The Hakone Open-Air Museum

The Hakone Open-Air Museum opened in 1969 as Japan’s first outdoor museum, and is an innovative institution focusing on harmony between nature and art. Approximately 120 masterpieces by leading sculptors of the modern and contemporary periods are on permanent exhibit in a lush garden that stretches 70,000 sq. meters (17.3 acres) overlooking the mountains of Hakone. The most distinctive feature of the museum is the abundance of outdoor exhibits you can walk through and appreciate the art while gazing up at the sky or even experience the insides of an artwork. The museum also features the Picasso Pavillion, where over 319 works from one of the world’s premier collections are displayed on rotation and other indoor galleries, plus a natural hot spring Forest Footbath. Amidst the majestic natural scenery of the four seasons, this museum offers a place to leisurely contemplate your favorite works, or simply stroll at a relaxed pace. Whether young or old, visitors of all ages can find something special here.