Attraction Guide: Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone, Japan

Hakone Open-Air Museum Guide

Art in Nature: Hakone Open-Air Museum - A Fusion of Sculpture and Scenery Guide

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is a unique and captivating art museum that seamlessly blends contemporary sculptures with the stunning natural landscape of Hakone. Spread across a sprawling hillside, the museum features a diverse collection of works by renowned artists from around the world, offering visitors a chance to experience art in a truly immersive and inspiring setting. It's a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and anyone seeking a memorable cultural experience. Opened in 1969, the Hakone Open-Air Museum was one of the first of its kind in Japan. Its founding principle was to create a space where art could be enjoyed in harmony with nature, breaking away from the traditional confines of indoor galleries. The museum's collection has grown over the years to include works by prominent sculptors such as Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and Taro Okamoto, making it a significant center for modern and contemporary sculpture. Visitors to the Hakone Open-Air Museum can wander through the expansive grounds, discovering sculptures nestled among trees, overlooking mountains, and reflected in ponds. The museum also features indoor galleries showcasing paintings, drawings, and other works of art. Highlights include the Picasso Pavilion, which houses a collection of Picasso's ceramics, sculptures, and paintings, and the Symphonic Sculpture, a towering stained-glass structure that visitors can climb inside. While the museum doesn't have a specific culinary tradition, the surrounding Hakone area is known for its delicious soba noodles, fresh seafood, and black eggs (kuro-tamago) boiled in the volcanic hot springs.