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For centuries, Hakone has drawn visitors in search of faith and healing, with few places in Japan comparable to its natural scenery, atmosphere, religion, art, medieval history, food and onsens.
Hakone’s contribution to Japanese art is one that melds nature and man and far surpasses the output of other cities with more than 10 times its population. Blend this with the magnificent views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji and the respect and appreciation of life shared by all of the townsfolk and you have a superb destination for escaping Tokyo.
Hakone is blessed with some fantastic scenery and some of the finest is to be found as you approach the Hakone Open Air sculpture garden where images of lush forestry, which covers the rolling hills, are reflected in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of color that changes with the seasons. The picturesque valleys are also home to outstanding works of man-made art by some of the most famous practitioners of sculpting to have worked ... and combined, they make for many a striking visual.
The indoor exhibition rooms are without doubt among the most well stocked of Japanese art galleries and are home to a series of works by Renoir and Picasso. Within are approximately 300 pieces of rare ceramic work and once you have walked your way through that, you can rest your feet in the foot baths that have been made by utilizing the natural hot springs of the town.
All of the photographs here have been taken from walking around the outside gardens and the works that are displayed there, among 70,000 square meters of grass land, are works by sculptors including Henry Moore and Rodin.
Boasting a great literary heritage in Japan as well -- once being home to noted literati, politicians and foreign dignitaries in the Meiji and Taisho and early Showa periods -- it should also be noted for its contribution to craftwork with parquetry.
One of the greatest joys of visiting Hakone is, of course, the people themselves. Polite, meditative, always ready to help and, if there is a single way to characterize the local people – it is living life to its most beautiful, creating and maintaining a fantastic atmosphere so much in evidence across town. So go and see for yourself.
© Japan Today
11 Comments
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sk4ek
The Hakone sculpture garden does have a lot of wonderful pieces that are well worth the trip to see. This strange article doesn't do the place justice, though.
nath
I didn't visit the open air museum in Hakone due to lack of time unfortunately. I was more interested in the onsens, onsen tamago, Lake Ashi, the preserved section of the Tokaido Highway and the Edo border post. Plus the view from the top station of the cable car was the best I had of Fujisan (Mt Fuji) while I was in Japan. It was a great place to spend Golden Week.
Sarge
I went there years ago. Very interesting sculptures outside. Avoid the Picasso House at all costs.
JohnBecker
I spent a nice afternoon in Hakone a few years ago. Walked a little bit of the Tokaido, pedaled myself ragged in one of those stupid swan boats, had a chuckle at the pirate ship, ate bad soba at a little noodle joint right in tourist central under the huge fake torii, checked out the checkpoint museum, and stood at the south end of ashi-no-ko marveling at the view of Mt. Fuji. That was a pretty good day. :-)
I can still check in on Fuji-san, from exactly the same viewpoint I had back then: http://www.hakone.or.jp/english/index.html Check out the Lake Ashi weather cam.
Sarge: why avoid the Picasso House?
LoveUSA
Bad advice, Sarge. Open your eyes for the real beauty.
def
I was amazed by the Open Air museum there, it's the best museum I've been to in Japan. Though there are Japanese artists, it is an international museum, and I was deleted to see Henry Moore sculptures with an exquisite natural backdrop.
A lot of people don't "get" Picasso; they have my sympathy.
Sarge
"why avoid the Picasso House?" ( at the Hakone Open Air Museum )
You must have never seen a Picasso painting. That's good!
"A lot of people don't "get" Picasso; they have my sympathy."
A lot of people know bad art when they see it. Some people don't know bad art when they see it. They have my sympathy.
Shaolin7
Looks like a cool place to check out! Sarge, just so you know Picasso's earlier work during his teens was more representational i.e. more 'recognizable' figure studies, portraits, etc. He was actually quite good.
Sarge
Shaolin7 - I've never seen a good piece of work from Picasso. I didn't see any at the Picasso House in Hakone. Maybe they've put one in there since I went.
altinokinawa
Would it be too cold to visit the Hakone Open Air Museum in December? I live in Okinawa and we are going to mainland.
Sarge
altinokinawa - Heck, no! Just buy some mittens and earmuffs and enjoy the Hakone Open Air Museum! Just avoid the Picasso House if you want to totally enjoy your visit!