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Paintings at Pola Museum of Art Hakone

Museums in Hakone: Must-Sees and Practical Tips

Museums in Hakone aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this area—a destination famous for its hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and scenic ropeway rides. Yet the region is home to a surprising cultural scene, with art, design, and craft museums tucked into spectacular landscapes.

Some, like the Hakone Open-Air Museum or the Pola Museum, impress with their stunning settings and outstanding collections. Both featured in my list of Hakone’s 5 must-sees. Others are more discreet, but win visitors over with their originality, intimate atmosphere, or unexpected themes.

In this article, I share a handpicked selection of the best museums in Hakone—each with a clear overview of what to see, how much time to allow, how to get there, and all the practical info you’ll need. Perfect whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay.

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Overview

The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan’s first outdoor art museum, is an absolute must-see in the region. Set within a vast, rolling park, it blends contemporary sculptures, monumental works, and interactive installations. The museum is also renowned for its Picasso Pavilion, home to one of the richest permanent collections of the artist in Asia.

What to See

  • Over 100 outdoor sculptures, integrated into hillsides, lawns, and reflecting pools.

  • Works by Rodin, Henry Moore, Niki de Saint Phalle, Taro Okamoto, and more.

  • An indoor Picasso Pavilion with ceramics, drawings, prints, and photographs.

  • Several indoor exhibition spaces, including a main hall with sculptures and paintings, plus two smaller pavilions dedicated to contemporary sculpture.

  • Interactive and immersive installations, some designed especially for children.

  • A unique visual and sensory atmosphere that shifts with the weather and the seasons.

Don’t Miss

Symphonic Sculpture, by Gabriel Loire

This striking glass tower catches the eye from the outside, its stained-glass panels shifting with the changing light. A spiral staircase winds up to the top, leading to a 360° viewing platform. Inside, the walls cast moving patterns of color that change throughout the day—an artwork that is both contemplative and immersive.

How Much Time to Allow

Plan to spend 2–3 hours to fully enjoy the museum. The park is large, there’s plenty to see, and it’s best experienced at a slow pace.

Allow a little extra time if you want to linger—whether it’s resting on shaded benches or dipping your feet into the warm footbaths while taking in the views of nature.

Getting There

The museum is just a 5-minute walk from Chōkoku-no-Mori Station on the Hakone Tozan Line (one stop from Gora, or about a 10-minute walk).

It’s easy to reach with the Hakone Free Pass, whether you’re coming from Hakone-Yumoto or Gora.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
  • Admission: ¥2,000 for adults (¥100 discount with the Hakone Free Pass)
  • On-site café and restaurant, lockers, and very clean restrooms
  • No reservation required
  • Can be visited even in cloudy or rainy weather (umbrellas provided)
Want to see how I planned my 5 days in Hakone? Check out my complete itinerary to help you plan your trip with ease.
5-Day Hakone Itinerary

Pola Museum

Overview

The Pola Museum of Art is one of Hakone’s most elegant and serene museums. Nestled deep in the forest, it houses an exceptional collection of Western and Japanese paintings, along with decorative arts and glasswork. Its architecture—designed with transparency and natural light—blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The result: a museum where the visual experience begins the moment you arrive.

What to See

  • Works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, as well as Foujita, Sugiyama, and other modern Japanese artists.

  • Temporary exhibitions, often beautifully curated. (I visited the “Colours” exhibition in May 2025—absolutely stunning!)

  • A forest trail with outdoor sculptures, accessible from the museum (weather permitting).

  • Subtle architecture that naturally guides you through the visit—balancing light, nature, and silence.

How Much Time to Allow

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, longer if the current temporary exhibition catches your interest or if you add the outdoor trail. The pace here is calm, inviting you to slow down and simply take it all in.

Exhibition Colors at Pola Museum, Hakone

Getting There

The museum is located in the Sengokuhara area.

  • From Gora, take a bus (lines H, S, or L) to the Pola Bijutsukan stop.
  • The ride is included in the Hakone Free Pass.
  • The Pola Museum also offers a free shuttle service to and from Gora Station.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
  • Admission: ¥2,200 (¥2,000 with the Hakone Free Pass), ¥1,700 for students
  • On-site café-restaurant and a design shop in the main entrance hall
  • Photography not allowed inside the galleries unless otherwise indicated
Using the Hakone Free Pass? A Must!
Here’s Why

Venetian Glass Museum

Overview

The Venetian Glass Museum (also known as Glass no Mori) recreates a little Venice in the heart of Hakone. It combines Italian-style architecture, a romantic garden, and a vast collection of Venetian glass, from the Renaissance to today.

A surprising visit—somewhere between delicate art and a timeless atmosphere.

What to See

  • A collection of Venetian glass from the 15th century to today: vases, goblets, jewelry, mirrors, chandeliers…

  • Modern works blending crystal, light, and contemporary design.

  • An outdoor garden decorated with glass beads that sparkle in the sun, with fountains and footbridges.

  • An elegant tea salon overlooking the garden.

  • A boutique with glass art pieces and refined souvenirs.

  • A small shop-workshop offering handmade sweets.

Don’t Miss

The suspended footbridge adorned with glass beads, right at the garden entrance.
It catches the light with every step, creating a shimmering curtain of reflections—almost magical. An unmissable highlight!

Venetian crystal decoration at Glass Museum Hakone

How Much Time to Allow

Plan to spend about 1 to 1.5 hours exploring the museum, strolling through the garden, and relaxing in the tea salon.

Getting There

Located in Sengokuhara.

From Gora or Hakone-Yumoto, take the S or L bus line and get off at Hyoseki / Hakone Garasu no Mori-mae. The ride is fully covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
    Admission: ¥1,800 (¥1,700 with the Hakone Free Pass)
  • Extras: Elegant tea salon with garden views and glass tableware
  • Seasonal touch: Small baroque concerts depending on the season
  • Photography: Allowed outdoors, limited indoors
Want to make the most of Hakone? My tips for finding the perfect place to stay:
Where to Stay in Hakone

Lalique Museum

René Lalique jewelry and perfume bottles at Lalique Museum Hakone

Overview

Dedicated to the French master glassmaker and jeweler René Lalique, this museum pays tribute to an exceptional artisan.
The sleek, light-filled building houses more than 1,500 pieces—jewelry, perfume bottles, vases, decorative objects, and lighting. The exhibition design highlights the refinement of Lalique’s craftsmanship and its evolution from Art Nouveau to Art Deco.

The grounds also feature a restored Orient Express dining car, displayed in the garden, with its interior designed by Lalique himself.

What to See

  • An exceptional collection of René Lalique’s works, from his early jewelry designs to his masterpieces in molded glass.

  • Perfume bottles, vases, pendants, illuminated panels, and more.

  • The Orient Express carriage, plus an elegant tearoom with garden views.

Don’t Miss

The Orient Express dining carriage, displayed in the museum’s garden.
Adorned with Lalique’s engraved glass panels, it offers a rare glimpse into the refined aesthetics of 1930s luxury travel—an exquisite showcase of elegance and craftsmanship to admire from every angle.

How Much Time to Allow

Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours to explore the permanent collection and stroll through the garden.

Getting There

Located in Sengokuhara, not far from the Venetian Glass Museum.

From either Gora or Hakone-Yumoto, take the S or L bus line and get off at Lalique Bijutsukan-mae. The ride is covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
  • Admission: ¥1,500 (¥1,300 with the Hakone Free Pass)
  • Extras: Elegant tearoom serving teas and pastries inspired by the Lalique universe
  • Note: Photography not permitted inside

Narukawa Art Museum

Nihonga Japanese paintings at Narukawa Art Museum Hakone

Overview

Tucked into the hills of Motohakone, the Narukawa Art Museum is a serene blend of culture and contemplation. Its collection focuses on modern Japanese art, especially nihonga works gathered by the museum’s founder.

Yet the true masterpiece here is nature itself: from the large glass hall, armchairs are perfectly positioned to gaze out over Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji rising in the distance on clear days. Silence, light, and pure beauty.

What to See

  • Une collection variée d’œuvres modernes japonaises, notamment en style nihonga.
  • Des compositions délicates, inspirées par la nature, les saisons et la spiritualité.
  • Des expositions temporaires régulièrement renouvelées.
  • Une baie vitrée panoramique, avec vue sur le lac et les montagnes.
  • Un petit salon de thé.

Don’t Miss

The view from the main hall, framed by the vast glass window, is unforgettable. On clear days, Mount Fuji rises in the distance above the lake, like a living Japanese woodblock print. An experience that feels almost meditative.

Narukawa Art Museum panoramic lounge with Mount Fuji view

How Much Time to Allow

Allow 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace. This is a place that invites you to slow down and simply take it in.

Getting There

Located in Motohakone, just a few minutes’ walk from the port. Perched on a hillside, the museum is still easily accessible thanks to a series of escalators.

Convenient to reach whether you’re arriving by lake cruise boat or by bus from Hakone-Yumoto or Gora. The journey is included with the Hakone Free Pass.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
  • Admission: ¥1,500 (¥1,200 with the Hakone Free Pass)
  • Tea lounge with a view
  • Photography prohibited indoors

Okada Museum of Art

Overview

Surrounded by a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden, the Okada Museum of Art is a serene and refined space—perfect for slowing down and stepping into a world of calm.

Inside, you’ll find an extensive collection of Asian art: paintings, ceramics, bronzes, lacquerware, Buddhist statues, tea ceremony objects, and more. Spread across several floors in an understated, softly lit setting, the museum offers a journey through the elegance of East Asian aesthetics.

The works come from the private collection of the museum’s founder, a passionate admirer of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese art. Regularly renewed temporary exhibitions add variety and depth to the experience.

What to See

  • Japanese, Korean, and Chinese artworks spanning from antiquity to modern times.

  • A tranquil Japanese garden below the museum, with a walking path for a peaceful stroll.

  • A monumental outdoor piece by Kotaro Fukui — a striking steel dragon displayed on the façade.

Don’t Miss

  • Shūgakuin Imperial Villa, Edo period, 17th century.

  • A panoramic landscape over 3.5 meters long, blending nature, architecture, and refined detail.

  • Every element invites quiet contemplation — a masterpiece of pure subtlety.

How Much Time to Allow

Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours, especially if you want to linger in the garden and explore both exhibition levels at a relaxed pace.

Getting There

Located between Gora and Kowakidani, just a 5-minute walk from the Kowakien bus stop.
Easily reached on the H, S, K, or J bus lines, all covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)
  • Admission: ¥2,800 (¥2,200 with the Hakone Free Pass)
  • Garden access: ¥300
  • Foot bath access: Included with museum admission
  • Photos: Not allowed inside

Hakone Checkpoint (Hakone Sekisho)

Overview

Set along the shores of Lake Ashi, the Hakone Checkpoint is a faithful reconstruction of a historic inspection post from the Tokugawa shogunate.
During the Edo period, this strategic gateway controlled traffic along the Tōkaidō road, the vital route connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto.
Today, the site offers an immersive glimpse into life under the shogunate, with carefully rebuilt structures and well-designed exhibits that bring history to life.

What to See

  • A reconstructed checkpoint complex, complete with watchtower, interrogation room, prison, and guard residences.
    A scenic overlook of Lake Ashi from the viewpoint just behind the site.

Don’t Miss

The wooden watchtower, perched above the site.
It offers sweeping views of Lake Ashi and helps you picture the site’s strategic role back in the Edo era, when travelers on foot were closely monitored by the shogunate’s samurai.

Hakone Checkpoint Museum Edo-period reconstruction - view from the observatory

How Much Time to Allow

Allow 30 to 45 minutes to tour the site and take in the views.

Getting There

Located in Hakone-machi, on the southeastern shore of Lake Ashi, just a few minutes’ walk from Hakone-machi Port.
You can reach it by boat from Togendai or Motohakone, or by bus (Line S from Gora, for example). All routes are covered by the Hakone Free Pass.

Practical Info

  • Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
  • Admission: ¥500 (¥400 with the Hakone Free Pass)

Conclusion – Museums in Hakone: An Unexpected Cultural Treasure

Antony Gormley statue at Hakone Open Air Museum, Gora

Hakone isn’t just about nature and hot springs — its museums offer a cultural escape that perfectly complements a stay in the region. From open-air exhibits to Japanese art, European design, and international collections, there’s truly something for everyone.

Personally, I was amazed by how rich and diverse the cultural scene is here. I had some wonderful surprises, and I can honestly say these museums are among the must-do experiences in Hakone. If, like me, you enjoy packing your travels with new discoveries, I 100% recommend adding at least a few of these visits to your itinerary.

FAQ – Museums in Hakone

Do you need to book in advance to visit Hakone’s museums?

No — most museums don’t require reservations. Tickets are purchased on-site.

Yes. Most museums in Hakone offer a discount of ¥100–¥600 when you show your Hakone Free Pass. The exact amount varies by museum.

Absolutely. Hakone’s museums are well connected and often clustered by area (Gora, Sengokuhara, around the lake). With a mix of public transport and short walks, you can comfortably visit 2–3 museums in a day—especially if you plan your route in advance.

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