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Set in the heart of Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum combines world-class art with mountain scenery, offering an inspiring cultural stop for travelers of all ages.

Sculptures of reflective silver and gold spheres stand amid tall trees and grass at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, while several people walk nearby in an outdoor park surrounded by greenery.

A One-of-a-Kind Outdoor Art Experience

Opened in 1969, the Hakone Open-Air Museum was Japan’s first outdoor museum and remains one of the most popular art spaces in the country. Spread across 70,000 square meters, it features more than 120 sculptures by both Japanese and international artists.

Unlike traditional galleries, this museum invites you to explore freely, with each piece placed in harmony with the surrounding mountains and trees.

Highlights of the Hakone Open-Air Museum

Round Plaza and Curved Space-Diamond Structure

A large geometric outdoor sculpture made of interconnected transparent hexagonal and pentagonal panels stands on a terrace surrounded by greenery at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, with benches and a person sitting nearby.

At the entrance, Round Plaza sets the tone with large-scale sculptures. Peter Pearce’s Curved Space-Diamond Structure, a massive model of a diamond crystal magnified billions of times, immediately caught our attention.

‘Sphere Within Sphere’ by Arnaldo Pomodoro

This striking bronze globe is one of several versions placed around the world. Against Hakone’s natural backdrop, it makes a bold statement.

“My Sky Hole” by Bukichi Inoue

Looking up through this curved metal sculpture gave us a moment of quiet reflection, as the piece blends sky and art in a playful way.

Woods of Net – A Playground in the Forest

A boy in casual clothes stands under a large, colorful, netted playground structure indoors at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, surrounded by vibrant woven patterns and wooden walls.

Our kids couldn’t get enough of the Woods of Net, a large wooden dome housing a colorful netted playground. It’s designed for climbing, bouncing, and exploring, making it one of the most family-friendly museum spaces we’ve ever visited.

Nearby, a star-shaped maze adds another interactive element, though it sometimes closes seasonally or for events.

Picasso Pavilion

A tall stone sculpture featuring a woman carved into a column stands on a manicured lawn at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, set before a modern building with large windows; several other sculptures and visitors are visible in the background.

The Picasso Pavilion showcases more than 300 works, including paintings, ceramics, and sketches. While photography isn’t allowed, we enjoyed the chance to see a different side of Picasso’s creativity.

The exhibits sometimes rotate between this pavilion and the main gallery, so it’s worth checking ahead.

Symphonic Sculpture – A Stained Glass Tower

A spiral staircase ascends inside a tall, cylindrical tower at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where colorful, intricate stained glass panels create a vibrant, mosaic-like effect as light streams through.

One of the museum’s most memorable pieces is the Symphonic Sculpture, a towering stained-glass cylinder with a spiral staircase inside. Climbing to the top, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the museum and surrounding Hakone mountains.

Intersecting Space Construction by Ryoji Goto

At the far end of the grounds, across a pedestrian bridge, this geometric piece framed by nature made for a perfect conclusion to our visit.

How to Get to Hakone Open-Air Museum (箱根彫刻の森美術館)

Train

  • Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku no Mori Station. The museum is a quick two-minute walk from the station.

Car

  • From Hakone Yumoto Station The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
  • From Gora Station The drive takes approximately 5 minutes.
  • From Lake Ashi near the Togendai area The drive takes about 20 minutes.

Pro Tip: Buy online tickets to save and skip the line, and arrive early for the Symphonic Sculpture and Picasso Pavilion.

Is Hakone Open-Air Museum Worth Visiting?

Sculpture garden with geometric grass shapes, a bronze statue in the foreground, and a modern building on the left, set against green hills at the Hakone Open-Air Museum.

We loved how the museum brings together art, nature, and playful experiences for visitors of all ages. From hands-on installations to breathtaking seasonal scenery and world-famous sculptures, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy as a family.

More to Explore Nearby

The Hakone Open-Air Museum’s unique blend of nature and modern sculpture is centrally located in the Gora area, providing easy access to local dining, historical crafts, and the dramatic scenery of the Hakone Loop.

  • Hakone Gora Park – Explore the elegant, French-style garden just above the museum area, offering seasonal flowers, a fountain plaza, and craft workshops.
  • Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani – Take the nearby Ropeway up the mountain for dramatic, sulfuric views of Owakudani volcanic valley and the surrounding area.
  • Gora Tamura Ginkatsu-tei – Enjoy a local culinary highlight at this famed restaurant in Gora, known for its specialty tofu katsu (deep-fried tofu cutlets).
  • Hakone Venetian Glass Museum – Discover another artistic attraction in Hakone that showcases exquisite Venetian glassware within an Italian-style garden setting.

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