Of all the things to do in Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum (Chokoku-no-Mori) is the one that surprises first-time visitors the most. Opened in 1969 as Japan’s first open-air art museum, it spreads more than 120 sculptures across 70,000 square meters of grassy hillside, with the green mountains of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park as a constant backdrop. Children sprint between bronze giants, an entire pavilion is devoted to Picasso, and you can soak your feet in a hot-spring foot bath fed by Hakone’s onsen while you take it all in. It is part gallery, part park, and entirely unforgettable.
This Hakone Open-Air Museum guide covers everything a first-timer needs: how much tickets cost and how to save on them, the must-see works including the Picasso Pavilion and the stained-glass Symphonic Sculpture, how long to budget, the best time to visit for autumn color, and exactly how to get there on the Hakone Tozan Railway. Whether you are an art lover or simply looking for a relaxed, family-friendly stop on the round course, here is how to make the most of it.
🎬 Watch Before You Go
What Is the Hakone Open-Air Museum?
Background and History
The Hakone Open-Air Museum was founded in 1969 by the Fujisankei Communications Group with a radical idea for its time: take sculpture out of the hushed white gallery and set it free in nature. The result is a permanent collection of modern and contemporary masters — Henry Moore, Joan Miro, Taro Okamoto, Barbara Hepworth, and Constantin Brancusi among them — displayed across open lawns where weather, light, and seasons constantly change how the works look. The museum was so successful that its parent foundation went on to open the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum and other art spaces, helping turn Hakone into one of Japan’s richest art destinations. For the wider picture of how it fits a Hakone day, see our Hakone travel guide for first-time visitors.
Why It Is Special
What sets the Hakone Open-Air Museum apart is the way art and landscape amplify each other. A Henry Moore reclining figure reads completely differently against a backdrop of autumn maples than it would indoors. Interactive works invite you to climb inside them, the foot bath turns a museum visit into a spa moment, and the scale — you walk a gentle one-kilometer loop — means kids and reluctant gallery-goers stay engaged. It is consistently ranked among the best things to do in Hakone for exactly this reason. To slot it into the full sightseeing list, see our guide to the best things to do in Hakone.
Top Recommendations
Here are the works and spaces inside the Hakone Open-Air Museum you should not miss, roughly in the order you will meet them along the loop.
1. The Picasso Pavilion
The indoor highlight is a two-story pavilion holding more than 300 Picasso works — ceramics, paintings, prints, and gold pieces — donated in large part by the artist’s daughter. The rotating display is one of the largest Picasso collections in Asia and alone justifies the admission. Allow at least 30 minutes here.
2. Symphonic Sculpture
The museum’s icon is a 18-meter stained-glass tower you climb via a spiral staircase. Sunlight pours through thousands of colored panels, and the view from the top takes in the entire sculpture park against the mountains. It is the single most photographed spot in the museum.
3. The Henry Moore Collection
Hakone holds one of the world’s most significant collections of Henry Moore’s monumental bronzes, displayed on a dedicated lawn where their curves play against the rolling hills. The works rotate periodically, so repeat visitors always find something new.
4. The Hot-Spring Foot Bath
Near the cafe, a free hot-spring foot bath (you pay only if you need a towel, about 100 yen) lets you rest tired feet in naturally heated Hakone onsen water. It is the perfect mid-visit pause and a uniquely Hakone touch you will not find at a typical art museum.
5. Woods of Net
This enormous hand-knitted play sculpture sits inside a wooden pavilion built without nails. Children can climb and bounce inside the colorful net while adults admire the craftsmanship. It is the museum’s most family-friendly stop.
6. Seasonal Lawns and Gardens
The grounds themselves are a living exhibit. Hydrangeas bloom in June, while October and November set the maples ablaze in red and gold, turning the whole loop into a photographer’s dream. If timing your visit for color, check our seasonal Mt Fuji and foliage guide.
7. The Cafe and Gift Shop
The on-site cafe overlooks the sculpture lawns and serves light meals, coffee, and seasonal desserts in the 800–1,500 yen range — a pleasant place to pause with a view rather than a wall. The museum gift shop is one of the best in Hakone, stocking design-led prints, Picasso-inspired ceramics, art books, and original stationery that make far more memorable souvenirs than the usual keychains. Even if you are watching your budget, it is worth a browse for postcards of the works you have just seen. Families should note there is a baby room and the loop is largely stroller-friendly, so the museum works well for multi-generation groups exploring Hakone together.
Want to combine the museum with the lake and the ropeway in one efficient loop? Our Lake Ashi and Hakone Ropeway guide sequences the round course so you reach each stop at the right time of day.
How to Book / Where to Experience
Tickets and How to Get There
Adult admission to the Hakone Open-Air Museum is about 2,000 yen, with discounts for students (around 1,600 yen) and children (around 1,000 yen). Hakone Free Pass holders receive roughly a 200-yen discount, and various online coupons exist. The museum is a two-minute walk from Chokoku-no-Mori Station, just one stop before Gora on the Hakone Tozan Railway — so it slots naturally into the round course. From Hakone-Yumoto the train takes about 35–40 minutes. You can pre-book discounted tickets and combine them with transport passes online; compare Hakone Open-Air Museum tickets on Klook →, or grab the all-in-one Hakone Free Pass on Klook → to cover the train as well.
Where to Stay Nearby
The museum sits between Miyanoshita and Gora, two of Hakone’s best ryokan neighborhoods, so it is easy to pair with an overnight onsen stay. Staying nearby means you can arrive at opening time before the tour groups. Check Gora hotels and ryokan on Booking.com →, and for a full neighborhood breakdown see where to stay in Hakone.
Combining the Museum with the Round Course
Because Chokoku-no-Mori Station is just one stop below Gora, the Hakone Open-Air Museum fits seamlessly into the classic round course. A smooth plan looks like this: arrive at the 9:00 a.m. opening, spend two hours with the sculptures and foot bath, then ride one stop to Gora for an early lunch. From Gora, take the cable car to Sounzan and the ropeway over Owakudani — stopping for the black eggs and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji — before descending to Togendai and cruising Lake Ashi by pirate ship in the afternoon. Finish at Moto-Hakone to photograph the Torii of Peace in soft evening light, then bus back to Hakone-Yumoto. Doing the museum first means you enjoy it crowd-free and still have the whole day for the lake and the volcano. The entire sequence is covered by the Hakone Free Pass, so you tap through each gate without buying separate tickets.
Tips & What to Expect
Best Time to Visit
The museum opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30). Arrive right at opening to enjoy the sculptures and foot bath before the crowds and to get clean photos of the Symphonic Sculpture. Seasonally, late October to mid-November is magical, when the maples turn and the lawns glow; June brings hydrangeas. The museum is largely outdoors, so a clear, mild day is ideal, though the Picasso Pavilion and other indoor spaces make it a solid rainy-day choice too.
What to Bring and How Long to Stay
Wear comfortable shoes for the one-kilometer loop and bring a small towel if you plan to use the foot bath. Most visitors spend 90 minutes to two hours, though art lovers easily fill three. There is a cafe and a couple of snack stands on site, plus a well-stocked gift shop with design-led souvenirs. First-timer insider tip: do the foot bath last, after all the walking, then head straight to Gora one stop up the line to continue the round course toward Owakudani.
Getting There and Logistics
From Tokyo, take the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (about 85 minutes), then the Tozan railway to Chokoku-no-Mori. The museum is signposted in English from the station. If you are building a wider trip, the museum pairs naturally with a Mt Fuji day trip from Tokyo or one of the other best day trips from Tokyo.
Accessibility and Practical Notes
The main loop follows gentle, mostly paved slopes, and much of the museum is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though a few sculpture areas involve steps. Coin lockers near the entrance let you store bags so you can wander hands-free, and English signage is provided throughout. Photography is allowed across the outdoor grounds, making it one of the most rewarding spots in Hakone for travel photos. If you are visiting in winter, dress warmly: at roughly 500 meters elevation the open lawns feel noticeably colder than central Tokyo, and the foot bath becomes the most popular spot in the park.
Best Photo Spots in the Museum
Photographers will want to budget extra time. The view from the top of the Symphonic Sculpture, looking down through colored glass onto the sculpture lawns, is the museum’s signature shot, best in late-morning light. The Henry Moore lawn frames bronzes against the mountains, while the Woods of Net pavilion glows with backlit color in the afternoon. In autumn, the maple-lined path near the entrance turns into a tunnel of red and gold that draws a crowd of camera-toting visitors; arriving at opening lets you capture it empty. The foot bath, with steam rising against the green hills, makes a uniquely Hakone frame. Bring a wide lens for the large outdoor pieces and a phone or compact for the playful, climb-in works — and remember that the soft, even light of a lightly overcast day often photographs the sculptures better than harsh midday sun.
FAQ
How much are Hakone Open-Air Museum tickets? Adult admission is about 2,000 yen, students around 1,600 yen, and children around 1,000 yen. Hakone Free Pass holders and online coupon users get a small discount.
Is the Hakone Open-Air Museum worth it? Yes. The combination of world-class sculpture, the Picasso Pavilion, mountain scenery, and a hot-spring foot bath makes it one of the most rewarding and family-friendly stops in Hakone.
How long does it take to visit? Plan on 90 minutes to two hours for a relaxed loop; dedicated art fans should allow three hours to fully enjoy the Picasso Pavilion and the rotating collections.
What are the opening hours? The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. It rarely closes, making it a dependable all-weather option.
How do I get to the Hakone Open-Air Museum? Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-Mori Station; the entrance is a two-minute walk. From Hakone-Yumoto the ride is about 35–40 minutes.
Is it good for children? Very. The Woods of Net play sculpture, open lawns, and interactive works make it one of the most child-friendly attractions in Hakone.
Can I visit on a rainy day? Yes. While much of the collection is outdoors, the Picasso Pavilion and indoor galleries keep the visit enjoyable in poor weather, and the foot bath is a cozy treat when it is cool.
Is there food inside the Hakone Open-Air Museum? Yes. A cafe and a few snack stands serve light meals and desserts from about 800 yen, and the gift shop is excellent. Many visitors still prefer to eat a fuller lunch one stop away in Gora.
Can I use the Hakone Free Pass at the museum? The Free Pass covers the train to Chokoku-no-Mori Station and gives a small admission discount, but you still pay the entrance fee. Pre-booking a discounted ticket online can save a little more.
What is the Symphonic Sculpture at the Hakone Open-Air Museum? It is an 18-meter stained-glass tower you climb by a spiral staircase. Thousands of colored panels flood the interior with light, and the top offers the best panorama over the entire sculpture park — the most photographed feature in the museum.
Is the Hakone Open-Air Museum the same as the Pola Museum of Art? No. They are two separate art museums in Hakone. The Open-Air Museum near Gora focuses on outdoor sculpture and Picasso, while the Pola Museum in Sengokuhara holds Impressionist paintings inside a forest. Art lovers with two days often visit both.
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You might also like:
- Hakone Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
- Best Things to Do in Hakone: Top 12 Sights
- Lake Ashi & Hakone Ropeway Guide
- Where to Stay in Hakone
Conclusion
The Hakone Open-Air Museum proves that great art does not need four walls. Between the Picasso Pavilion, the glowing Symphonic Sculpture, monumental Henry Moore bronzes, and a hot-spring foot bath with a mountain view, it offers something for every kind of traveler — and slots neatly into the Hakone round course. Three things to remember: arrive at the 9:00 a.m. opening to beat the crowds; budget at least two hours so you are not rushing the Picasso collection; and aim for autumn or June when the grounds are at their most beautiful.
Ready to plan your visit? Save time and money by booking ahead — grab Hakone Open-Air Museum tickets on Klook → — and turn it into an overnight by browsing nearby Gora ryokan on Booking.com → or our guide to where to stay in Hakone.