Hakone Open Air Museum Guide

This guide is for art lovers seeking outdoor sculpture. It answers: “What is the Hakone Open Air Museum?”

Quick Facts

Best for: Art lovers, families, photographers
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Access: Chokoku-no-Mori Station (Hakone Tozan Railway)
Admission: ¥1,600

Overview

Hakone Open Air Museum Guide - Image 2 — Photo by David Kernan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Japans first open-air museum opened in 1969. Over 120 sculptures by Rodin, Moore, Picasso and others are displayed across 70,000 square meters of gardens with mountain backdrops.

Highlights

Outdoor Sculptures

Works by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and contemporary artists spread across rolling lawns. Interactive pieces for children.

Auguste Rodin's 'The Thinker' sculpture displayed outdoors at Hakone Open Air Museum. — Rodin Sculpture — Photo by Suicasmo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

A large bronze Henry Moore sculpture, 'The Family', set against the museum's green lawns. — Henry Moore Sculpture — Photo by Suicasmo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Children playing inside the colorful Symphonic Sculpture at Hakone Open Air Museum. — Interactive Sculptures — Photo by Suicasmo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

A wide shot of various outdoor sculptures set against the Hakone mountains at the Open Air Museum. — Outdoor Sculptures — Photo by David Kernan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Picasso Pavilion

Over 300 works by Pablo Picasso including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. One of the worlds major Picasso collections.

Foot Bath

Free natural hot spring foot bath within the museum grounds. Rest tired feet while enjoying art.

Tips

Weather: Best on clear days. Some indoor galleries for rainy days.
Kids: Interactive sculptures and play areas make it family-friendly.

Getting There

From Narita Airport (NRT)

Take the JR Narita Express (N’EX) to Shinjuku Station. From Shinjuku, transfer to the Odakyu Line (Limited Express “Romancecar” or Rapid Express) to Hakone-Yumoto Station. At Hakone-Yumoto, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-mori Station. The total journey takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.

From Haneda Airport (HND)

Take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station, then transfer to the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama) or JR Tokaido Line to Odawara Station. From Odawara, take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-mori Station. Alternatively, highway buses occasionally run from the airport to Hakone-Yumoto. The train route typically takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

From Major Stations

From Shinjuku Station: Take the Odakyu “Romancecar” Limited Express to Hakone-Yumoto Station (approximately 75–90 minutes). Transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-mori Station (approximately 35–40 minutes).
From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama) to Odawara Station (approximately 35 minutes). Transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-mori Station (approximately 50–60 minutes).

Local Access

The Hakone Open Air Museum is located approximately a 2-minute walk from Chokoku-no-mori Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway. IC cards such as Suica and PASMO are generally accepted on the trains. The Hakone Freepass covers transportation on the Hakone Tozan Railway and is often a convenient option for visitors exploring the area.

Sources

Official site: Hakone Open-Air Museum

Last updated: 2026-02-03