Hakone Open-Air Museum
Quick answer
Hakone Open-Air Museum in Hakone, Japan — founded in 1969, the Hakone Open-Air Museum (Hakone Chokoku no Mori Bijutsukan) was Japan's first open-air sculpture museum, displaying around 120 works across seventy thousand square metres of mountain meadow and forest in the Hakone resort area. Open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: ¥1,600 standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Hakone Open-Air Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | ¥1,600 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday morning for fewer crowds; clear winter days for Mount Fuji views from the meadow. |
| Getting there | Train: Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto to Chokoku-no-Mori station — museum entrance adjacent |
| Address | 1121 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Official website | hakone-oam.or.jp |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Hakone Open-Air Museum known for?
Founded in 1969, the Hakone Open-Air Museum (Hakone Chokoku no Mori Bijutsukan) was Japan's first open-air sculpture museum, displaying around 120 works across seventy thousand square metres of mountain meadow and forest in the Hakone resort area.
Sculptures by Henry Moore, Rodin, Miro, and Niki de Saint Phalle are set against views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Indoor pavilions include the Picasso Pavilion, with more than 300 works donated by the artist's daughter Maya Widmaier-Picasso.
The museum is a natural stop on the Hakone Loop route — reachable by the scenic Hakone Tozan Railway and cable car. A natural hot-spring foot bath is free for all visitors.
Allow half a day to combine the museum with Hakone's other attractions: Owakudani volcanic valley, Lake Ashi, and the pirate ship cruise.
Best for: Art Lovers · Families · Nature Lovers
How long do you need at Hakone Open-Air Museum?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Hakone Open-Air Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Symphonic Sculpture
📍 Central meadow
A 18-metre stained-glass tower visitors can climb inside, with coloured light flooding the spiral staircase — the museum's most photographed work.
- 2
The Thinker
📍 Rodin Pavilion garden
A bronze cast of Rodin's iconic figure set on a hillside terrace overlooking the central meadow.
- 3
Picasso Ceramics Suite
📍 Picasso Pavilion
More than 300 works including ceramics, paintings, and sculptures from Picasso's prolific later years, housed in a dedicated pavilion.
- 4
La Grande Tempête
📍 Lower meadow
A colourful mosaic sculpture from the artist's Nana series, contrasting with the green hillside and sky.
What are the must-see works at Hakone Open-Air Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Symphonic Sculpture, The Thinker, Picasso Ceramics Suite and more.
Symphonic Sculpture
Gabriel Loire · 1975
📍 Central meadow
A 18-metre stained-glass tower visitors can climb inside, with coloured light flooding the spiral staircase — the museum's most photographed work.
The Thinker
Auguste Rodin · cast
📍 Rodin Pavilion garden
A bronze cast of Rodin's iconic figure set on a hillside terrace overlooking the central meadow.
Picasso Ceramics Suite
Pablo Picasso · 1940s–50s
📍 Picasso Pavilion
More than 300 works including ceramics, paintings, and sculptures from Picasso's prolific later years, housed in a dedicated pavilion.
La Grande Tempête
Niki de Saint Phalle · 1986
📍 Lower meadow
A colourful mosaic sculpture from the artist's Nana series, contrasting with the green hillside and sky.
Collections and highlights
- • Symphonic Sculpture stained-glass tower
- • Picasso Pavilion — 300+ works
- • Henry Moore landscape sculptures
- • Hot-spring foot bath
- • 120 outdoor sculptures in mountain setting
Tips for visiting Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday morning for fewer crowds; clear winter days for Mount Fuji views from the meadow.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Very busy on weekends and during autumn foliage season (November).
- 3.
Tickets & booking
¥1,600 standard admission; Hakone Free Pass covers the railway but not museum entry.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Museum restaurant and café; fuller dining in Gora and Hakone-Yumoto.
- 5.
Accessibility
Most outdoor paths are accessible but some hillside sculptures require stairs.
How do you get to Hakone Open-Air Museum?
- train Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto to Chokoku-no-Mori station — museum entrance adjacent
- bus Hakone Loop bus stops at the museum on the route from Gora to Togendai
- car Parking available; about 90 minutes from Tokyo via Tomei Expressway
Address: 1121 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa, Japan
Hakone Open-Air Museum: frequently asked questions
Is the museum easy to reach?
Take the Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto to Chokoku-no-Mori station.
Is the foot bath free?
Yes — visitors can use the natural hot-spring foot bath at no extra cost.
How long should I spend at Hakone Open-Air Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Hakone Open-Air Museum. Our 4-stop route — Symphonic Sculpture, The Thinker, Picasso Ceramics Suite and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Hakone Open-Air Museum best known for?
Founded in 1969, the Hakone Open-Air Museum displays around 120 sculptures across seventy thousand square metres of mountain meadow and forest. Key highlights include Symphonic Sculpture stained-glass tower, Picasso Pavilion — 300+ works, Henry Moore landscape sculptures.
How do I get tickets for Hakone Open-Air Museum?
Admission: ¥1,600 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/en/
Can I see Mount Fuji from the museum?
On clear days, especially in winter, Mount Fuji is visible from the central meadow and upper terraces.
Is Hakone Open-Air Museum open on Mondays?
Yes — Hakone Open-Air Museum is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Hakone Open-Air Museum's opening hours?
Hakone Open-Air Museum is open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.