[Hakone] Enjoy art while walking at The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Speaking of the Hakone museum, I wonder if many people first think of The Hakone Open-Air Museum. More than half a century since its opening, it has attracted people with its dynamic open-air exhibits. In recent years, photogenic art works have attracted buzz. We will introduce one of the best sights of Hakone, which you can enjoy no matter how many times you visit.

Opening as Japan's first open-air museum

It was in 1969 that The Hakone Open-Air Museum was opened. At that time there were no museums dedicated to sculptural works in the country, and it was also the first time this was built outdoors. Bukichi Inoue, a sculptor who worked on the design, created a new museum in which the sculpture and nature harmonized, taking advantage of the topography surrounded by Mt. It now displays about 120 of its near and modern sculptures in the open air.

The highlight is the sculptural works of global masters

The site area is approximately 70,000 m². The main outdoor exhibition hall is dotted with a variety of sculptures, including works by global master Rodin. Among them, Henry Moore's collection is one of the best in the world. The QR code of the audio guide page is installed on the commentary board of the 15 outdoor works, so if you want to know more about it, let's go.

Art works that can take pictures that shine!

Outdoor sculpture works are OK only for personal use. Some of them can approach and take pictures together.
The 18m-high tower, "Symphony Sculpture of Happiness", is a symbolic presence of the Sculpture Museum. Its appearance in a commercial made it a notch famous. Inside is inset with hand-split stained glass, which adds to the glow when it receives light from the outside. Climbing the spiral staircase to the roof, you can see the entire museum.

“Cosmic Color Space”, which consists of 12 2m square squares, is an environmental sculpture made with the idea of fusion with nature. If you enter the microcosm of color, you can take unique photos.

Experiential art works that children can go inside and play are also very popular. The Forest of the Net has a huge hammock with colorful hand-knit knits strung together inside a wooden dome. Even though elementary school students can jump up and down in the net or hang on the ball, it's a fun piece just looking at it.

The outdoor exhibition center is very large, so if you walk tired, let's take a break.

There are other rest spots. "Poketo" was made using the height difference of the site. "is an area where you can relax while watching the nature of Hakone. A colorful sofa is set up on the slope of the lawn, and works such as the Cosmic Color Space are also on display.

Also a must see the Picasso Museum and other indoor exhibitions

The "Sculptured Forest Museum" boasts one of the country's premier Picasso collections. At the Picasso Museum, which opened in 1984, 319 works were published sequentially, mainly 188 pieces of ceramics purchased from her eldest daughter, Maya Picasso. From May 2022, the collection is presented (until 26 May 2025), divided into 17 subjects, as the permanent exhibition "Picasso of a variant".

Access and check rates!

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is conveniently accessible by train. It is a two-minute walk from the nearest station, the Hakone-Tozan Railway Chokokunomori. If it is a bus, it is a 6-minute walk from the entrance of the bus stop Ninotaira. There is also a large parking lot, but during the busy season it is recommended to use public transport as it will be full from the morning.
If you present a "Hakone Free Pass" where eight transportation facilities such as the Hakone Tozan Railway and the Hakone Tozan Bus can get on and off, it will be 100 yen discount, so let's enjoy the trip at a great price (use of discount tickets is not allowed).

Cafes and restaurants are full

Located inside the outdoor exhibition center, "The Hakone Open-Air Musem Cafe" is a cosy cafe with a view of the nature and sculpture of the four seasons. The menu is mainly drinks and snacks, and original goods are also sold in one corner.

There are also sweets such as "soft serve ice cream" made from Ashigara Kintaro milk for 480 yen and "Gerard con pane" for 650 yen with ice cream in brioche. The opening hours are the same as in the museum, and the last order is 16:30.

On the second floor of the cafe, there is a rest space, "Marutozakaza Kitoki", which is arranged with the dethinning logs of Hakone; this is sometimes the site of a planned exhibition.

"Bella Foresta" is a buffet restaurant with more than 30 all-you-can-eat dishes and desserts from Japanese, Western and Chinese cuisine. (Available only for visitors to enter)

The price is 2500 yen for junior high school students and above, 1800 yen for elementary school students, 880 yen for children 3 years and above. The hours are 11-15: 30 on weekdays, 11-16 on Saturdays and Sundays, and holidays.

The "CHOKOKU-NO-MORI DINING" is a casual restaurant with a panoramic view of the mountains of Hakone.

The menu includes beef curry, pizza and hamburgers where you can enjoy two kinds of harmonies of beef stewed in toro and roasted beef. The side menu and set are also substantial. It is open from 10 to 17: 00 (16:30 LO).

The original goods of the work motif are cute!

Located in the same building as the two restaurants, the museum shop sells a variety of items, including original products, about 650 kinds of postcards, design goods from Japan and abroad, and famous products from Hakone.

What I want to get at the mast is original goods with the motif of the work.
The candy, which is designed by Nihonbashi's long-established Japanese confectionery "Eitarou Sohonpo" to commemorate its 200 years in existence, is marked by a package featuring a bronze sculpture.

There are two types of works and museum scenes. It seems that they will be active in the company or school.

The Tenugui, made by Daikanyama "Kamawanu", is a long-selling product that has been sold for more than 20 years. In addition to the stained glass of "Symphony Sculpture of Happiness" and the design of "Forest of the Net" "Walking Flower", there are also patterns related to Hakone. The museum shop is also available without entering, but the opening hours are the same as the museum at 9 to 17 o'clock, so shop early.

There are many other attractions in The Hakone Open-Air Museum. No matter how many times you visit, there are new discoveries, so why not try your feet.

■ The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Address: 1121 Ninotaira, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
TEL:0460-82-1161
Opening hours: 9 to 17 o'clock (admission to ~ 16:30)
Closed: No Closed
Price: 2000 yen for entrance, 1600 yen for college and high school students, 800 yen for elementary and junior high school students

photo by Koji Nishimura, courtesy of The Hakone Open-Air Museum

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