Rokko Mountain's Summer Tradition 'Himuro Opening' to Be Held at Rokko Shidare, the Nature-Immersive Observation Deck on July 13 (Mon)!

Rokkosan Tourism Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe City, President: Akitaka Senoo) will hold the 'Himuro Opening' at 'Rokko Shidare – Nature-Immersive Observation Deck (Designer: Hiroshi San'ichi)' located within the Rokko Garden Terrace area on Mount Rokko. On July 13 (Monday), the opening day of Rokko Shidare, the door to the 'Himuro (ice storage room)', where ice has been stored since winter, will be opened at 9:00 AM to allow mountain winds to flow in. Inside the observation deck, the 'Fushitsu (Wind Room)' will begin offering the 'Cool Wind Experience,' providing a refreshing environment approximately 10°C cooler than downtown Kobe, powered entirely by natural forces. A free viewing tour for customers is also available, limited to five groups.

As of July 6 (Monday), approximately 10 tons of ice remain inside the Himuro.

Limited to 5 Groups! 'Himuro Opening' Viewing Tour

【Date & Time】July 13, 2026 (Mon), 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

【Admission】Free

【Capacity】5 groups (up to 4 people per group)

【Application Method】

Registration opens by phone at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 9 (078-894-2281). Registration will close once capacity is reached, so please understand.

【Notes】This is a rare annual opportunity to view the normally closed-off interior of the Himuro. After the tour, participants can also enjoy the ongoing 'Strange Plants Exhibition' at Rokko Shidare for free. We welcome your visit.

About the 'Strange Plants Exhibition'

An experiential exhibition event where visitors can observe 15 unusual and slightly adorable 'plants that seem too strange to be real.'

【Period】Currently ongoing until August 16 (Sun)

【Location】Rokko Shidare – Nature-Immersive Observation Deck

【Notes】Admission is included with the regular entry fee to Rokko Shidare.

About 'Ice Harvesting, Himuro Opening, and Cool Wind Experience'

'Ice' was an extremely valuable commodity before refrigerators became widely available. On Mount Rokko, thick natural ice formed on mountain ponds during winter was harvested and stored, then transported down to the foothills in spring and summer to be sold in urban areas like Kobe and Osaka.

The path used to transport the ice is known as the 'Ice Road,' which still exists today as a hiking trail.

At 'Rokko Shidare – Nature-Immersive Observation Deck,' the 'Ice Harvesting' event is held annually around January 20, 'Dai-kan' (the coldest day of the year), inspired by this history. 'Ice Harvesting' involves filling the 'Hyodana (ice shelf)' located on the east side of the observation deck with water to form ice, which is then cut out using chainsaws. The harvested ice is stored in the 'Himuro (ice storage room)' inside the observation deck. Since 2024, due to warm winters and poor ice formation on the Hyodana, snow from the slopes of the nearby Rokko Mountain Snow Park has been cut and stored in the Himuro. However, this year, with less impact from warm winters, sufficient ice was secured on the Hyodana, allowing the traditional method of 'Ice Harvesting' to be restored.

Every year on July 13, the opening day of Rokko Shidare, the door to the 'Himuro,' where ice has been stored, is opened in the 'Himuro Opening' ceremony to allow the wind blowing over Mount Rokko to enter. The wind passing through the Himuro becomes chilled and is drawn into the 'Fushitsu (Wind Room)' inside the observation deck through armrest vents on the chairs. The temperature inside the Wind Room is approximately 10°C lower than downtown Kobe, creating a cool and pleasant atmosphere. This experience, which provides cooling without using any electricity and relies solely on natural power, is called the 'Cool Wind Experience.'

◆ Rokko Shidare – Nature-Immersive Observation Deck Operating Information

【Hours】10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last admission at 8:30 PM) / Open daily

※ Closing times may vary by season and day. Please check the official website for details.

Website: https://www.rokkosan.com/gt/operation/

【Admission Fee】Adults (Junior high school students and above): ¥1,000 / Children (ages 4–elementary school): ¥500

'Rokko Jinguiscan Palace: Celebration! 50th Anniversary Gratitude Festival' Now On!

'Rokko Jinguiscan Palace,' a specialty restaurant serving Jinguiscan (grilled lamb) dishes within Rokko Garden Terrace, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on July 14, 2026 (Tue). To commemorate this milestone, the 'Rokko Jinguiscan Palace: Celebration! 50th Anniversary Gratitude Festival' is currently underway until November 30 (Mon). The event features limited-time menus such as value-priced set lunches inspired by the founding year (1976), discount campaigns, and special photo spots. Enjoy the restaurant's traditional flavors, unchanged for 50 years, along with the refreshing climate of Mount Rokko.

◆ Recommended Limited-Time Event Menus

◆ Discount & Reward Campaign: 50 Years of Gratitude

(1) On the 29th of each month during the event period (July–November, 'Meat Day'), all individual lamb menu items are offered at 10% off!

(2) During lunch hours only, lamb rolls are available at a one-coin price of ¥500 (tax included) for 50g!

(Regularly ¥1,400 for 100g) *Available only as additional orders. Last order at 2:00 PM for lunch.

(3) During the event period, customers whose birthday is on the founding day (July 14) receive a 50% discount on their total bill at checkout! Up to five people, including companions, are eligible for the discount.

※ A photo ID with date of birth (e.g., driver’s license, My Number card) must be presented at checkout. Without presentation, the regular price will apply. Please note in advance.

◆ 'Rokko Jinguiscan Palace: Celebration! 50th Anniversary Gratitude Festival' Event Overview

【Period】July 1, 2026 (Wed) – November 30, 2026 (Mon)

【Closed】Every Thursday ※ Open on weekends from July 18 (Sat) to August 31 (Mon); open on October 29 (Thu)

【Hours】

Until July 17 (Fri)

<Weekdays> Last order: 2:00 PM (lunch), 7:00 PM (dinner)

<Weekends & Holidays> Last order: 7:00 PM

From July 18 (Sat) onward

<Weekdays> Last order: 2:00 PM (lunch), 8:00 PM (dinner)

<Weekends & Holidays> Last order: 8:00 PM

※ On the final day, November 30 (Mon), hours are 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last order)

Rokko Mountain Official Website: https://www.rokkosan.com/

Press Release: https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/07/9849297928b31b7fc10d183eca7b6a5e7bb0b77e.pdf

Publisher: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings

1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka City