About Us

Not far from Mt. Fuji, Hakone immerses the visitor in the splendor of nature, glorious in any season. Making the most of the natural beauty of its surroundings, The Hakone Open-Air Museum was founded in 1969, becoming Japan’s first outdoor, open-air museum of art. Located in a lushly green 70,000 square meters garden with a view of the Hakone mountains, the museum has on permanent display some 120 masterpieces by famous modern and contemporary sculptors. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a leisurely stroll, taking the time to examine your favorite sculptures up close and experience firsthand what each work of art has to say. Visit the museum’s five indoor exhibitions, including the Picasso Pavilion with its rotational displays from the more than 300 Picasso pieces in this world-class collection, as well as the natural hot spring bath and the art in the outdoor plazas. Take the time to nurture your soul in the artistic and natural beauty of The Hakone Open-Air Museum.

What the Outdoor Sculptures Offer

1. A dynamic opportunity to get close-up and personal with the artistic masterpieces
2. A stroll through a world of art amid the natural beauty of the changing seasons
3. An encounter with truly engaging, captivating artworks

The outdoor sculptures are the most captivating feature of The Hakone Open-Air Museum. Nestled in lush natural surroundings, the visitor’s experience of these sculptures changes with the time of day, the weather, and the season. On sunny days, visitors can take the time to immerse themselves in a leisurely stroll of art appreciation, taking in the fresh, open air for a truly singular experience.

1. A dynamic opportunity to get close-up and personal with the artistic masterpieces

Outdoor sculptures—Art on the grand scale of nature
A stroll through the art of sculpture
More than 100 modern and contemporary masterpieces on display fill the expansive 70,000m2 museum grounds. The artworks are designed for outdoor display, and are tall, monumental sculpted pieces; their immense scale is truly awe-inspiring. Many of the sculptures are not protected by fences, inviting visitors to get as close as they would like, to discover firsthand what the artist wishes to convey.

2. A stroll through a world of art amid the natural beauty of the changing seasons

Flowers, plants, the sun… the sculptures bathe in the presence of every element of nature.
The trees and flowers that adorn the museum grounds and the stunning beauty of the surrounding mountains bring varied nuance in color and light to the sculptures at different times of year. Visit the museum in different seasons to experience the full transformation over time. View the sculptures from different angles to create your own personal perspective on the pieces.

Spring—The most sumptuous of seasons, flowers blossom to transform the museum into a bouquet of color. Summer—The sculptures bathe in summer light, the enhanced contrast highlighting their weighty presence.
Autumn—As the leaves change color, the grounds are soaked in the quiet tones of the Hakone autumn in true Japanese style.
Winter—The silence of the season beckons the visitor to stillness in order to listen carefully to what these sculptures have to say.

3. An encounter with truly engaging, captivating artworks

This assembly of so many sculptures in one place speaks in a very unique way.
Standing in the midst of so many captivating sculptures, you may feel as if lost in an illusory world inhabited only by sculptures. Are you ready to let time pass slowly as you listen to the message sculpted into each work of art?