Discover Japan's Premier Outdoor Art Destination: The Hakone Open-Air Museum
Hakone is renowned as one of Japan's premier hot spring destinations, excelling in the three essential elements of hot springs: temperature, flow rate, and mineral content. Despite being easily accessible from Tokyo, it's surrounded by mountains offering rich nature, making it popular for day trips.
While many tourists visit Hakone for its hot springs, numerous tourist attractions are scattered throughout the area. Besides art museums, museums, and shrines, visitors can enjoy various activities including transportation attractions like ropeways, cable cars, and sightseeing cruise ships.
Today, we'll introduce The Hakone Open-Air Museum, highly popular among international visitors.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum: Japan's First "Museum for Sculptures" Built to Contribute to Sculptural Development
The Hakone Open-Air Museum, opened in 1969, is Japan's first museum dedicated to sculpture, featuring an extensive garden. It's famous as Japan's first outdoor museum.
The museum displays over 120 artworks, with some pieces that visitors can touch, climb on, or sit on. While museums typically emphasize "viewing" art, The Hakone Open-Air Museum uniquely offers many interactive pieces visitors can "experience."
Visiting The Hakone Open-Air Museum guarantees an intimate connection with sculpture and immersion in its charm.
Why is The Hakone Open-Air Museum Popular Among International Visitors? Five Key Attractions
Beautiful Harmony Between Nature and Sculpture
Source:Official website
The first attraction is the beautiful harmony between nature and art. The museum features a vast 70,000-square-meter garden with artworks displayed throughout.
While natural and artificial art might seem contradictory, the garden's artworks blend seamlessly with nature, which enhances their beauty. The way natural surroundings reflect on each piece can change its interpretation, encouraging viewers to observe works from various angles. I often found myself losing track of time, captivated by particularly intriguing pieces.
Over 120 Sophisticated Modern Sculptures on Display
Source:Official website
The Hakone Open-Air Museum features over 120 sophisticated modern sculptures. The collection showcases masterpieces by world-renowned contemporary artists including Picasso, Rodin, Bourdel, and Moore - offering too much to explore in a single day.
The popular outdoor area utilizes the vast grounds to display various works, from dynamic large-scale installations to minimal pieces perfect for children's photo opportunities. While museums can seem formal, The Hakone Open-Air Museum offers theme park-like excitement that captivates even those unfamiliar with art galleries.
Interactive Art Installations for All Ages
Source:Official website
The museum offers interactive art installations enjoyable for both children and adults. These hands-on exhibits are consistently bustling with young visitors.
The "Woods of Net" is particularly popular, allowing full-body interaction with the artwork. Inside a dome-like structure made of stacked wooden beams, colorful hand-woven nets hang from the ceiling like hammocks for climbing. The hammocks feature attached balls that visitors can ride or push for a swinging sensation.
While Woods of Net is limited to elementary school students and younger, watching children's joyful expressions made me wish I could return to childhood and experience it myself. For adults, there's the "Symphony of Happiness Sculpture," which I'll describe later.
Foot Baths, Cafes, and Restaurants for a Relaxing Visit
Source:Official website
The facility includes foot baths (ashiyu: bathing method where only below the knees is submerged), cafes, and restaurants for a leisurely experience.
I recommend the "Forest Foot Bath," renovated in July 2024. Here, visitors can enjoy foot bathing while listening to birdsong and viewing the surrounding trees and mountains. The seating features 15 carefully selected domestic and international stones, showcasing the sculptural appeal of stone as a medium. It offers a luxurious relaxation time immersed in nature and art.
There are three dining options:
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum Cafe
- Bella Foresta
- Sculpture Forest Dining
The popular Bella Foresta restaurant offers a buffet-style dining experience. Enjoy unlimited portions of both classic dishes and seasonal specialties to energize yourself for afternoon exploration!
Easy Access via Hakone Tozan Railway
Source:Hakone Navi
The fifth highlight is the convenient access via the Hakone Tozan Railway. To reach The Hakone Open-Air Museum from central Tokyo, take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station, or if starting from Tokyo Station, take JR to Odawara Station. From there, take the Odakyu Hakone Tozan Line to Hakone-Yumoto Station. From Hakone-Yumoto Station, board the Hakone Tozan Railway, and it's just a 2-minute walk from Chokoku-no-Mori Station.
The Hakone Tozan Railway is one of Japan's premier mountain railways, covering 8.9km from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora in approximately 40 minutes. Known for its powerful ascent through the mountains and featuring exciting switchbacks that train enthusiasts love, the journey to the museum becomes part of the experience.
Three Must-See Artworks Selected by an Art Museum Enthusiast
Here are three notable artworks at The Hakone Open-Air Museum, carefully selected by the author, an avid museum-goer.
Symphony of Happiness Sculpture
Source:Official website
The Symphony of Happiness is an 18-meter-tall tower with an 8-meter interior diameter, decorated with 700 different colored stained glass pieces. Stepping inside from the nature-rich garden, you'll be overwhelmed by its fantastical atmosphere. A spiral staircase leads to the top floor, offering panoramic views of both the museum and Hakone mountains.
I had seen photos of the tower from a friend and was looking forward to visiting. When I finally experienced it in person, the sight before me was beyond what any photograph could capture, leaving me breathless with its beauty. It truly embodied "happiness," creating a space where you wish to linger.
Miss Black Power
Source:Tokyo Shimbun
Miss Black Power, displayed in the museum's prized garden, is a distinctive piece featuring a Black woman in colorful, unique attire. Artist Niki de Saint Phalle created this work while overcoming depression following her marriage and childbirth. Standing 5 meters tall with a voluminous figure against Hakone's majestic nature, it commands attention as one of the museum's most striking pieces.
During my first viewing, I felt an inexhaustible power emanating from it, mysteriously energizing my own spirit. Why not experience the empowering presence of Miss Black Power yourself?
Picasso Pavilion at The Hakone Open-Air Museum
Source:Official website
The Picasso exhibition showcases works by the renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The collection features 319 Picasso pieces, including 188 ceramic works purchased from Maya Picasso (Picasso's daughter), along with sculptures, paintings, and precious metal objects. Notable works include the sculpture "Harlequin," the print "Minotauromachie," and the painting "Still Life with Cat."
The spacious pavilion features a minimalist white design with high-transparency glass, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the artwork. Inside, Picasso's uniquely creative worldview unfolds, immediately drawing visitors into its allure. Take your time to thoroughly explore the collection.
Access to The Hakone Open-Air Museum
Address: 1121 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Access: 2-minute walk from Chokoku-no-Mori Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway
Official Website: https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/
3 Recommended Museums to Visit Along with The Hakone Open-Air Museum
Here's a curated selection of museums perfect for art enthusiasts:
Hakone Glass Forest Museum
Source:Official website
The Hakone Glass Forest Museum specializes in Venetian glass and contemporary glass art. The central garden features seasonal flowers and a Crystal Corridor made of approximately 160,000 crystals. The corridor's appearance transforms with changing sunlight and wind, creating breathtaking displays of light perfect for photography.
Beyond art viewing, visitors can enjoy glassmaking workshops, dining at the restaurant, and shopping at the museum store. I tried the sandblasting technique at the glass workshop, creating a custom glass with floral designs and initials. I loved it so much that I use it daily!
Recommended for those wanting to experience the beauty of glass art.
Store Information:
Address: 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Hours: 10:00-17:30
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone: 0460-86-3111
Official Website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp/
Pola Museum of Art
Source:Official website
Let me translate the articles while incorporating "The Hakone Open-Air Museum" naturally.
The Pola Museum of Art houses around 10,000 art pieces, primarily focused on Western paintings including Impressionist works. The collection features notable artists like Monet, Renoir, and Picasso. The most popular piece is Monet's "Water Lily Pond," part of his famous "Water Lilies" series, featuring a drum bridge reminiscent of Japanese architecture. While this indoor collection impresses visitors, those seeking an outdoor art experience might also enjoy The Hakone Open-Air Museum nearby.
The museum's "Forest Walking Path," stretching 670m, is highly regarded. I've walked it during breaks. The path is dotted with sculptural works amid lush greenery, making it feel like a treasure hunt.
Recommended for those interested in Western art.
Store Information:
Address: 1285 Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 0460-84-2111
Official Website: https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/
Hakone Okada Museum of Art
Source:Official website
The Hakone Okada Museum of Art houses Oriental art pieces and archaeological heritage, primarily from Japan, China, and Korea. With grounds spanning approximately 5000m², it's one of Hakone's largest museums, showcasing a diverse collection from the Jomon period to contemporary times, including Japanese paintings, ceramics, and crafts.
The facility features gardens and restaurants, but the must-visit spot is the footbath café using 100% pure, unaltered hot spring water. While soaking your feet, you can admire the impressive "Wind and Time" mural featuring Fujin and Raijin (wind and thunder gods). I tried their famous oshiruko (sweet red bean soup) with homemade bean paste, which was delightfully smooth.
It's rare to enjoy premium drinks and sweets while foot-bathing and viewing masterpieces. Why not experience this unique moment at the footbath café?
Recommended for those interested in Oriental art.
Store Information:
Address: 493-1 Kowakudani, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: December 31st, January 1st
Phone: 0460-87-3931
Official Website: https://www.okada-museum.com/
