Hakone Open-Air Museum Guide: Best Works, Discount Tips & Photo Zones
Tokyo Mate
🌳 What is the Hakone Open-Air Museum?
Opened in 1969, the Hakone Open-Air Museum is Japan’s first outdoor art museum. Spreading over 70,000 square meters of lush greenery with views of the magnificent Hakone mountains, about 120 masterpieces by representative modern and contemporary sculptors are on permanent display. It is a special space where you can experience artworks that change their expression according to the time and season, as if taking a stroll with no fixed path.
✨ Must-See! Representative Works & Experiences BEST 4
1. Symphonic Sculpture (Symphony in the Air)
The iconic 18-meter-tall tower of this museum. As you climb the spiral staircase inside, the 360-degree stained glass creates a fantastic atmosphere combined with light. The view of the entire museum from the top of the tower is also a sight not to be missed.
2. Picasso Pavilion
This museum houses one of the world’s most significant Picasso collections, with over 300 pieces donated by Picasso’s daughter. You can see paintings, prints, and sculptures, as well as a variety of ceramic works that reflect his passion in his later years.
3. Hot Spring Footbath (Free)
A special space inside the museum where you can soak your feet in flowing natural hot spring water to relieve fatigue. Take some time to heal while enjoying the warm footbath and the nature of Hakone spread out before you.
4. Woods of Net & Log Plaza (Recommended for children)
These are hands-on artworks where children can play directly within the art. Climbing up and down the giant net or building log blocks allows them to exercise their creativity, making it popular for family visitors.
🎟️ Must-Read Before Visiting! Access, Admission & Discount Tips
🚉 How to Get There
Take the Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at ‘Chokoku-no-Mori Station’, then walk for 2 minutes. (Tozan Railway: Depart from Hakone-Yumoto Station → Get off at Chokoku-no-Mori Station)
📍 Hakone Open-Air Museum (Google Maps)
🕒 Operating Information
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Open year-round
💰 Admission & Discount Tips
- Regular Price: Adults 2,000 JPY / University & High School Students 1,600 JPY / Middle & Elementary School Students 800 JPY
- Discount Methods:
- Hakone Free Pass: Present your Hakone Free Pass, an essential for Hakone travel, at the ticket office to receive a 200 JPY discount, the same price as an online ticket.
- Purchase Online Tickets in Advance: You can enter for 1,800 JPY (200 JPY discount for adults) by purchasing tickets in advance from the official website.
➡️ Official Online Ticket Purchase for Hakone Open-Air Museum
📌 Useful Tips to Know
- Free Audio Guide: If you download the free audio guide provided by Klook in advance, you can enjoy the exhibition with in-depth explanations of the works.
- Precautions: The museum has many stairs and slopes as it utilizes the mountain terrain. If necessary, use wheelchairs or strollers provided for free at the information desk.
🎧 Klook Hakone Open-Air Museum Free Audio Guide
A special experience of breathing with art in nature, the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Even if you don’t know much about art, it’s a beautiful place where just walking is healing. Why not plan your next trip along with other Hakone posts on my blog?
⭐ Recommended Hakone Travel Guides
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➡️ How to Book Hakone Romance Car: From Observation Seats to Tips
Editor's Note
This article is based on the author's actual experiences and original content from blog.naver.com/tokyomate. It has been translated and adapted to provide authentic travel information about Tokyo for global readers.