Is Hakone Open Air Museum Worth Visiting

Published February 16, 2025

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A must-see attraction in Hakone is the Hakone Open Air Museum.

This museum exists as a top-notch outdoor art gallery that encompasses 70000 square of stunning gardens and lawns encircled by wooded hills.

Its collection features part of the most important modern artworks and sculptures in the world.

So, is the Hakone Open Air Museum worth visiting? Keep reading to find out!

What's the Hakone Open Air Museum?

This museum stands as an outdoor art and sculpture gallery and park that interacts with the environment.

Located in the Hakone mountains, it covers 70000 square and offers stunning vistas of the nearby peaks.

Established with the purpose of forging a link between art and nature in 1969, this art museum became Japan's foremost outdoor gallery.

A trip to the museum is breathtaking due to the abundance of exhibits.

It is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed walk amidst nature while admiring impressive art.

It goes without saying that it's also a favored location for stunning photos.

Best Time to Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum

The museum operates daily throughout the entire year.

Their hours of operation are from 9 am to 5 pm and the final entry is at half past 4 in the evening.

The ticket for entry is priced at 1600 yen, but if you possess a Hakone Ticket Free Pass, the admission fee is 1400 yen.

Note that if you plan to visit the museum from December 1st to January 8th, there is a remarkable event that occurs nightly after 5:00 pm.

The museum's primary sculptures are illuminated at that moment, providing them with an entirely altered appearance.

And, the most exciting aspect is that every guest receives LED lanterns – an art installation created by Kyota Takahashi, the Japanese artist, which radiates various colors of light based on the artwork being viewed.

Getting to the Museum

When going to the museum, via Tokyo Station, you have the option to take the Central Shinkansen heading west or the East Tokaido train to Odawara.

In case you possess the JR Pass, your journey will be included in the pass.

Then, if you choose to use JR's East Tokaido train, you will have the option to book your seats easily online.

Next, from their Odawara Station, board the Hakone Tozan Train and get off at Stop OH56 (Chokokunomori Station).

One more way to reach Hakone is by using the Odakyu LTD. From the Shinjuku Station located in Tokyo, take the "Romancecar".

You will reach Hakone-Yumoto Train Station under 1 hour, 15 minutes.

You can board the Hakone Tozan train from around Hakone-Yumoto to stop at OH56 Chokokunomori Station.

Note that the "Romance car" is excluded from the JR Pass, as well as the ticket price for the Odakyu train.

The "Romancecar" service is contingent on whether one possesses the Free Pass.

If you possess the Free Pass, an extra fee of 1090 yen is needed for 1-way trips between Hakone-Yumoto and Shinjuku.

If you lack the pass, the fee is 1190 yen, along with a 1090 yen surcharge for a single trip.

Is Hakone Open Air Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, the Hakone Open-Air Museum located in Hakone is definitely worth a visit.

It attracts art aficionados and nature lovers alike with its varied array of installations and sculptures.

It remains a charming outdoor museum having numerous intriguing sculptures, and its landscape is elegantly arranged across the hills.

What to Expect at the Museum

Hercules

Hercules created by Emile Bourdelle is a truly essential artwork to experience at Hakone Open Air Museum.

The naked form of Hercules expresses immense vigor as all his body muscles are tensed to the fullest.

From his foot pressed against the stone to his arm drawing the unseen bowstring, we sense the contained energy.

Emile Bourdelle served as an aide in Rodin's workshop and although their techniques are alike, the distinctions are quite evident.

Rodin adhered to a rigorous analytical modeling approach, whereas Bourdelle's creations provide a contemporary interpretation of Roman and Greek statues.

Intersecting Space Construction

This Ryoji Goto's work contains 144 figures in total (72 male figures that are black in color and 72 female figures that are red).

Their bodies stay extended in a jumping motion and are linked by feet and hands.

Also, they are arranged perfectly together, creating a single synchronized entity.

This group radiates an energy, along with a sense of strength fostered by their togetherness.

Knitted Wonder Space II

Upon entering Woods of Net's open gateway, this vividly colored artwork comes into view.

Horiuchi MacAdam crafted the complete net manually.

The artwork itself required over one year dedicated to crocheting the fabric into nets, more than 650kg of pleated nylon, and three months for dyeing.

It's created for kids to swing on, jump about, and crawl inside.

I have come across the idea that Horiuchi MacAdam drew inspiration from Antoni Gaudi's creation and this net is intended to represent a womb cradle.

Milles's Sculptures

At the Hakone Museum, Milles's two sculptures are truly magnificent - Man and Pegasus and The Hand of God.

Milles was an artist from Sweden who produced bold artworks during his career and his sculptures blended effortlessly into their surroundings.

The sculpture of Hand of God features a human hand that is large and extended with a small nude human figure precariously balancing between the index finger and thumb.

What will truly draw your focus to the sculpture is the way the human studies the sky so intently.

Then, Man & Pegasus illustrates a moment from Greek mythology where the hero Bellerophon rides Pegasus while on his quest to conquer the creature Chimera.

In the sculpture, Pegasus and Bellerophon are both placed on a high pedestal.

Moreover, their bodies remain extended as though they could soar even higher together.

Still, if you are to take a closer look at the sculpture, you will observe that Bellerophon isn't making contact with Pegasus.

Additionally, his body inclines slightly forward, suggesting that his dangerous fall is imminent.

Curved Space Structure

This work by Peter Pearce stands as another enormous edifice in the museum.

From afar, it appears to be a collection of gigantic soap bubbles stacked on one another.

However, the structure's makeup is modeled after a molecule of diamond magnified x 8 billion.

It is an area where children can enter, ascend, and investigate.

Miss Black Power

This sculpture by Niki Saint Phalle can be seen through the tall trees from various park parts.

It is large and vividly hued, and it's a work from the Nanas series created in 1965 by Niki Saint Phalle.

It radiates power and assurance and in the same way, the power lies in the body posture – upright and straight.

Even, self-assurance is shown through vibrant attire and a stylish purse.

Woods of Net

This was designed by a group of architectural creatives, Tezuka Architects.

The construction is composed of wood with no metal components.

The method employed for joining the wood joints was influenced by the ancient Japanese wood temple architecture found in Kyoto and Nara.

Moore's Sculptures

The Hakone Museum features a significant assortment of Henry Moore's sculptures.

Moore's creations are made up of three themes: internal/external structure, mother & child, and reclining figures.

Then, another element that emerged later in Moore's life is the theme of family group - it mirrors his journey into fatherhood.

Henry Moore's Family Group is an intriguing sculpture. It stirs the profound feelings of human affection, familial bonds, and safeguarding a new existence.

Then, a renowned reclining figures collection sculpture is the Reclining Figure. It exudes strength and, concurrently, fragility.

Personnage

From a considerable distance in the museum, you will observe Joan Miró’s Personnage.

This stunning sculpture features vibrant colors and is highly expressive.

Joan Miro was among the most famous Surrealist sculptors and Spanish creators.

His work, Personnage, examines the concept of art derived from poetry, where various colors and shapes applied to the figure resemble words for Miro, collectively forming poetry.

Symphonic Sculpture

A highly acclaimed artwork at the museum is Gabriel Loire's Symphonic Sculpture.

It's a tower surrounded by vibrant stained glass.

Within the stained-glass tower stands 18m high circular stairs that allow you to climb up to the observation platform.

It goes without saying that the scenery of this place and the nearby mountains is breathtaking.

Loire's stained glass is referred to as “slab glass”.

It's considerably thicker and more robust than the former Middle Ages stained glass.

Employing this method of making stained glass enables richer colors, particularly when they are lit by strong sunlight.

Also, Gabriel Loire’s most significant post-war creation is found in Saint Paul Church, Whiteinch.

It comprises curved windows of 162sq set in concrete and filled with shattered glasses.

Floating Sculpture III

This work by Marta Pan features floating sculptures painted in a vermilion hue that resembles the gates of Torii.

They glide and drift and softly hover nearer and further from one another, and they are responsive to even the faintest wind.

Many koi fish circle them just as if relishing this leisurely dance.

Picasso Exhibition

The most remarkable of the indoor displays at the museum is a set of creations by Pablo Picasso.

It features over 300 pieces by Picasso, including sculptures, oil paintings, gold items, prints, and ceramics,

The exhibition is categorized into distinct themes including sexuality, childhood, death, life, and Picasso’s fervor for bullfighting.

La Pleureuse

This work by Claude Lalanne and François-Xavier is a remarkable statue in the Hakone Open Air Museum.

It aids in comprehending this artwork more fully to realize that 'la pleureuse' translates to 'the mourner' in English.

It is depicted by one human head large stone statue lying sideways in blue water.

Upon closer inspection, you will see a tear rolling down its cheek.

The vibrant green leaves emerging from the top harmonize perfectly with the environment regardless of the season you choose.

Sphere Within Sphere

This Arnaldo Pomodoro's work is among the more popular designs inside the museum.

Even, other spheres have been created by Pomodoro and they can be found worldwide.

The sphere's surface is highly polished and seen from a great distance shining in the sunlight.

As you approach, you will observe that a tear has formed in the flawless sphere and it seems that a section of the sphere was either torn off or pulled out.

The tear reveals the inside containing another sphere within. It appears to be a universe inside the universe.

This flawless sphere with ripped interiors will evoke an eerie sensation in you.

Things to Note About The Hakone Open Air Museum

• The museum is Japan's inaugural open-air art museum.
• At the museum, you can experience over 100 artworks personal and up close.
• Approximately 120 artworks by modern sculptors from Japan and abroad are distributed throughout the 70000-square museum area.
• The numerous sculptures in this museum encourage you to approach them closely to understand the messages each piece aims to express. 
• The Picasso Pavilion showcases artwork by its artists from 319 pieces collection.
• Among the biggest of the Hakone Open-Air Museum's works is the historic Symphonic Sculpture—guests can enter and ascend the tall, tower-like stained glass structure to reach a platform that offers splendid views of the grounds of the museum. 
• The standout characteristic of the museum is its extensive 120-sculpture collection distributed throughout the area.
• Regardless of the gorgeous spring flowers, the summer sun, the vibrant fall leaves, or the winter calm, the sculptures remain stunning any time you come.
• Since the sculptures are outdoors, they can evoke varied impressions from one season to the next.