Hakone Open-Air Museum

What this place is

The Hakone Open-Air Museum (箱根彫刻の森美術館, Hakone Choukoku no Mori Bijutsukan), opened in 1969, is Japan's first open-air museum. It is located in Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture. Hosting over 1,000 pieces, it includes artworks by Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Taro Okamoto, Yasuo Mizui, Churyo Sato, Susumu Shingu, Constantin Brâncuși, Barbara Hepworth, Rokuzan Ogiwara, and Kōtarō Takamura, among others. About 120 sculptural works are on permanent display across the park. The museum is affiliated with the Fujisankei Communications Group media conglomerate. Hakone Choukoku no Mori Bijutsukan is split into five indoor exhibitions and is best known for the Picasso Pavilion hall, containing around 300 of the Spanish artist's works. The museum also offers outdoor interactive sculptures for children and a naturally fed onsen footbath for guests.

Hakone Open-Air Museum (箱根彫刻の森) is one of the standout places to visit in Kanagawa. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.

Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Why it is worth the trip

Permanent galleries covering local history, industry and daily life in one clear sequence.

Original artefacts and reconstructions you can get close to, with English panels in most major rooms.

Rotating special exhibitions, so repeat visits rarely show the same thing twice.

What you can do here

Follow the permanent exhibition route first — it is usually built as a chronological story.

Borrow the audio guide or scan the QR panels for English, Korean or Chinese commentary.

Try the hands-on corner: crafts, replicas and workshops aimed at all ages.

Finish at the museum shop, which is often the best place in town for local-made souvenirs.

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