Japan's largest open-air sculpture museum with works by Picasso, Rodin and Maillol in a natural park; admission 1.600 ¥.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum is one of the most original and spectacular museums in Japan: 70.000 m² of alpine landscape in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park turned into a permanent sculpture gallery with more than 120 monumental works by international sculptors such as Rodin, Maillol, Zadkine, Henry Moore and Picasso's Tower of Crystal, a 13-metre-tall vertical kaleidoscope. The museum was founded in 1969 and was the first open-air museum in the country. In addition to the sculptures spread across the park, there are five indoor galleries with works by Picasso, Maillol and contemporary Japanese artists. The foot onsen (ashiyu) included in the admission lets you relax with your feet in thermal water while contemplating the landscape. Admission costs 1.600 ¥ for adults and 800 ¥ for children; covered by the Hakone Free Pass. Hours: 9:00-17:00 all year round. The Chokoku-no-Mori station on the Hakone Tozan line is a one-minute walk from the museum.
