The Hakone Open-Air Museum | Hakone's Iconic Outdoor Art Sanctuary
When searching for things to do in Hakone, you will discover that the area boasts an incredible variety of museums, each featuring unique themes and artistic directions. Among them, the most famous, highly recommended, and widely visited is undoubtedly The Hakone Open-Air Museum!
Is this museum worth visiting? What makes it so special?
In this guide, I share everything you need to know about The Hakone Open-Air Museum, covering transport options, ticket discounts, and top must-see highlights to help you plan an unforgettable visit!
(Unlike typical indoor art galleries, The Hakone Open-Air Museum offers expansive outdoor grounds where art is not locked behind glass cases, allowing visitors to walk right up to, touch, and even climb through monumental sculptural creations.)
1. How to Get to The Hakone Open-Air Museum
Most travelers depart from Hakone-Yumoto Station to reach The Hakone Open-Air Museum. There are two primary transit options:
- Hakone Tozan Railway: Ride to "Chokoku-no-mori" Station (approx. 35 minutes, ¥460 one-way).
- Hakone Tozan Bus (Route H): Ride to "Ninotaira-iriguchi" bus stop (approx. 20 minutes, ¥730 one-way).
Although the Hakone Tozan Railway takes a bit longer, its zig-zag switchback route climbs through picturesque mountain ravines. The scenic train ride is an iconic Hakone experience in its own right, making it my top recommendation despite the slower pace.
Furthermore, if you hold a Hakone Freepass, you can ride almost all public transportation throughout the Hakone region for free (including both routes mentioned above). It is tremendous value and the transport choice preferred by most visitors.
If you are setting out from other corners of Hakone and want to check timetables, routes, travel times, and fares, you can use the official Hakone transit route finder to easily plan your transit connections.
(I personally took the Hakone Tozan Railway to the museum. After getting off at Chokoku-no-mori Station, it was just an easy 2-minute walk to the entrance. There are clear signposts along the way, or you can simply follow fellow travelers!)
2. Admission Tickets & Discounts
| Ticket Type | On-site Price | Online Price |
| Adult | ¥2,000 | ¥1,800 |
| University / High School | ¥1,600 | ¥1,400 |
| Middle / Elementary School | ¥800 | ¥600 |
The online discount applies when booking advance e-tickets via the official website, saving ¥200 per ticket. If purchasing tickets in person at the gate, you can present your Hakone Freepass to receive a ¥100 discount.
3. Highlights: What to See & Do
The Hakone Open-Air Museum spans an immense footprint. I recommend allocating at least 3 hours to explore the major exhibits, take photos, and relax. There are also interactive play areas for children; if traveling with kids who want to play thoroughly, consider setting aside even more time.
Curious about what not to miss? Below is a breakdown of the 5 key highlights: the Main Gallery, Symphonic Sculpture, Picasso Pavilion, Woods of Net, and the Natural Hot Spring Footbath!
(The walking paths at The Hakone Open-Air Museum are thoughtfully laid out; walking either clockwise or counter-clockwise easily covers all major points of interest. I explored clockwise, but either direction works great—it simply depends on whether you prefer visiting indoor galleries or outdoor gardens first.)
1. Main Gallery (本館ギャラリー)
Located right past the entrance, the Main Gallery showcases masterpieces by prominent modern sculptors. Exhibitions rotate periodically, ensuring returning visitors always encounter fresh perspectives. In contrast to the open-air grounds outside, this indoor gallery offers a classic museum ambiance where you can study the delicate lines, textures, and interplay of light and shadow up close.
(The museum possesses an extraordinarily rich sculpture collection, though indoor galleries generally prohibit photography, leaving you free to absorb every detail with your own eyes.)
(Near the Main Gallery, you will also find the Manzù Room, art exhibition halls, and the open-air Circular Plaza, all displaying an array of striking sculptural works.)
2. Symphonic Sculpture (幸せをよぶシンフォニー彫刻)
Standing 18 meters tall, this cylindrical glass tower may look modest from the outside, but stepping inside reveals a breathtaking wonderland of vibrant stained glass illuminated by natural sunlight. Visitors can climb the central spiral staircase to admire the glowing mosaic from various heights, before stepping out onto the open top deck for a 360-degree panorama over the museum grounds and Hakone's majestic mountain peaks. It is undeniably the most photogenic landmark in the entire park!
(The light and atmosphere inside shift continuously with changing daylight and weather, offering a distinct visual spectacle at different times of the day.)
(The panoramic view from the summit was far more expansive than I expected, showing how seamlessly the museum nestles among Hakone's lush mountain ridges. Enjoying the cool breeze up here was remarkably therapeutic.)
3. Picasso Pavilion (ピカソ館)
The Picasso Pavilion is the crown jewel of indoor galleries at The Hakone Open-Air Museum. Housing over 300 pieces by Pablo Picasso—including an extensive collection of 188 ceramic works, alongside sculptures, paintings, drawings, and prints—it ranks among the world's most comprehensive collections of Picasso's work and is an absolute must-see!
(Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Picasso Pavilion. The bright, contemporary exhibition space categorizes artworks thoughtfully by medium. Looking closely, you can sense Picasso's playful spontaneity and raw creative passion. It easily deserves the most dedicated indoor viewing time in the entire museum.)
4. Woods of Net (ネットの森)
This is by far the most beloved area for young children. Enclosed within a wooden structure is a massive, vibrant hand-crocheted net playground where kids can scramble, crawl, swing, and climb freely. Nearby, the whimsical "Star Garden" hedge maze offers another playful adventure. If your little ones need to burn off energy, this is the place to go!
(Seeing so many families playing happily here was infectious. Please note that access inside the net structure is strictly limited to children aged 12 and under, and shoes must be removed before entering, so dressing your kids in easily removable footwear is advisable.)
(The "Star Garden" maze situated right beside the Woods of Net is another crowd favorite among kids.)
5. Natural Hot Spring Footbath (森の足湯)
Soaking your feet in genuine hot springs while strolling through an art museum is a uniquely indulgent luxury you will only find in Hakone! The park features a complimentary outdoor footbath fed by 100% natural Hakone thermal spring water. Visitors can dip their feet in the soothing warmth while admiring outdoor sculptures, instantly melting away travel fatigue.
(Photo by The Hakone Open-Air Museum)
6. Other Scenic Outdoor Spaces
(The landscape architecture throughout The Hakone Open-Air Museum has always been one of my favorite aspects; the refined artistic atmosphere immerses you constantly in fine sculpture and breathtaking natural views.)
(Our trip coincided with Japan's cherry blossom season, and we were treated to rows of blooming sakura lining the lawn plazas and garden pathways.)
(Exquisite monumental sculptures dot every corner of the walking paths, rewarding unhurried exploration.)
That concludes our tour of The Hakone Open-Air Museum! Among Hakone's many cultural attractions, this park easily ranks as my top recommendation. Its world-class exhibits, convenient transit access, stunning nature, and family-friendly amenities make it a captivating destination for every kind of traveler. I am sure you will fall in love with it just as I did!