Yes they are roots, but they (the roots) are specifically grown for this appearance. Essentially it's a very, very poor representation of the Neagari style.
The "Ginseng Ficus" is not a species, its a marketing term. What a "Ginseng Ficus" is, is a seed grown, large leaf Ficus microcarpa, top grafted with a medium leaf Ficus microcarpa. Ficus microcarpa is native to China, and the natural growth habbit of seed grown Ficus is to form tuber like roots. If you cut below the graft union, you will see the large leaf pop out.
The best treatment for these is to first clean and heal the graft union to utilize the smaller leaf size. Then, find the widest point of the tuber-like roots, and cut there and create a shohin with a ton of taper instantly.