by the Japanese Association of Botanical Gardens. The fresh greenery of Japanese larch and Japanese maple is beautiful in the garden. We are also holding events such as the "Hammock Cafe" and the "Early Summer Alpine Plant Exhibition".
■ Regarding Golden Week Operations
[Dates]
May 3 (Sun) - May 5 (Tue/Holiday) Opening at 9:00 AM
* Only the West Entrance will be open
* Shop Alpicola
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
* Cafe Edelweiss
11:00 AM to 4:30 PM
(Last order 4:00 PM)
■ Flowers Expected to Bloom during Golden Week
~ Events held during Golden Week ~
■ A Relaxing Holiday in the Shade: "Hammock Cafe"
We will open a hammock area and special cafe at the Natsutsubaki Square, where the breeze through the trees and dappled sunlight are pleasant.
You can spend a luxurious holiday swaying in a hammock with a drink in hand.
[Dates]
Weekends and holidays from Saturday, April 25 to Wednesday, September 23, 2026
* Held daily from April 29 (Wed/Holiday) to May 6 (Wed/Holiday) and
August 8 (Sat) to 16 (Sun)
* Cancelled in case of rain
■ Early Summer Alpine Plant Exhibition
The garden's oldest event, first held in 1953! We will exhibit potted alpine plants and wildflowers grown by Kansai enthusiasts and hold a spot sale of seedlings.
[Dates]
Saturday, April 25 - Wednesday, May 6, 2026
[Time] 11:00 - 16:30 (Closes at 16:00 on the final day)
[Location] Manneken Pis Square
Cooperation: Kobe Wildflower Society, Ban Engei
■ Koyomi Seikatsu x Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden "Hana Biyori"
Indoors, we feature a panel exhibition explaining the 24 solar terms and 72 micro-seasons, and an installation expressing Japanese colors with the garden's flowers. (Cooperation: Koyomi Seikatsu) Outdoors, we are running a "flower-collecting stamp rally" where you complete an illustration by visiting flowers. We will also sell limited-edition original goods using the main visual illustration.
In addition, a limited-time workshop "Making Botanical Stickers" will be held at Shop Alpicola.
* Contents are subject to change without notice.
◆ Operating Overview
[Opening Period] Now - Sunday, November 29 * There are closed days. Please check the website.
[Opening Hours] 10:00 - 17:00 (Ticket sales end at 16:30)
[Admission Fee] Adults (Junior high school students and above) 900 yen / Children (4 years old to elementary school students) 450 yen
[Parking Fee] 1,000 yen, Busy period GW May 2 (Sat) - May 6 (Wed/Holiday): 2,000 yen
* Business and event details may be changed or cancelled due to stormy weather.
Rokkosan Portal Site https://www.rokkosan.com/
Release https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/04/d684c6de46f8ea82e72ddeb86873e7fbacfde66a.pdf
Publisher: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka
"Yukimochiso" is a rare plant designated as a Vulnerable (VU) species on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List. It garners popularity due to its unique appearance and its adorable name reminiscent of "mochi" (rice cake).
◆ Yukimochiso (Araceae) Arisaema sikokianum
It is a perennial plant 30-50 cm tall that grows under the forests in the mountainous regions of Honshu (Shizuoka, Mie, and Nara prefectures) and Shikoku. The tip of a flower part called the "appendage" becomes white and round, and it was named "Yukimochiso" because its shape resembles rice cake (mochi) covered in snow. The Yukimochiso blooming in our garden is scattered in about 200 clusters and can be seen until early May.
■ Event Information: "Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden x Koyomi Seikatsu - Hana Biyori"
We will hold exhibitions of the 72 micro-seasons calendar and flower colors, as well as a flower-collecting stamp rally. Enjoy a precious time appreciating the four seasons along with alpine flowers from the Alps, Himalayas, and Japan.
[Dates] Now open - Sunday, July 12
[Time] 10:00 - 17:00 (Ticket sales end at 16:30)
[Participation Fee] Free (Admission fee required separately)
Monday, May 4 (Holiday) is "Greenery Day" - Fresh greenery is at its best
The Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden will open one hour earlier than usual at 9:00 AM during the Golden Week period from Sunday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Only the West Entrance will be open). May 4 is "Greenery Day" and also "Botanical Garden Day" designated by the Japanese Association of Botanical Gardens. The fresh greenery of Japanese larch and Japanese maple is beautiful in the garden. We are also holding events such as the "Hammock Cafe" and the "Early Summer Alpine Plant Exhibition".
■ Regarding Golden Week Operations
[Dates]
May 3 (Sun) - May 5 (Tue/Holiday) Opening at 9:00 AM
* Only the West Entrance will be open
* Shop Alpicola
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
* Cafe Edelweiss
11:00 AM to 4:30 PM
(Last order 4:00 PM)
■ Flowers Expected to Bloom during Golden Week
~ Events held during Golden Week ~
■ A Relaxing Holiday in the Shade: "Hammock Cafe"
We will open a hammock area and special cafe at the Natsutsubaki Square, where the breeze through the trees and dappled sunlight are pleasant.
You can spend a luxurious holiday swaying in a hammock with a drink in hand.
[Dates]
Weekends and holidays from Saturday, April 25 to Wednesday, September 23, 2026
* Held daily from April 29 (Wed/Holiday) to May 6 (Wed/Holiday) and
August 8 (Sat) to 16 (Sun)
* Cancelled in case of rain
■ Early Summer Alpine Plant Exhibition
The garden's oldest event, first held in 1953! We will exhibit potted alpine plants and wildflowers grown by Kansai enthusiasts and hold a spot sale of seedlings.
[Dates]
Saturday, April 25 - Wednesday, May 6, 2026
[Time] 11:00 - 16:30 (Closes at 16:00 on the final day)
[Location] Manneken Pis Square
Cooperation: Kobe Wildflower Society, Ban Engei
■ Koyomi Seikatsu x Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden "Hana Biyori"
Indoors, we feature a panel exhibition explaining the 24 solar terms and 72 micro-seasons, and an installation expressing Japanese colors with the garden's flowers. (Cooperation: Koyomi Seikatsu) Outdoors, we are running a "flower-collecting stamp rally" where you complete an illustration by visiting flowers. We will also sell limited-edition original goods using the main visual illustration.
In addition, a limited-time workshop "Making Botanical Stickers" will be held at Shop Alpicola.
* Contents are subject to change without notice.
◆ Operating Overview
[Opening Period] Now - Sunday, November 29 * There are closed days. Please check the website.
[Opening Hours] 10:00 - 17:00 (Ticket sales end at 16:30)
[Admission Fee] Adults (Junior high school students and above) 900 yen / Children (4 years old to elementary school students) 450 yen
[Parking Fee] 1,000 yen, Busy period GW May 2 (Sat) - May 6 (Wed/Holiday): 2,000 yen
* Business and event details may be changed or cancelled due to stormy weather.
Rokkosan Portal Site https://www.rokkosan.com/
Release https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/04/d684c6de46f8ea82e72ddeb86873e7fbacfde66a.pdf
Publisher: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka