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Amazing artworks in a gorgeous outdoor setting – what’s not to love? Here’s our guide to the Open Air Museum in Hakone.
How did they get that giant person in here? Where are the fried eggs? Do they clean all those glass panels individually? These were just some of the thoughts going through my head as I wandered the 70,000 square metres of the Hakone Open Air Museum, viewing the, over 100, incredible exhibits inside.
Image: @Hakone Open Air Museum – Used with Permission
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Okay, so my wandering mind proves I’m never going to make it as an art critic, but you don’t need to be to enjoy the amazing sculptures dotted around the grounds here.
They have everything from fine-art-style Henry Moores to a melancholy head with what looks like plants growing out of it.
If you want things a little more old-school, there’s an entire building full of Picasso sculptures, paintings and pottery. Generally though, you come here to see the large sculptures that suit the vast open-air space.
It’s not a museum for you if you want traditional Japanese art like woodblock prints, paintings, or small, detailed miniatures (although there are smaller sculptures in the indoor galleries). However, if you like your art bold, big and a bit quirky, you will love it here.
Related Read: If you do like bigger artworks, you will also love Naoshima Island.
The Big Attraction
While many of the exhibits here are Instagram-worthy, one tends to end up on everyone’s feed: the Symphonic Sculpture by French artist Gabriel Loire.
From the outside, this just looks like a tall concrete pipe or a slightly frilly smoke-stack, but once inside you’ll find an iron spiral staircase giving you a close-up view of 400 panels of intricate stained glass designs.
Climb up the tower, and there is a view over Hakone from the top. Sadly, there is no picture of this as I hate both heights and spiral staircases, so I remained firmly on the ground looking up.
If you are also challenged by heights, don’t worry, the artwork looks stunning from below!
What Else Not To Miss?
Art is subjective, so what I loved you might not – but my favourite four exhibits were The Weeper, Cosmic Colour Space, Close III and Man with Heart.
Sadly, three of these are quite modern and so copyright protection applies to them. This means I can’t show you any pictures of them – but I’ll give you a rough description so you can try and seek them out and see what you think of my art taste!
The Weeper
By French husband and wife, François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, this sculpture of a face with plants for hair is made of stone and is an image of unrequited love.
While the ‘hair’ looks like a plant, it’s actually sculpted. I was wondering how they kept it so neat before I discovered this.
Cosmic Colour Space
I love how this series of 12 coloured panels by Shigeo Matsubara looks different depending on the angle from which you view it.
Image: @Hakone Open Air Museum – Used with Permission
Close III
By British artist Antony Gormley, this is actually a cast of his body – but its position of lying flat, facedown on the grass, very much represented how I felt at this point in my trip after almost 30 days of non-stop travelling.
Some friends of mine went to the museum in February and saw this in the snow, and I think it looked even better than when I saw it in summer, so don’t let colder weather put you off visiting.
Man With Heart
This is in the inside space you walk through as you leave the museum. It’s a green sculpture of a man’s body, with a red heart exposed in the middle; it’s by the American artist Jonathan Borofsky – the sound is actually his own heartbeat.
But you’re sure to find your own favourites as you wander around.
I never did find the fried eggs though. Originally, I thought I might have missed them, as they are on a bench, and so, possibly less obvious than I thought they were going to be – but they aren’t on the list of exhibits on the museum website now either, so I think maybe they were off display when I visited. Which, of course, means I need to go back when they are reinstated! Eggscellent!
Practical Information
So, if you have decided to add the Open Air Museum to your Hakone itinerary, here’s what you need to know.
What Are the Opening Hours?
It’s open from 9 am to 5 pm, every day of the year.
This would make it a great option to visit around New Year when many other tourist attractions are closed.
You need two to three hours to cover the whole place in detail.
Image: @Hakone Open Air Museum – Used with Permission
How Much Does it Cost?
Entry at the door is 2000 yen for adults, 1600 yen for university or high school-aged children, or 800 yen for Junior high or elementary school children. Those younger visit for free.
However, if you book your ticket in advance on the museum’s website, you can save 200 yen per person.
How Do You Get There?
You can catch the train. The closest station is Chokokunomori, which is on the Hakone Tozan line. This connects easily with Gora Station and also Hakone Yumoto, the gateway to Hakone.
Is the Museum included in the Hakone Free Pass?
The train to get here is included in the pass, and you can also receive a 100-yen discount by showing your pass at the door.
Related Read: Is the Hakone Free Pass Worth Buying?
Is the Museum on The Loop Route?
Not directly. If you want to fit it into The Loop, either go here first and then start the Loop with the Cable Car from Gora – or, follow our best Hakone tip and do The Loop backwards, starting at Hakone Shrine. This sees you end The Loop at Gora, where you can jump on the train to the Open Air Museum.
Related Read: How to Beat the Queues on the Hakone Loop.
Is It Good for Kids?
Yes. Because it’s outside and there’s lots of space, it’s not a typical museum environment – no one is going to be glaring at them if they aren’t completely silent.
There’s even an entire artwork for kids to play in. The Net Forest is an interactive art installation that kids can explore.
The Maze Star Garden is also a fun place for kids. Viewed from above, it’s a cool star-shaped artwork on the grass, but head inside, and it’s a fully functioning maze.
You can use a stroller around the outside paths, but check the rules on what types of stroller are allowed. They do have approved options for rent if your normal one doesn’t work.
Is It Accessible?
Yes. The outside path that leads you around the exhibits is wheelchair accessible.
For the inside pavilions, the ground floors are easily accessible and the second floors are accessible by lift.
You wouldn’t be able to climb the Symphonic Sculpture, but, as mentioned above, it also looks fantastic from the bottom, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
There are four accessible bathrooms on the property.
Image @Hakone Open Air Museum – Used with Permission
Do They Have Lockers?
If you are coming straight to the museum before you check into your accommodation, you might be carrying your bags, and the good news is there are lockers in the museum and also at the nearby station.
If your bags are too big for the lockers, speak to staff, and they can arrange storage.
But, if you’re arriving at Hakone Yumoto Station, there is a luggage-shipping service to local hotels which would save you carrying it at all. Find out more details on that in our guide to arriving in Hakone.
Should I Visit the Open Air Museum or POLA?
Sadly, POLA was closed when I visited Hakone, so I couldn’t do a personal direct comparison – but, POLA has more paintings and smaller works than the Open Air Museum, so if that’s the type of art you prefer, it would be a better choice for you.
It’s also inside, which might be more appealing if it’s wet. The building itself is also a work of art. If you’re into architecture, you’ll probably get as much joy from the place where the art is housed as from the art itself.
Personally, I think the two museums complement each other, so I’d make time to do both if possible.
Also, consider the Venetian Glass Museum; I went here as a last-minute decision, and it was one of the highlights of Hakone for me. Hakone is actually a fantastic place for art lovers, but this side of it rarely gets mentioned as everyone is just fixated on the Loop!
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.