The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Outstanding open air museum! A stunning combination of nature and art that makes for a memorable experience. A combination of big names and lesser known artists. Well laid out and engaging. A real joy to be in the middle of the mountains and experience art. Feels like the optimum way to do it!

The day I visited, the weather was perfect—not cold, with plenty of sunshine. The gardens were beautifully arranged and the views were stunning, with many corners ideal for taking photos. Walking around was truly enjoyable. I especially liked how they placed little statues tucked into hidden spots, making it fun to explore. Later, I sat in the coffee shop, enjoyed some desserts, and admired the scenery. It was such a relaxing and refreshing experience.

Okay, real talk? The Hakone Open-Air Museum completely stole our hearts. We almost skipped it for another day of the hakone ropeways, but I’m so so so glad we didn’t. You know how some museums feel stuffy? This is the opposite. It’s like art decided to go play in the most beautiful mountain valley in Gora. I got unexpectedly emotional in the Picasso building, seeing so many of his works in one quiet, light-filled space. It just hit different. his quote also sums up his works. "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child," The best moment, though, was totally unplanned. We rounded a corner and there was this massive, serene sculpture by Carl Milles framed by rolling mist over the hills. We all just stopped and stared. It was one of those travel moments you can’t plan for. The sculpture "Sunglitter" was also a highlight of the day. Featuring a neried riding a dolphin. We ended our visit happy, tired and feet very sore, laughing about the day. It wasn’t just looking at art; it was feeling it in your soul. Perfect for families, couples, or anyone needing a beautiful breath of fresh air. 10/10, I would blissfully get lost there again. A must see if you ever go to Gora or Hakone.(P.S. Gora is way way way closer.)

The Hakone Open-Air Museum was a wonderful experience. My favorite piece was the “Symphonic Sculpture”, a stunning tower made of sculptured glass, iron, and epoxy resin. Its walls are created from 480 sheets of stained glass, filling the interior with colorful light—truly a “symphony performed by light.” Climbing the spiral staircase inside was fun, and the rooftop offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Hakone mountains. Just next to the sculpture is a natural hot spring foot bath where you can relax your feet, which was an unexpected bonus. I also enjoyed exploring the interactive maze with its multiple paths. Overall, the museum perfectly blends art, nature, and relaxation, making it a must-visit in Hakone.

A wonderful open air museum. A great experience walking around through the gardens and enjoying the nature , the art works and the weather. Because the museum is in open air you need to choose for a day with good weather ( not a rainy day ). We especially enjoyed the Picasso Pavilion ! A very clean place and we suggest to spend approx 3 hours for the visit. By the way if you guys are a little bit tired there is a nice cozy coffee shop , with great Italian Coffee , ice cream , soft drinks and sandwiches. A huge parking space on the spot which cost 500 yen - we came by car. A highly recommended place if you are in Hakone. Enjoy !

A very fun experience for both adults and kids! We were blown away with the space this museum has - and they have a lot of interesting exhibits which allow the kids to play (wood playground, maze) ; and also for adults to engage and learn (sculptures and the Picasso museum) There’s even a foot bath to soak our tired feet in hot spring water after walking around! A very relaxing place and must go for all visitors to Hakone!

We arrived at the Hakone Open-Air Museum with just 30 minutes to spare before closing—and while the staff at the ticket counter kindly warned us that it wasn’t ideal, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see Japan’s first open-air museum. So, with running shoes on and camera gear in hand, we dashed in at 4:30 PM and made the most of every minute. Despite the time crunch, we managed to see a surprising amount. The kids loved the interactive sculptures, and we snapped some fantastic photos with our tripod as we raced through the grounds. It was a whirlwind, but totally worth it. If you’re short on time, don’t skip it—just be ready to move fast! The museum itself is a stunning fusion of nature and art, with over 120 sculptures spread across beautifully landscaped gardens and lawns. Established in 1969, it features works by legends like Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and even Pablo Picasso, whose pieces are housed in a dedicated two-story pavilion. There’s also a colorful stained-glass tower called the Symphonic Sculpture that you can climb for panoramic views of the park and surrounding mountains. One tip: find the entrance ahead of time. We spent nearly 10 minutes wandering around trying to locate it, which ate into our already limited time. The museum is just a short walk from Chokoku-no-Mori Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, but signage can be subtle, especially if you’re in a rush. If you can, give yourself at least a couple of hours to explore. There’s a foot bath, kids’ play areas, cafes, and rotating indoor exhibitions that deserve more than a quick glance. But even in a sprint, the Hakone Open-Air Museum left a lasting impression—and I’m so glad we didn’t miss it.

Very cute and refreshing. Some of the art installations were more suited for children to play in, very nice for kids. They also have puzzle book you can do by using the information you gather from the art pieces. It is all in Japanese tho. Also the foot bath was pretty dope :>

Hakone Open Air Museum was the highlight of my Hakone trip. It's a beautiful open space with sculptures interspersed throughout luscious green gardens. My favorite experience was walking up the stained glass spiral staircase tower. It was a nice surprise to find a free foot bath to enjoy the serenity of nature while soaking our tired feet. They have a vending machine with small towels for 200 yen each to dry your feet. I highly recommend the open air museum experience.

It was very quick, easy, and convenient to get the tickets. If you order it online you get I think 200 yen off haha but hey, why not. This museum isn't free with the Hakone Free Pass, just keep that in mind. So in the end, I paid 1800 yen, around $13USD. I mean, it's so affordable! I don't really understand art and don't know how to appreciate it fully but I loved the variety and different styles. I liked how there was indoor and outdoor art structures and some were interactive, too. Picasso's was very interesting because it talked about his childhood-adulthood and the meaning of different arts. Sadly, you can't take pictures there. We were there for over 2hrs and went everywhere, I think. Anyways, it was a good experience!

Love this museum. A lot of cool art display. Definitely recommend driving here as public transportation can take some time.

Amazing outdoor sculpture museum. I was so surprised at the size and variation of the art. I consider this a must see while in Japan. It was windy when we visited but that didn't dampen our visit. The indoor Picasso exhibition was a nice break from the wind. Lots of fun areas to explore, all so different. And I enjoyed the buffet on site.

What a magical and unique open air museum located on a beautiful hillside with breathless mountain scenery. Admission is 1600 JPY for an adult and 1400 JPY with the Hakone Free Pass. They recommend spending 60-90 minutes in and around the grounds. Most of the museum is indeed outdoors, but there are some indoors sections such as the Picasso Pavilion which houses some of the famed artist's clay pottery pieces (wild). While there is a special tribute to Picasso, the curated art installations and jubilant sculptures scattered throughout the motley grounds of forested paths and landscaped gardens are quite varied. Truly, the most unique installation -- and famous for a reason -- was the Symphonic Sculpture, an 18 meter cylindrical tower intricately inlaid with colorful struck slabs of glass, a spiral staircase contained within to permit visitors to climb up and back down. Inside was a total trip! The colored stained glass bends light to create quite the fantastical experience on ones dizzying ascent through sculptured glass. Another interesting installation was the "Sky Hole" (lol) which began with a set of stairs leading you underground and through a brown iron box, to be engulfed in darkness as you feel your way through to a transparent box containing the "sky hole" in all its glory and a ladder to climb out from. A worthy visit in a truly imaginative place like no other. I unfortunately was off schedule in my Classic Circuit of Hakone therefore I arrived at 4pm, 1 hour before closing. I was definitely rushed and did need to limit myself to the more noteworthy art installations. I was truly blown away by what I experienced, regardless.

Magical place that pictures cannot do justice. Worth coming to if you're anywhere remotely nearby - this place is a short trip from Tokyo and well worth it! We spent over four hours here and could have spent even longer. Multiple cafes, ice cream vendors and vending machines plus water fountains too!

Didn't know what to expect at this outdoor museum but after visiting I will say it was well worth the price of admission. There are some great works including a Picasso Museum. Interesting how they focus on a lot of Western European bronze works but the best work are done by the Japanese artists. If you're looking for a relaxing day but want to enjoy some modern art I'd definitely go here!

It was worth a visit. It's a huge area. We spent a little over an hour here. Lots of sculptures. Our favorite was the stained glass tower. It's tall, beautiful and very instagram worthy. This open air museum is great for the whole family. There is even an interesting playground structure for kids only. There's also building with Picasso's work in it but they don't allow any photographs or video.

This museum is mind-blowing in it's awesomeness. The Hakone Open-Air Museum is a sprawling outdoor space with over 100 works and four pavilions housing art. The landscaping harmonizes so well with the sculptures, you will be transported to an almost dream-like setting. The grounds are so meticulously maintained that it feels surreal to be surrounded by so much beauty and art. Our hotel offered free shuttle service, so getting here was easy. Admission was ¥1,600 per adult. We came on a very cloudy and foggy day, but the beauty of the museum site is undeniable, I'd imagine you would be hard pressed to not see the beauty and awesomeness the Open Air Museum possesses in any weather. Most of the pieces are large scale sculptures set amongst rolling hills. There is also a large indoor Picasso Pavillion towards the back of the property housing many ceramics and drawings by the prolific artist. Also, some of the pieces are interactive, so things like a sunken maze and the Symphonic Sculpture are things you can actually walk through and experience. I would recommend at least 2 and a half to three hours if you like to take your time (as I do) and learn about each piece. I was truly blown away by how beautiful and carefully curated everything was. I haven't seen an outdoor museum this impressive stateside. I highly recommend this place for any art lovers!

This is a massive outdoor sculpture museum with a devoted building filled with ceramics and sketches by Picasso. The paved grounds are easily walkable with many intriguing sculptures. There is a massive colored glass tower one can climb the staircase and enjoy the surrounding valley views. There is a foot bath using their thermal well on the property. There is a cafe and gift shop. Need a good hour to explore. There even is a huge wooden sculpture expressly created for children to explore.

We were here with a group tour and I wasn't sure this was going to be much of a stop. I was wrong. What a beautiful place. It was a beautiful day so we were blessed with sunny skies. The grounds are on lush green grass with beautiful trees and sculptures dotted along the curved pathways. Great place to bring kids as there is a kid only play area. We enjoyed the foot bath (bring a towel or buy one for 100 yen). There are several places to eat. The Picasso exhibit is indoors and is very well done. Here you will find paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics. There are a few places to sit along the pathways but not many so be prepared to walk. The terrain is a bit hilly but not too bad.

The Hakone Open Air Museum is one of my favorite art museums in the world. I've been here twice now, once in 2016 and more recently in May of 2023 and both visits were unique and worthwhile. On my most recent visit we stopped by in the early afternoon on a Thursday, it had been raining all day and we only had one umbrella, so we were a bit worried about seeing the exhibits in the rain. Once we arrived, we bought our ticket at the window, locked up some of our belongings in the adjacent lockers (refundable ¥100) and made our way to the museum entrance. We were happily surprised that they had free umbrellas that you could borrow to explore the museum. There are a variety exhibits, mostly large outdoor sculptures and ceramics. There are many pathways and mazes you can take throughout the grounds. Some exhibits are interactive and others are just for viewing. The museum itself is very large so it never feels crowded or congested. There is a gift shop and cafe if you need to take a break from all the walking. One of the highlights for me was the large Picasso exhibit they have on the grounds which is definitely worth checking out. Definitely a highlight of Hakone, I would highly recommend checking out the Open Air Museum if you have the chance.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is a great place to spend a few hours. We really enjoyed the sculpture garden, the hot spring foot bath, and the views of Hakone from the top of the stained glass tower are exceptional. The museum has numerous interactive areas for kids as well!

Beautiful outdoor space with a nice collection of art. Good place to get some fresh air and exercise with a side of culture. Their cafe with a buffet is excellent and inexpensive.

Beautiful large outdoor sculptures. Milk ice cream at the cafe was delicious. All the exhibits are fun and the in person experience is immersive. There is a Lawson and 7-11 close by and restaurants nearby. I would recommend going earlier in the day to get better bus times. Many restaurants in the area were closing or taking last customers around 2-3pm.

THE SCULPTOR & THE APPRENTICE High up in the mountains of Hakone, this art exhibition/outdoor garden dazzles the senses. Our third day in Japan saw us soaking in the breathtaking views of the idyllic countryside, a welcome change-of-pace from the bustling urban scenes of Tokyo. We'd booked a single night's stay at an Airbnb and stopped at a hot springs on the afternoon of 7/20/19 before coming here. The Hakone-Tozan railway will drop you off fairly close to the entrance of this tourist attraction, though it may require a short bus ride or uphill walk to complete the journey. Sitting on 10 acres of immaculate green space, Hakone Open Air debuted in 1969 and operates daily between the hours of 9am-5pm. Guests have the option of storing their valuables in lockers located near the entrance. You'll be doing a LOT of walking here -- probably 3-4 miles -- so stashing your belongings is highly advised. There's a cool fountain out front, but most of the good stuff is on the other side of the turnstiles. After descending an escalator, you'll come upon a wide open vista dotted by small exhibit buildings. Most of the photo-worthy sculptures are spread throughout the property, so you'll need a keen eye and sense of adventure to see everything (and even then, it's likely you'll miss a few here and there). Without going into excruciating detail about every display, it's important to know that Pablo Picasso's influence looms large at Hakone Open Air. The late Spanish surrealist has a dedicated gallery housing nearly 300 of his works of art, in addition to several other larger pieces outside. Of note is the Symphonic Sculpture, a 50ft tower with a central spiral staircase and viewing platform at the top. It's covered in stained glass and the photo ops can be outstanding in clear weather (fog had rolled in when we visited, which lent an eerie Silent Hill-esque vibe to the day). There's a few cafes on the premises, plus a gift shop, full service restaurant and foot bath. Admission for adults is 1500¥ ($13 USD) and students are only 700¥ ($6 USD). This is a very reasonable price, considering you could easily spend hours wandering the grounds and scouring the area for hidden sculptures. * TL;DR * Hakone Open Air is bizarre yet oddly whimsical. It appeals to both art aficionados and casual tourists alike; even if the phrase "Neo-classical impressionism" confuses you more than it excites you, there's still a ton of worthwhile things to see along the outdoor garden paths. Exhibits rotate periodically, so it's possible the displays I saw in July 2019 are in storage somewhere, waiting to be dusted off and placed back into circulation. The lush green landscape surrounding the museum grounds is nothing short of stunning......I can only imagine what this place looks like in autumn when the leaves change color. Even if this region of Japan wouldn't otherwise be on your radar, I'd urge you to set aside a full day to enjoy Hakone and relax in a nearby onsen (geothermal hot spring), as the time we spent here was some of the most peaceful all trip. I'm not an "art guy" by any means, but this was an amazing experience. 10/10 would recommend.

Highlight of my trip to Hakone. Very reminiscent of Storm King in Upstate New York. Located pretty much at the top of Hakone is this wide open area home to this Open-Air museum. They have a ton of large structure/installations to check out. Each of them unique and great photo ops. There's also a building that houses an impressive Picasso collection worth checking out. It's on campus and not extra (unlike a lot of things in Japan). I highly recommend checking the museum out, you won't be disappointed!

This was by far, one of my favorite things I did during my two weeks in Japan. This museum is really cool and unlike anything else I had seen. They have an impressive Picasso collection featuring many examples of his pottery work but also a showcase of his drawing talents throughout various phases of his career - sketches, in-depth romanesque stuff, and later sketches of his third wife. The outdoor area is huge and expansive and well-kept. I especially enjoyed feeding the coy fish (of course), and walking around in the interactive displays. The symphonic tower is cool and I liked the footpath by the cafe. The cafe in the middle of the museum is a nice touch - it was a really hot and sunny day when I visited and it's a nice, new, contemporary space that sells a few gift shop items and offers indoor, air conditioned seating and light drinks and snacks. It could easily take a few hours to enjoy this museum and they have a large gift shop and more interactive art projects inside where they are on screens and you can become art (think green screen type stuff). It's very fun for kids to get involved but I saw adults enjoying it also. Entry is reasonable at around $15 a person and it is well worth it if you are anywhere in the Hakone area.

Last month, I visited this museum near Gora station. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from the station. They have coin lockers next to the ticketing office to put your belongings if you don't want to carry them around the museum. After buying the ticket, you take the escalator down a level to the open air museum. Thankfully, the weather was nice and it was a nice stroll through the museum grounds. You can spend over 2 hours there if you are an art lover. Smacked in the middle is a two level indoor Picasso collection featuring some of his drawings and sketches. A gift shop and a cafe is also on the grounds where you can buy souvenirs or get a light snack. There is even a hot spring foot bath next to the cafe for a rest. Art and nature in a tranquility setting!

My visit to Hakone Open Air Museum was one of the most enjoyable museum experiences I have ever had. The exhibits are diverse and dramatic, many are interactive. The grounds are impeccable. The property is vast and open, at no point in our visit did it feel congested. The art collection is impressive, and is installed in a fun and whimsical way. Guests can indulge in a warm foot bath part way through the experience. The museum is known for the Picasso exhibit, which is noteworthy, but Picasso Hall is just one of the many delights at the museum. There is something for everyone here, art-afionados and children alike.

Easily one of the best experiences I've ever had at a museum. Probably because it's basically a nature walk meets sculpture museum with a bunch of interactive, kid-friendly activities. I was equally impressed with the landscaping as I was with the art pieces, and there were some rather impressive structures and even an entire building dedicated to works of Picasso (one of my favs). The place is just beautiful all around--that's Hakone for you. The museum has got to be a couple acres (at least) of grounds to explore, with sculptures and structures throughout to either experience or admire from a distance. One minute you're walking up a stained glass tower to get unbeatable views of the museum & Hakone, and the next you're feeding fish in a koi pond that also doubles as a stage for a statue of sorts. Really a great way to spend a couple hours in Hakone. You know, when you wanna take a break after soaking in the onsen and before you go back to soaking more.

So beautiful, even on a rainy day!!! When my girlfriend suggested we stay a night in Hakone, I thought it wouldn't be worth the cost. I was down and all to experience this town among the trees, but is it really all that special? Totally wrong, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum is another reason why. We stopped by the museum along the Hakone Loop - the tourist experience that takes you around the prefecture. We got here by bus, and it was around $10 to enter if I remember correctly. They also have minor discounts if you get the Hakone pass. The Hakone Open-Air Museum, as you can guess by the name, is filled with art exhibits that are all located outside. It features works from famous artists such as Picasso. All the installations are large in size and massive in beauty. You can easily spend a few hours here. Even though it was raining when we arrived (and pouring when we left), the whole area was magical. Especially since you're outside, you are surrounded by the mountainside and so you're like in a valley shrouded in mist. I loved the vibes and the art! Have to give the museum an "Omg, I'd travel 2 hours for this" rating. Have fun and prosper!

The Hakone open-air museum is a must if you're staying in the area. It was just a few minute drive from our ryokan but seems to be easily accessible by bus as well. I wasn't sure what to expect but we had wonderful time exploring and were lucky enough to have good weather. Aside from the sculptures, there are a few indoor exhibits (including the Picasso pavilion) and a handful of interactive art pieces. You can easily spend a day there but I'd say spend at least three hours if you can. The café is cute and they offer snacks and ice cream. PS - The Picasso pavilion is closed until August 2019 but the art pieces are still on display in another building.

This is a pretty awesome outdoor sculpture museum to explore when you're in the Gora area. It was only a 10 minute walk from my ryokan so I had to explore it. If any of you are from NY, you'll see that it is in some ways similar to Storm King Art center but more compact and much better in terms of art work in my opinion. This "museum" or park was pretty spacious but not too spacious where you need to spend an entire day to just walk to all the art pieces. I was able to allow myself 2 hours here with lots of picture taking and thought it was enough time. I loved the symposium tower near the hot spring foot bath. It's one of the those IG spots to capture, but it's seriously so beautiful when you go in. It reminds of me a little of Gaudi's work with the colorful stained glass pattern. I really enjoyed the hot spring foot bath as well especially since it was pretty cold on the day I went and I was exhausted from all the walking i did for the past few days. They provide little foot towels for $1 near the hot spring if you forget to bring your own towel. It is about 1600 yen i believe for adults, but you get a slight disount if you have the Hakone free pass. They also have free lockers for you store your belongings in - pop in 100 yen and pop it back out when you open the locker. Must visit when you have time in Hakone :) if you're in a rush, you can do this in 1-2 hours! just hustle a bit :)

It takes awhile to get here from Tokyo if you're not using a bullet train. But I think this museum is worth it. Nestled in the quiet mountains embraced by cool air.. It's a lovely place to visit. There are some interesting sculptures, worthy of your thought and your Instagram account. There are works from Picasso, including some clay and porcelain works, which I didn't know he dabbled with. There's even a foot bath to rest your feet from all the walking. The cafe has some good eats. Expensive, but expected. I ordered maple milk, and it was really good. I'm usually sensitive to milk, especially whole milk, but I was fine after drinking it. If you're into art, or just getting away from the bustling city, Hakone Open-Air Museum would be a nice place to go to.

Very highly recommend. Incredibly beautiful open air museum unlike any other I've been to. I could have spent all day wondering around enjoying the scenery. Itinerary Travel to the hotel/resort on the lake/ropeway area Stay overnight / use the facilities Next morning take the ropeway, cable car, etc. to the museum Take the ropeway back to the hotel Hop off and explore the volcano area Hop back on and back to the hotel Take the last shuttle out of the area

I absolutely adore this museum. It was one of my favorite things we visited when we were in Hakone. I love the different art from Japanese and international artist. It was very different from any museum I have been two. The structures were very unconventional and interesting. The glass windows inside Symphonic Sculpture were so beautiful a must see. It's a bonus to dip your feet in outdoor foot bath on a cold day.

I really didn't know what to expect with this museum. It's such a random non-sequitur, but that's par for the course in Japan. It's an open-air sculpture garden with a wide variety of styles of sculptures ranging from classic Italian to modern to abstract and everything in-between. There are also some kid-friendly structures including a really cool climbing structure and an indoor space with cushions and angles. Art meets function. We visited in the dead of winter, and spent most of our visit freezing our asses off. We showed up on a lark and ended up spending a couple of hours here. There's a lot to see on the fairly extensive grounds, and the family we were traveling with were able to run some energy out of their kids. I'd plan no less than at least an hour for this visit, and even with that you likely won't see everything. If you have any appreciation for sculpture or large interactive art installations, there's plenty to enjoy. And there's even an indoor museum with a bunch of Picasso's works. Mostly ceramics and some sketches. Still worth a walk-through. Parking is 500 yen for 5 hours, and entry for adults is $16. Aside from the art, there's a hot spring foot soak, a cafe, some sort of gift shop, and lot of room to roam. Honestly I wasn't expecting to be stoked on this place but I'm really glad we followed the guide and stopped by. Especially since the kids had a blast.

Loved this museum! Located just a short 1-block walk away from Chokukonumori station. It's a bit pricey as far as museums go (1600yen for adults) but if you have the Hakone train and travel free pass you can save 200yen. Regardless of the price this place is worth it! It's 80% outdoors with several cool walking paths, places for children to burn energy, even a maze for the adults to enjoy, not to mention the hot spring water foot bath. Just when you think you've seen it all you'll come across something else you want to see and or do. I will definitely come back here next time I am in Hakone!

The Hakone open-air museum was by far one of my favorite things to do in Japan. It was out of this world unique.

Spent an afternoon with my family there. Fantastic grounds and I was pleasantly surprised at the Picasso museum. First class park with lots of nice paths and seats to slowly take in the scenery and take contemplation. Really enjoyed it! The kids had a wonderful time at the Curved Space which is a giant pyramid made of transparent poly material. State of the art which was originally built in 1970s. amazing.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is a wonderful distraction on the Hakone ropeway excursion day trip. I would review that separately if I could find it - but basically you buy a 'freedom pass' in Tokyo and get the train from Shinjuku to Hakone. Your pass then allows you on to a wonderful series of funiculars, narrow-gauge railways and cable cars that traverse the mountain, giving wonderful views of the area and Mt. Fuji in the distance. There's even a voyage on a pirate ship across the lake to top it off - if you leave enough time that is. The open-air museum was my downfall on that leg as I spent so much time looking around all the wonderful sculptures that I missed the last boat and had to get a bus back into Hakone. Finish the day with a dip in an 'onsen' (hot spring) before getting the train back into Shinjuku. If I could recommend only one day trip to do in Japan, this would be it. But back to the museum review....it's a bit misleading to call this place a museum, as it is really an outdoor sculpture park containing some fantastic artworks, many from world-renowned artists, including one of the largest collections of Henry Moore's work anywhere. There's even an indoor exhibition containing around 300 mixed works by Picasso including lots of ceramic work - before this I hadn't even been aware that he'd done any pottery. My favourite pieces were the large ivy-covered marble head in a tiled pool, the huge 'Miss Black Power' statue and the large mirrored sphere that reflected the world around you, but there's so much to explore here. When your feet get tired, they have a hot spring bath that you can soak them in and rejuvenate yourself before the next leg of the journey. Don't wait too long though, or you'll miss the pirate ship!

Just go. While it's not the best museum I've ever been to, I think it does rank as one of the, if not THE best open air museum I have been to. Huge grounds and lots to look at, both inside and out. Probably spent 2.5-3 hours here. It's tucked up in the mountains so pretty spectacular backdrop if the clouds lift and it's clear. Picasso building had a new period of his that I'd never seen. Not sure how you get here by train/bus. Cab from Hakone Yumoto was ~$22. NBD.

My husband and I were fortunate to visit this lovely museum / park on a gorgeous May afternoon. We'd just arrived from Tokyo for a one-night stay at the Ten-Yu resort, and sent our luggage along to the resort from the Gora train station while we did some sightseeing. The Open Air Museum was our first stop. And the first thing we did was to grab lunch at the Chokoku-No-Mori restaurant overlooking the grounds. We both went with the seafood salad and were very happy with our selection. It was full of mussels, shrimp, octopus, scallops, and crab meat. The dining area was a bit worn and dated but the food, the service, and the view were all wonderful. Then we took a leisurely walk around the sculpture garden and saw some nice work by Henry Moore, Miro, Jean Arp, Antony Gormley, and a lot of other talented artists. We briefly stopped for coffee at the café at the half-way mark in the winding trail, then worked our way back to the entrance / exit. We didn't get into the Picasso pavilion because it was closed for repairs. They moved most of the work to a building closer to the entrance / exit. It pains me to admit that we skipped that building because our time was tight. Oh well, perhaps next time! Recommended!

Beautiful scenery and sculptures in the mountains of Hakone. Be prepared to walk and stand a lot. But the views are breathtaking and the art ranges from interesting to mesmerizing. Highly recommend this museum.

I can't recommend this enough!! We saved this for last and got their about an hour before sunset. It was stunning to watch the sky change colors as a backdrop to their amazing collection of art. The museum's belief is to provide a space where art and nature can interplay. And does it deliver! Besides a massive, indoor Picasso collection - they have a huge outdoor sculpture garden set against the hills. We thought it would take closer to an hour but actually spent closer to 2.5 hours there. We walked slowly, took in all the art and walked by our favorite pieces again. It's roughly 1600 yen/person.

What a breath of a fresh air... this was a stark contrast from the compact spaces and busy crossings of Tokyo intersections. Lots of interesting and neat outdoor sculptures to spend the better half of a day. The highlight was the tower with all the stained glass. Unassuming from the outside but it's a complete different perspective from within. Also be sure to stop by the Green Gallery and cafe for a cup of hot matcha tea. Definitely worth the visit!

This was a really cool museum in Hakone, and totally worth 4 hours if you have some free time. Be prepared for a lot of walking, but everything is paved and they have a lot of interactive exhibits which are nice for a little break. One of my favorite parts: after a long day of walking about, we found a natural hot spring foot spa. It was free to use and maybe 100 yen for a little towel. It was so relaxing after seeing art! And the attendant was really nice and took photos of us. They also have a Picasso museum, which is available for no additional charge. Its a large gallery with a ton of different mediums and blew me away that they had this great exhibit in a smaller town like Hakone. I would skip the cafe, the food was really not good. Grab some Combini before you go. And make sure to bring your student ID card if you've got one because discounted tickets rock!

This museum is a hidden gem, with amazingly large scale sculptures and artworks. It calms my soul as I strolled through the museum. I am not a artsy person but I find many artworks and displayed in this museum very interesting. The gift shops have very cute gifts and souvenirs. The Picasso gallery is also very interesting. Overall, this place is worth the visit if you are in Hakone.

Epic win on a nice day. Be prepared to walk around for a few hours. Location is stunning as is much of the artwork.

So I am a big art lover and literally hate post-modern art. I have been to thousands of museums over a hundred countries. Honestly this place is seriously unique and amazing. If you like sculpture, gardens ms thing to photograph, this is the place. I not a huge fan of Hakone, the transportation is abysmal, the restaurants at below average, and yet there is a world class if not the best post modern are museum on the planet sitting in a an obscure town in Japan. Also note, there are a tone of kids things to do here.

A fantastic museum for Adults and Kids! I think it costs 1200 yen for the entrance fee for adults but if you have the "Hakone Free Pass" you can have a discounted rate. The best time to come is when the museum opens at around 9 am as there aren't too many people yet and leave at lunch time once the crowds start coming in. The museum is just the right size. You won't feel overwhelmed or underwhelmed. The museum is outdoors and very interactive! This is the perfect place for children to be introduced and to learn to appreciate art forms such as sculptures and architecture. Make sure to bring a warm jacket and scarf if you come on a cold day. We really enjoyed the "net forest" - this is basically a playground made from really strong net. Children go inside the net and climb up and down or swing on the hanging spheres. Parents must always be watching as there are no museum staff to watch for injuries or such. The Picasso Museum is an small indoor building of some of Picasso's paintings, sculptures and pottery. It's a nice place to go to for some quiet time. This museum is definitely a must when visiting Hakone.

Highly recommended. If you are visiting Hakone and have the Hakone Free Pass or are staying around Gora it is well worth the trek. The place is well thought out, kid friendly and not too big, as well as having some great works by artists such as Henry Moore, Joan Miro, Picasso, all in a beautiful natural landscape. I really enjoyed the hot spring foot bath too. Pay 100yen for a little towel with the museum logo by the foot bath...it will make a neat little souvenir.

An excellent way to spend our stay in the Hakone area. Some of these sculptures were absolutely striking in the extreme. The Picasso exhibit was sobering because I hadn't seen much of his sculpture work and there is a lot of history outlined in placards there.

A hidden gem in Hakone. They carry some really neat art and you can easily fill a 1/2 day here and not be bored a minute. Also HIGHLY recommend for kids, they have some dedicated "artsy" play structures..

What an impressive experience! Definitely worth the trip! They have a great Picasso collection!

What a fantastic place, such a lot of interesting art pieces and much bigger than i expected when i walked in. This is a huge museum with many different and interesting things on display. From statues in a more traditional style made from iron to things like a foot hot spring and a moth style moving sculpture. So walking around we see so many interesting things which arent just sculpture or art but things that you can explore or enter such as the garden of stars or the wood of net which have an idea of scale and exploration. We go through this into the first sort of change of pace which is the picasso exhibit. A large display of things from picasso such as paintings, sculpture and lesser known things with pictures of the great man himself which was a nice and more personal loook into his life and works which really resonated with me. After this we see some more interesting/strange pieces such as the globe of the world, interesting asymetrical pipework moving in a pattern to what i christned "big senga" which i believe its name was "Strong Black Woman". After we get into the second rest area complete with a cafe and some more art on the walls upstairs we partook in a wintery foot spa from a natural spring which was a toasty 65 degrees celcuius. In a wintery scene we did this and it was brilliant. Next came the reason we came which was the symphonic tower. A large tower complete with stain glas all the way to the top depicting such things from an ordinairy car to birds and other interesting motifs. It echoes from the inside and, on a clear day, you could see fuji-san and other interesting landmarks. From here we go to what i thought was the exit but no it was even more interesting things in the bamboo sound garden. This place is run on timers from what i can see and makes various musical noises as you go through the area which takes you up the stairs and into a shadown pupet style thing which depicts a wonderful moving artwork on a screen which you get to see the working of as you explore the grounds. Absoloutely enticing place, so interesting with so many different and intriguing items from start to finish, a must see in my opinion!

Even better than we expected. We thought we'd spend 45 minutes or so at the museum and ended up enjoying it for over 3 hours! It's a fun and beautiful place. Definitely one of the highlights in Hakone.