Lovely atmosphere. Nice place to enjoy the nature. When no clouds around Mount Fuji cam be clearly viewed. Lot of free parkings. Lot of restaurants around.

Cool place. Very calm and tranquil. Plenty of things to see all around the lake. Bring comfortable shoes! Theres some nice restaurants and cafes spotted all along the shore.

Serene place to spent a romantic evening. Parking place available all round lake. Does have peddle boat facility for around 1500yen. There is a toilet across the road. Good place to spent 2~3hr.

Beautiful place to visit (as is Hakone in general). Especially worth visiting for the packed Ashinoko Summer Festival which goes from July 31st to August 5th. Various performances, fireworks, torii burning on the lake and more. Hopefully the festival will be held as normal this year.

Arriving at the 5th lake of our Mt Fuji + 5 Lakes Helicopter Tour. After circling the mountain & its surrounding terrain, returning to Tokyo Heliport. We’ve been in the sky for 1 hour 15 minutes

Lake Ashi also referred to as Hakone Lake or Ashinoko Lake, is a scenic lake in the Hakone area of Kanagawa Prefecture in Honshū, Japan. It is a crater lake that lies along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mount Hakone, a complex volcano that last erupted in 1170 CE at Ōwakudani. The lake is known for its views of Mount Fuji, its numerous hot springs, historical sites, and ryokan. The lake is located on the Tōkaidō road, the main link between Kyoto and Tokyo.

We took the short boat ride from one side of the lake to the other and It was an experience like no other. I haven't see a lake to beautiful until now. There is a need to preserve these natural wonders as they serve to refresh the human mind. It cleanses the soul for even a moment. Although I did not see Fuji-san, I was able to take some pretty swell pics of the shore-side torii.

A beautiful lake and lovely for a stroll with plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby to suit all tastebuds

Beautiful and peaceful view of the Lake Ashi. It was a breezy and sunny day to enjoy.

An incredibly picturesque and beautiful place to visit and immerse yourself in. The amount of green around you is unreal!

Lake ashi is absolutely beautiful! We arrived to togendai after a short bus ride from our hotel. There at the base, lake ashi had the lovely pirate ships coming back into port. Shout out to the Evangelion characters everywhere & the cool human sized figure in the station! Definitely a fan favorite, fun fact the anime is set in Hakone and lake ashi & Owakudani appear in the series 👏🏼 After a short walk enjoying the water front we caught the Hakone Ropeway for a scenic ride up the mountain side, it was Picturesque to say the least. As we got higher in elevation we could see Mt. Fuji with it's donut cloud hats lol As well as plumes of white smoke emerging and bursting out from the area up ahead. When you arrive at the top of Owakudani if your an egg fan you must try the "Kuro-Tamago" as called by locals, aka black eggs or sulfur eggs. There's a legend about life expectancy around them. Check out my review of Owakudani for more! Of follow me on IG @ loverboy_lb420 ty!

Lake Ashi in Japan is a tranquil and picturesque destination. The serene waters, surrounded by lush greenery and with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, create a stunning natural setting. Whether you're taking a boat cruise or enjoying a lakeside walk, it offers a peaceful escape.

You get a really nice view of Mt Fuji from here on a clear day. We were super lucky to have visited during a clear day and couldn't stop looking at the majestic view of Mt Fuji!

Hakone Ashi Lake is also known for its stunning autumn foliage, which transforms the entire area into a vibrant palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. The scene is nothing short of breathtaking and truly makes for a photographer's paradise. You can enjoy by having boat ride and walk around the lake

Stunning views of Mt. Fuji from Hakone's Ashinoko Lake. Serene, beautiful, and a must-visit for nature lovers.

It’s amazing and beautiful. In the evening it becomes cool and the breeze is super cool….. I wanted to stay there but I had to return….

Beautiful, the pirate ship boat will give you a nice scenic ride through out the whole lake from which you'll be able to spot the shrines and some of the must see places. Don't miss it out!

Definitely a must see in the autumn. The beautiful fall colors really make this museum magical. I’m additional to the grounds and various statues and exhibits, there is also a Picasso exhibit. We waited in line for 15-20 minutes in the morning on a weekend, which is not too bad. If you can buy tickets in advance, go for it, but still worth the wait. The grounds are spacious, so we did not feel crowded although it was pretty busy. Love the art!

A really nice place to visit while you're in Hakone. There are a lot of interesting pieces of art and we enjoyed walking around on our last morning in the area. I wouldn't say to go out of your way to visit here, but if you have time and you're nearby, it's worth it. The Picasso gallery was very interesting, I was surprised to see that they had so many original pieces in such a remote museum in Japan. There are quite a few interactive sections for kids. And there is a lot of English.

Place is vast. We went during August, so it's summer. It was very hot so we have to go around the place quickly. Here you can see different arts and architecture coming from various artist from different parts of the world. They also showcase some of Picasso's best work together with brief stories about it. Nice place to visit if you love art, but the place itself has a nice ambience and a good place to just relax and enjoy the view.

Really enjoyable, especially if you have a nice weather day. It was extremely windy today but sunny so it was manageable. It’s a beautiful space and the art is interesting. It reminds me of Louisiana Art Museum in Denmark with a less-impressive indoor collection (Hakone’s) although they have a Picasso ceramic exhibit which was cool to see. I’d love to have had coffee/a snack here but it just wasn’t the day for us for that. If you’re in the area it’s worth it to come here. I don’t know if I’d take a special trip just for this place but to each ‘er own. The architecture is awesome, too. I was kinda sad that adults aren’t allowed to play in the net installation.

Great place, totally worth the ticket price. I genuinely didn't expect it to be so good. Adults loved it and so did kids. Spent about 90 minutes there but you could spend longer. The views are also incredible. Free stroller rental for kids too. Didn't use the cafe. Would go back again. Defo recommend.

Great exhibition of different artists that fits perfectly into the landscape. Very varied and entertaining. Many exhibits can be experienced directly, they may be touched or walked through. Especially suitable for children of all ages. At different times of the year you get different impressions.

This museum for me is beautiful! It's a mixture of art appreciation and relaxation. They have a museum for some of Picasso's work . The kids have areas to have fun too! They have a maze, an activity area and craft area. There were families with small children when we visited. And after a long walk around the meandering green, one can relax at a foot bath beside the cafe.

Very unique museum that's expansive and beautiful to walk through, with special exhibit as well like the Picasso museum. Went on a weekend and the weather was beautiful. We were able to buy tickets day of, and there are coin lockers available to store backpacks. We stayed for a few hours as we looked around at a leisurely pace.

Among my favourite museums, wish all museums were open air concepts, refreshing and not stuffy that way. Surrounding mountains were a nice touch, can’t imagine those were easy to install. Even in the winter, the yellowing grass contrasted well with all the exhibits, will absolutely be coming back again soon. Favourite piece was the metallic wedge of charred humans limbs; very heavy metal. And in contrast to that absolute darkness, my second favourite was the light bending glass tower that to my surprise, was decorated in pictures almost hidden if you don’t look carefully enough. I made it to the top but my battery died, so no picture but I will return in the spring and bring either a phone charger or a briefcase full of batteries to avoid the humiliation I faced carrying around a dead phone.

I visited at the end of February and was lucky enough to witness some snow on the ground. It definitely had a magical feeling and I enjoyed most of the artwork on display. The indoor exhibits were a bit crowded but I guess that can't be helped! The gift shop had a nice range of souvenirs and knick knacks.

My family had fun! It's a place where visitors of all ages can enjoy! Art and nature combined, plus facilities where kids can play, there's something for any family member to experience.

This is a stunning art museum with many interesting and aesthetically pleasing art installations. There are many large-scale art design projects nearby, and inside the museum, there is a Picasso art museum for enthusiasts to visit. The indoor design of the spiral tower is particularly impressive and not to be missed. This is definitely a must-visit art museum.

The reason this place is really nice is because you can take your kids to museum but you don't have to be too worried about making them quiet. As long as it's a nice weather, you can basically spend the whole day slowly walking around, and let your kids run around. All the sculptures and the art is also dynamic and is in harmony with the nature. You cannot get proper food there as there's only hot dog that can be counted as food. He brought small sandwiches for our kids.

It’s a sculpture museum featuring lots of open space and interactive pieces. There are several facilities designed for children, and many visitors, mostly Japanese people, take their children with them. It’s a nice refreshing stop that can add some fresh air into your trip. I recommend paying attention to the weather forecast as the region is very prone to fog and rain.

It was an absolute delight exploring the vast collection of outdoor sculptures and the captivating works of Pablo Picasso. 🏞️💫 The museum's picturesque setting amidst the stunning Hakone mountains created a serene atmosphere that perfectly complemented the art on display. From the moment we stepped foot into the museum, we were greeted by a world of beauty and creativity. The open-air concept allowed us to appreciate the sculptures in their natural surroundings, and it felt like walking through an artistic wonderland. 🌿🗿 The Picasso Pavilion was a true highlight of our visit. We were mesmerized by the diverse range of Picasso's masterpieces, showcasing his innovative and ever-evolving style. The museum did an excellent job of curating the exhibition, providing insight into the artist's life and artistic journey. It was fascinating to see iconic paintings, ceramics, and sculptures up close, and to witness the depth of Picasso's creativity. 🎭🖌️ What made the experience even more enjoyable was the museum's interactive features. We were able to participate in various art installations and even create our own masterpieces at the workshop. 🎨 The knowledgeable staff were friendly and provided valuable information about the artworks, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of Picasso's genius.

There’s a nice area for kids only (see second photo) but that’s about it for kids. The sculptures are dotted around the compound. It is a nice walk if the weather is good. Perhaps budget 90mins if you wish to do it at a leisurely pace. I was not that impressed by the Picasso exhibit. Adult ticket costs 1600yen.

It’s a sculpture museum featuring lots of open space in a beautiful location that surrounds mountains. superbly maintained landscaped gardens, walkways and well-curated pieces. They have some of Picasso's work. The kids below 12 have areas to have fun too. A brief visit will definitely take a couple of hours. Keep in mind the weather before planning to visit.

Hakone Open air museum No need to get your tickets in advance for this museum. You can get your tickets at the entrance and even if there is a q it moves pretty fast. More than anything this place is worth visiting as it is a the space is so beautifully designed that it is easy to walk around and gives the impression of vastness. There space is big yet cleverly integrates art with nature so that even though there are loads of statues and structures, you never feel stifled or overwhelmed. In fact you will want to walk a lot more to take in all of them. There are loads of outdoor sculptures by various artists and some are rather interesting. Although i think the word art might be a bit stretched here on occasions when you look at the sculptures or when you read the inspiration of these artists behind their work. Loads of outdoor exhibits and in general 2 big spaces that allow for more interaction. One is the Woods of Net which has a net structure within a wooden dome structure that allows for children to use it as a sort of net playground that they can climb on and swing on. The other is a flower petal like maze that you can walk in and try to find your way out, albeit confusing i must say. In the end i walked the same way back out the way i entered instead of finding the other exit. As for indoor exhibits, there are 3 (Hakone master piece collection, multi hall that is at the exit, and Picasso Pavilion). I think the one that people generally spend the most time, is at the Picasso Pavillion. Interestingly instead of chronologically displaying his works or capturing it according to his life: “This latest exhibit deconstructs the artist himself, presenting perspectives from different angles, such as subject matter and technique, and different points in time, by date of the artwork, so that the viewer may then reconstruct their image of Picasso. For this exhibit, works from the Picasso Collection have been divided into 17 themes, creating a free and natural exhibition space unbound by chronology. The Picasso of this exhibit is one who defies definition by a single perspective or specific point in time—Picasso as a continuum transcending time and space.” The one i enjoyed the most was the symphonic structure. There a circular tower captures the four seasons through stained glass that leads you to an open air space on top with a great view of the museum and the trees and mountains beyond.

Absolutely wonderful! Majestic location in the mountains, with an amazing setting of beautifully landscaped gardens, walkways, forest paths, and well-curated pieces of world-renowned artists and sculptors. The mood is serene and calming, and the experience is one of awe and beauty. My family and I spent a few hours, before it closed for the day, and there was still a good bit of exhibition to which we did not get. But, it was a delightful experience, and we will return.

It was worth a visit. It’s a huge area. We spent a little over an hour here. Lots of sculptures. Our favorite was the stained glass tower. It’s tall, beautiful and very instagram worthy. This open air museum is great for the whole family. There is even an interesting playground structure for kids only. There’s also building with Picasso’s work in it but they don’t allow any photographs or video.

We had an incredible time at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. We went on a weekend and there was no waiting at all. The museum is spread out and gives you a lot of space to wonder around. The art pieces are really cool and vary across the site, the Picasso Pavilion was pretty cool as well and the tower with glass cover was incredible to see and experience.

Black eggs! This oozing, green scar was caused by an eruption thousands of years ago and then there was a horrible mud slide that killed many people 100 years ago. Now they are working really hard to terrace the place. It truly feels like another planet and it smells like hell. I recall a time when you could walk out further to see where they cook the eggs but it’s all blocked off now. I suppose there may have been people who got sick from the noxious gas. I wish more areas were accessible for exploration. Still, I understand that is probably not safe. The ropeway is a great experience especially on a sunny day. We were lucky to catch it at a nice time in February. Looking forward to visiting again whenever we have a chance. Thanks for all the delicious hard boiled eggs over the years 🙏🎉😄

Beautiful view! Strong smell. Special experience. The guided tour into the volcano area is very limited access and has to be reserved several days in advance, which is quite inconvenient. The black egg is interesting and tasty.

In the Owakudani area near the Hakone volcano there are places where hot smoke comes out of the ground (it's not a geyser) the smell of sulfur which scorches the ground in a yellow color. View of Lake Ashinoko and Mount Fujiyama in Japan. It is amazing, don't miss the cable car ride, boating on the lake and visiting the open museum. It is said that the Japanese cook eggs in the hot springs which gives them a black color. A belief holds that eating one egg adds 7 years to life. The place also has a restaurant and sells ice cream, which is also black in color.

Beautiful place to visit. The peak is about 1044 meter high and you can see the inactive volcanoes and smokes coming out from the volcano. However the smoke is very stingy because of its sulphuric property. You have to take a Cable car in order to get to the top. One of the most famous food is Black Egg or 黒卵. The rumor about the black egg is that if you have one black egg then your life expectancy will increase to extra 7 years. Its really very interesting rumor that almost 95% tourists buy Black eggs. Really must visit once.

Easy to find, lovely atmosphere (not counting the dreadful smell of sulphur of course😆) . The ride on the gondola was nice and provided a lovely view on approaching the lake. The weather tho obscured Mt. Fuji ☹️ I liked that I could buy a one way or return ticket and use it anytime throughout the day. I do think that ¥2250 (return) is a rather pricey ride tho but I guess it's a tourist attraction. I didn't like that the minimum number of eggs I could purchase was 5 - felt like a waste of resources since I couldn't eat that many and 3 ended up in the trash. All round nice experience - I recommend it.

Beautiful place. Went there when it was cloudy, wind was really strong and you could see the clouds pass through. It's a pretty cool experience. I do wonder if mount Fuji is visible from this area or not.

This place looks so great especially while you're inside the ropeway where you can actually see the smokes coming from the mountains on a great angle. Once you go down, you'll see shops selling souvenirs and some black egg that they believe will add more years to your life if you eat it. We decided not to stay too long due to the sulfur smell coming from the smokes. It is a place with a breath taking view that's why it's a must visit site when you go to Hakone.

Beautiful place, access through ropeway recommended, or by car. Enjoy the view, the volcanic mountain, Fuji-san and have your meal here with the legendary black egg. Must visit. Smell of sulphur to be expected as usual, not so strong with the wind.

This place is so beautiful, really wish we would have done a little bit more research on things to do especially that you can walk to the area where the eggs are boiled. However, even without doing all this we still wouldn’t have had time to do anything else given that the ropeway closes relatively early. Definitely worth checking out though.

Fantastic experience! You can see the sulfur escaping the ground from the last eruption in 2015. The black eggs are supposed to extend your life by 7 years. And they have all kinds of food to try!

There's nothing really to see here, it's cool to see the geothermal activity but it's not exactly pretty and the views are mediocre at best. The cable car was awesome though.

Not to be missed if you are in Hakone. You get to smell the sulfur and experience the black eggs and ice cream. Great experience! Highly recommend to book a tour in advance if you are looking for further exploration of the place.

Potentially the single best reason to purchase a Hakone transportation pass. This mountain top has some incredible views of Mt. Fuji and the mine on the back side. It’s accessible by cable car system, and serves a black egg that apparently extends your life - which I had no interest in trying.

Impressive spot!! Must go there while u are in hakone. Part of the ropeway was under maintenance when we visited, so we laid 2500 yen round trip per person but only took a short ride. Sky was clear, could see the huge Fuji!

Good place to visit. Bit expensive for cable car like round trip for 2.5 TJPY but still nice place to go. As Pic attached, you can also see the view of Fuji Mountain. In the shop here you can buy black egg and some souvenirs. Not recommend to buy black egg dumpling bread which tastes ... umm bread itself is really dry and rather propose to buy just black tamago

2023 September 4★ A nice station that's like the central hub of Hakone. Outside, there are numerous restaurants and other vendors. At this station, there's the cable car and the train. Though the train itself is pretty slow as it maneuvers through the hillside. It also does something interesting where it stops, reverses and takes another split line. Very interesting indeed. Otherwise you'll find that overall a pleasant ride.

this is a small station in Hakone.... u can take rest here, and visit the park, garden, and have meal....

This place is a station for cable car to the top of Hakone! You change car here! There are small cafe and kind staff! Enjoy!

Main station to change to the cable car. Nice little town.

You came here to transfer from train to rail, where you can enjoy the views while on the ride. The staff here are also very friendly.

Originally established in the year 757, the Nine-Headed-Dragon Shrine [Kuzuryu-jinja] reveres a nine-headed dragon. According to ancient legend, the dragon who lived at the bottom of Lake Ashi demanded a human sacrifice from the local villagers. A monk named Mangan Jyonin saved the villagers by subduing the dragon causing it to renounce its evil ways. The dragon became revered as a dragon king, and these days, a festival is held every year on July 31st to celebrate the nine-headed dragon king.

This Shrine is located within Hakone Shrine. As always, stairs to the top!

9 headed dragon

beautiful scenery, nice little shrine. not known to the masses

Gorgeous at sunset

I am glad that I could go Kuzuryu jinja!

good

This was such a amazing museum. There are both Japanese and English explanations, but not for all pieces. Still, it was very informative and outright stunning. There was practically no wait to get in. But if you don't like the wait, be sure to buy tickets online (you'll also get a discount). Definitely a must-see if you're visiting Hakone!

My favourite museum I’ve visited in Japan. So unexpected and the pictures don’t even begin to scratch the surface of how beautiful this place is. The restaurant inside was also 5 stars, a perfect spot for our anniversary overlooking the sparkling garden.

A nice, elegant, beautiful museum. If you like shiny objects and glitters, you will love this place in Hakone. There is also a restaurant inside, but it was very crowded. I enjoyed window shopping the great variety of objects on display. There was also a bell for lovers so I think this is a nice place to bring a date, specially if you are both young.

It is hard to capture the shunning lights by a camera but it is really amazing while you see the scene by your own eyes. A place for lunch or some food while visiting the area. Bus access is very convenient. You can also spend times seeing the exhibits indoors.

Such a nice museum. We went there when it was raining, and it made the museum more mystical. You can see so many glass collections and art, and of course you can also buy it on souvenir shop. They also have classes to make your own glass art. One unique thing, they have a store selling jams! But one thing to be prepared, there is no train heading to this museum, either you take your own vehicle or you take the bus. Which can be nauseating since it has so many winding roads. For people who easily get carsick, be mentally prepared. Also, if you're a student, you will get student price to enter this museum. I say that's really great deal. Just tell them you're a student and show your student ID.

A little expensive, but the overall museum is beautifully made. We arrived just in time for a violin concert and that was wonderful.

Tourist trap. Better described as the Impractical Drinking Vessel Museum. You pay 1800¥ to enter what felt like a shop. So, I'd say it's not worth going unless you have a real love for all things venetian glass or have nothing else to do and a pass that lets you get in for free. A point of redemption was that the grounds were pretty nice and well kept, and there was a lovely place to sit and watch the creek and trees.

Went there on a weekday. Admission fee is 1800 yen per adult. Parking is 300 yen. Good for a short visit if you have some time to spend around the area, but I wouldn't recommend going out of the way to visit it. It was quite quiet when we were there. The place was quite small, so we completed our round within an hour. The experience workshops require prior reservations, so we didn't try those. Overall, a nice place for some photo taking~

This is Japan’s first art museum specializing in Venetian glass, and exhibits works from the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries and also modern pieces. The pond on the grounds is in between the Venetian Glass Museum and the Modern Glass Museum where you can appreciate delicate glass crafts at each respective museum. Its medieval Venice-inspired garden also has spots where you can take photos. Listen carefully to the live canzone (Italian song) performances held every day while gazing at the scenery from the café restaurant on the grounds and you’re sure to find yourself feeling elegant. They also hold glasswork workshops, making this a spot you can enjoy all day long.

Beautiful and surreal place. Best to visit on a nice sunny day where the glass sculptures glisten in the sunlight The tea time desserts are great too!

The place was huge with great varieties of glass displays coming from different eras. We came a little late in the afternoon and was able to check the place for an hour although we're not able to see the glass-making shows.

We had an absolutely incredible time here! So creative and delicate with a phenomenal kitchen. Highly recommended experience. A real testimony to the creative spirit and the art of glass making.

Beautiful place! I suggest you visit this place during a sunny afternoon, when the glass beads shine the brightest! It is also pretty at night, but I found the afternoon option do be more beautiful. It IS a museum and has tons of glass artifacts (I am no glass enthusiast, so I didn’t find it any more interesting). However, the artifacts were very unique and pretty. There’s also a shop, which is quite expensive, considering a glass bracelet for around $500! Overall, a great place to go in Hakone!

A great museum to visit. There were lots of unique glass artwork to see. The Hakone free pass also gives you 100 yen off admission. They claim there are free coin lockers but it actually costs 100 yen.

Very pretty place for photos and see the glassworks. Not super impressive and it is a little pricey compared to the rest of the attractions. I preferred my time at the open air museum for my money's worth instead. Some pieces were pretty, some normal, and pretty much a quarter of the time spent at the gift shop to shop for glass and crystals works.

The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, or Glass Forest, is a captivating haven for art enthusiasts and admirers of exquisite craftsmanship. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Hakone, this museum stands as a testament to the timeless beauty of Venetian glass artistry. The collection, housed within a modern architectural gem, encompasses a diverse array of delicate glass sculptures, intricate glassware, and vibrant artworks. What sets Glass Forest apart is its dedication to showcasing the rich tradition of Venetian glassmaking, with pieces reflecting both classical elegance and contemporary innovation. The museum's interior, bathed in natural light, creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, allowing each glass creation to sparkle and come to life. The outdoor spaces, adorned with thoughtfully placed glass installations, extend the museum experience into the lush surroundings. The meticulously curated garden becomes a canvas for the interplay of light and color, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Visitors often praise the informative exhibits, shedding light on the history and techniques of Venetian glass artistry. Additionally, the museum shop provides an opportunity to take home a piece of the enchantment, featuring carefully crafted glassware and souvenirs. In conclusion, the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum is a symphony of art and nature, offering a sensory journey through the mesmerizing world of Venetian glass. From delicate masterpieces to the enchanting outdoor garden, it is a destination that leaves a lasting impression on those seeking a harmonious blend of culture and aesthetics.

A great place, highly recommended. Landscape is amazing with high mountains background. Glass art is amazing. Live music played inside the museum.

Like all museums in japan, this one is also very beautiful with lots informations. You can get lots of informations about glasses from venetian. The garden is very beautiful, and I would reccomended to go there in the evening, for more lights and beautiful installations around. U can buy lots of souvenirs at the shop located inside the museum. I would say at least spent 2 hours here for full experience. And they offer free lockers

Awesome museum at the heart of the forest! Elegant main building surrounded by the park for enjoying nature. Collection is excellent. Especially some of Japanese masterpieces! There is a small cafe in the main building with good coffee and sweets. Recommend!

The local transportation system is well connected to getting there is no problem. An interesting building that is a pleasure to walk through and feel. The permanent collection is impressive. The special exhibition was thoughtful and pulled from a variety of genres to make its point. The outdoor walk was lovely and quiet.

A nice blend of art (including some top-tier names) and nature - with some nice forest walking trails available around the museum area.

A great surprise while we were visiting the Hakone area. The museum is not huge but is not too small either, and the exhibitions were thoughtfully laid out and explained. The museum building is amazing and it integrates with the forest in a beautiful way. A great option to visit if you're in the area

The collection of Impressionist artworks housed within this private museum is truly commendable. The sheer volume and quality of these art pieces exemplify the museum's dedication to preserving and showcasing this significant artistic movement.

Beautifully designed museum nestled in the forest with a surprisingly spectacular gallery of art pieces including surrealist and impressionist classics. We visited during a particularly rainy, windy day and was impressed by the receptionist, who helped us book a taxi back to our hotel (we would not have been able to return given the storm outside).

One of the most amazing museums I’ve ever been to. The building is an experience in itself and it’s surrounded by a beautiful nature path. Getting there is very easy but leaving not so much. I hope I’m able to go back at least once in my life.

Amazing place. The POLA Museum of Art is a little out of the way, but can be reached easily enough by public bus from Gora station. There is a bus you can catch down the road from the Hakone Open Air Sculpture Museum. It's a good combination of doing these two things together in one day. The POLA Museum has artworks from Monet, Gaughan, Van Gogh, Matisse, Cezanne and plenty of other masters. There is a lovely cafe that makes good strong coffee. You can also get tea and cake. The cafe looks out over some lovely forested areas. It may not be known or be as famous as the large art museums, but it is a treasure. Invest some time and go see this calming but also inspiring place.

Lovely exhibit in a sleek, introspective building. A bit abstract for our tastes, but that's irrelevant. We particularly enjoyed the forest walk, which features an extensive network of concealed speakers projecting soothing music as you walk through the trees.

I couldn’t believe how many famous and beautiful paintings there were here. I was so impressed with the quality and beauty of the building as well. It was surrounded by nature and relatively not crowded on the inside as well. I would love to go back again. What a hidden gem.

One of my favorite art museum! Recommend for anyone who interested in Impressionist art era. You will see a lot of beautiful and vivid paintings from all around the world. Also i love the architecture there as well.

Wonderful museum with great impressionist art collection and high-quality temporary exhibitions. The most recent one on contemporary Japanese painting was especially worth a visit.

Beautiful building with a small collection of impressionist paintings. We really enjoyed the special exhibition on Art Deco in France in the 1920s, and the outdoor trail too :) Worth a visit if you’re in the area, have some time to spare, and are looking for a relaxing 1-2h with some impressive art.

Pola Museum of Art ポーラ美術館 is very expensive for what they offer. It is a small museum and there were almost no art pieces outdoors. It was a let down. Go to the Hakone open-air museum instead. ¥500 Parking ¥1800 Entrance fee

One of the best art museums i ever visited in Japan. Beautiful location, nice art works and trail was very nice. I would definitely recommend visiting here if you are in Hakone area.

Lovely collections and landscapes. Worth a visit. If you can visit only 2, this is one of them. 1800 for the entrance fee and 500 for the parking. Well worth it.

Superb museum (and that is not trivial give the many excellent museums Japan has on offer) — well curated exhibits that span the range of art history. Also has a nice outdoor walk. A bit out of the way (and thus peaceful and quiet) but there is a direct bus from Gora station.

An enjoyable space and time to spend at. Great architecture the museum itself.

We went here with two families of 4. Kids age range 5-10. We thoroughly enjoyed the place. There are activities that kids can do at the Craft House. They enjoyed glass making as well as making their own bread jewelry. There's a cafe in the location for a quick lunch. At the Craft House there's a shop where you can purchase various items, including various tea/coffee mug with unique designs; I purchased one for a present. We explored the atrium and attend the tea ceremony, We walked through the different paths you are encouraged to take by sheer curiosity in "where does this path lead"? There's also a gift shop located by the lower level exit. There are no in/out privileges, so once you are in, you can't leave and come back in without paying the entrance fee again.

We had a relaxing walk through the gardens and enjoyed admiring the beautiful flowers and nature around us -- definitely a park worth visiting if the flowers are in bloom and if you have 1.5-2hrs in Hakone.

Visitors are greeted by a vast garden teeming with cherry blossom trees and an array of lush plants. Wander through the garden pathways to discover a pottery making area. The tranquil atmosphere invites visitors to observe the pottery making process while enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings. Amidst the serene setting, the delicate cherry blossoms add a touch of elegance to the experience, creating a picturesque backdrop for exploration.

Love this place and especially fountain was amazing. Whole park is good and neatly maintained

Lovey small garden, especially during autumn with the seasonal foliage. Entrance is free with the Hakone pass. They have several craft shops and cafes.

About a 10 - 20 minute uphill walk from Gora station. The admission ticket is covered by Hakone free pass and last admission is before 4:30PM. Very lovely garden with fragrant flowers

Well managed garden park! If you have Hakone Free Pass, the entry ticket is free. Nice place to walk around and there were so many different plants to look at.

This park is awesome. It was a rainy day in Hakone, but we went anyway. Was not disappointed. Cheap reasonable price to get in. Plenty of green houses with an awesome variety of plants to see. Gotta keep your eyes open because there's neat plants tucked everywhere. The grounds were beautiful. Paths all around. A mix between beautiful natural mountain stone and more modern accommodating ways. The tea house with ceremony was like it's own little park. The experience was nice and came with a nice little personal tour of all the houses and bath. I would highly recommend attending this park. We went in March, so not as much going on outdoors but, I can only imagine how beautiful it is in bloom with it's extensive rose gardens and wide variety of other native fauna. We did not do any experiences, but the craft house is neat. Plenty of beautiful art pieces to purchase and we couldn't help but do so. The experiences looked fun and well set up. Kinda feel like we missed out but that was our decision. Keep note of the timing to receive your works, all clearly labeled. Most are day of, but some like ceramics and glass take time for proper completion.

Very charming and pretty gardens with greenhouses and optional pottery and glassblowing activities available set on a fairly steep hillside.

Free entrance with the Hakone freepass, and it's definitely worth your while. It's so picturesque and lovely. There's a lot to see, from a greenhouse to a teahouse, from rose garden to water fountain. And they have ice cream, a fancy looking cafe and a couple of shops.

Love this park at the top of Gora! It’s a little pricey, at 550 per person, but a very relaxing experience. Best in seasons but good all year round! Worth the walk to the top of the village!

This place is absolutely beautiful! The park was clean and the varieties of flora and fauna was amazing! They even had a dedicated Christmas section which was beautiful and smell amazing! Had a mini tea tasting ceremony within the park as well (you can opt for the combine ticket at the counter).

A relaxing place to learn up some handy crafts,like making glassware, pottery, key chain, chain etc. Primary reason for the visit. As for the park, it is nicely kept, but was super quiet during winter and not much to see in the park at rhis time while strolling around. Perhaps it is not the best time to visit during winter. Even the coffee outlets were closed during my visit.

If you love plants, this is a must-see attraction in Hakone. We were very impressed by the greenhouse and the care that went into each area, even during winter. There was even a Christmas-themed tunnel which was the star of the show. You can also enjoy a brief tea ceremony if you buy the discount package at 1100 yen, it was a great addition.

One of the most worth it attractions. The park was filled with endless activities and we spent a good 2 hours here enjoying the cafe and the different exhibits. If you are here in Gora, this is a place u should not miss!

You need to buy tickets to enter the park. It cost ¥550. It opens at 9.30am to 4.30pm. Inside the park got cafe, craft shop where you can made or buy key chains, earings etc. They also got lesson for gass blowing craft, pottery craft. There is a central fountain, tea house and nice garden.

It was our last day in Hakone and we chose to visit the Gora Park gardens. We were pleasantly surprised with the huge variety of plants, flowers, and interesting walking paths. I was even a cafe where you can grab coffee or a drink along with a various selection of cakes. Thankfully on the south entrance there is bag lockers where you can quickly store your belongings to enjoy a hands-free walk of the gardens. We were also surprised to find a huge greenhouse area which housed botanical tropical plants. Ranging from ferns, bromeliads, Venus fly traps and even pineapples. There was also an amazing display roses in every color and variety you could imagine. There is also a big engraved stone which explained about the original man who created this garden back in approximately 1910 and how when it was created there was no people living in the area where the garden is situated. It was a very remote and uninhabited location in hokone and when they started construction the whole area was just barren rocks. It was a wonderful way to finish our holiday in Hakone.

This place looks so romantic for me, with all the trees and flowers that were all placed nicely and the landscape gives me such a feeling of peace. When we came to the place, we went first to the souvenir store near the entrance and bought some stuff. They have lots of cute and unique products that you can buy as souvenirs. It was summer when we came here, so the wisteria which I really wanted to see was not in bloom. We might come back here during the spring to see the place in a different picture.

I forgot the story of Little Princes, but I enjoyed very much. The flower garden ,the French buildings and the princes goods are very good. The Xmas illumination is wonderful!! I recommend to visit when you visit Hakone before the museum close!

so exciting and interesting museum for those who like this book translated in many languages

I was lucky to visit here before they close this place down. Waiting line was not that long despite visited on Saturday. The place is really nice with European village style. Best to visit on a sunny day.

If you are a fan of Little Prince you will definitely like this place. I was not a fan but yet I was quite entertained by the museum. The exhibits were so well made and exquisite. Love the details and secrets they left along the way for visitors to uncover. The only problem was this place was pretty out of the way.

When I saw the notice that this museum is about to be permanently closed, I always tried to find time to go here but sadly I just had time a few days ago. It is a very beautiful museum, the buildings which made me feel like I was in France, the exhibition where they shows the rooms of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry from his childhood to adulthood. It has English explanation so foreigners should be able to understand the stories as well. The stamp collections.. The restaurant, although we didn't try it since all the food were sold out quickly. If you show your student ID, you'd get student price as well. I think tomorrow will be the last day. I just want to say that I had a really good time in this museum. Although the traveling was a bit nauseating, it was all gone by the time I entered this museum. Thank you to all the staffs and a very beautiful museum. Wishing you all the best.

If you are a fan of the Little Prince, this is the museum you should visit. The gardens, buildings, and exhibits well express the world together and made me want to read the book again. My one-year-old daughter was also happy to be able to freely walk around in the beautiful garden. She got a bit scared though with some dim areas in the exhibition buildings. Even the information pamphlet is so cute. The menu at the café was also designed with the Little Prince theme, and I highly recommend this museum.

One of the best little museums I’ve ever been to, and charming to boot. I’m a fan of the book and it was amazing getting to see the characters come to life in this little treasure up in the mountains. It is difficult to get up to the location but if you’re willing to pay for the train and bus service to get there it’s worth it! The interiors were unbelievable, and it’s clear they had a lot of passion in building this museum. We were not allowed to take photos inside but we managed to get some outside and inside the museum. The only museum of its kind for the author so if you’re a fan of the little prince, this is a must!

Amazing museum! I wasn’t even super into Little Prince but I found it very fascinating and it increased my appreciation. Such a random find in the middle of this hot springs town but amazingly well put together and detailed. Worth a visit when in Hakone!

Many Japanese people feel affectionate and nostalgic about anything French, and this museum is one of those places that capitalizes on such a longing. The museum is not much about the little prince, but about the life of the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The explanations next to the photos are in Japanese. But one can scan a QR code and read the translation in other languages. The architecture and decorations were nice, but still does not justify the overpriced 1600 yen ticket price.

Great spot of historical significance from the Edo area. The exhibit is very well displayed and has English translation. The staff are very kind and will help you, even if you can’t speak much English. The views in and around the gate are fantastic and you can really feel the history. A must see for anyone interested in Japanese history.

It’s a nice place to learn the historical importance of the checkpoint in hakone. There should be a great view of lake ashi and mt Fuji but when I came here it was fogging and I can’t see anything. I still really like walking through the museums and exhibits.

Great impression of a Japanese feudal border checkpoint, with all the bits and pieces attached. We only quickly walked through while walking from ferry to ferry point, but it was a very welcoming historic feel experience. The day we were there you didn't have to pay any ticket. I guess it was still closed.

Interesting historical reconstruction. Toilets available. Deducted one star because you have to pay separately for parking and entering the museum, and there are no interactive elements. But if you're interested in history, don't skip it!

It is a checkpoint during the Tokugawa shogun era. The rebuilt check point was rather simple but I think they had tried their very best to make it more interesting. The entrance ticket included an entrance for the museum too. The plus point of this spot is their uphill scout point. You can see Lake Ashi superb view from there after you climb up the 70 staircase!

Beautiful place, you can enjoy the rebuild old custom. Tickets are included two opened museums and one documentary museum, which is not allowed taking photos:3

Lakeside area with views of Mt Fuji, many boat trips available to cruise lake to get different view of Fuji. Also jumping off point for a couple of cable car rides up to the surrounding hills. Lake side area very pretty, many lakeside hotels.

It’s not only good at architecture but also the view of landscape. After taking some steps, traveler can have a great view of mountain Fuji. Highly recommend.

We went here due to bad weather and we were pleased we did. There is a lovely French cafe which is worth visiting. The museum is well laid out and it is a lovely collection of Laliques work.

This museum has one of the best collections of Rene Lalique's glassware outside of Portugal's Gulbenkian. The exhibits are well organized in a time series covering Lalique's evolution from handcrafted artisanal work into his glassware factory, with broad representative samples of each era. While it lacks some of the impact of Gulbenkian's Art Deco depth, it is a much more educational and formal curation of Lalique's work. Unfortunately all of the text is in Japanese only. The museum curator was kind enough to waive the "no cell phones" policy though to permit the use of Google Lens' translation software when asked.

This museum is a true gem dedicated to the life and works of Lalique, father of modern design and a marvellous artist. Great collection and compact size, can be visited in an hour. Highly recommended if you are in Hakone.

Closed on third Thursdays of the month when the google listing they manage says they are open. Staff informed, and didn’t care. Take care you don’t waste hours coming here to visit a closed museum.

It is a must! They have a huge collection of 1,500 pieces crafted by R. Lalique! They are beautiful!!! The atmosphere there is peaceful. No pictures allowed and we bought their book. Their restaurant serves very good European food (excellent beef) that locals go specially for having lunch.

Nice museum with designed display. The works are decoration materials done by glass, brass, also the creative women's accessories. Don't allowed to photography. The place outside are nice.

very very nice museum with decorative works from Lalique. Good to know him from here

Great art pieces. If you want to know more about Lalique History, you may come to visit and have a walk. Entrance fee is around ¥1,200 which takes you around 30mins walk. However, if you want to take a detail look, it may take you more than an hour.

Cake and tea set experience (2200¥) in Le Train was great.

The gardens are beautiful and the tea room very nice. Id suggest stopping by if you have some free time, but wouldnt suggest going out of your way to see it. The museum itself is small and has some very interesting pottery pieces but definitely not a must see, especially with Gora Park nearby. Still happy we went though.

The gardens are extraordinary. Large rocks, a cascading stream, moss lawns tended carefully by hand. Shrubs and trees arranged into a delightful scene. The tea house is a serene place to view the gardens while enjoying refreshment. The museum is 5 large rooms over 2 floors, mostly displaying pottery dating back hundreds of years. No context, explanation, or 'all singing and dancing' multimedia like people want these days, but interesting and often beautiful objects worth seeing. There is a smaller museum hosting more pottery and some historical information about the founder of the museum.

Beautiful view from the museum on the mountains. Really nice garden. Very average museum itself. You should visit if you have some free time, but I wouldn’t suggest going out of your way to see it.

Small but lovely place. Owner is a talented photographer with big landscape photography experience. Photos are bright and rare. Coffee is good too. Cons: mostly landscape, the genre is narrow.

We went in nov n managed to see The Sekirakuen Garden. It's a really nice garden. Took a lot of pics. Can b crowded but no problem taking pics as the people there r friendly. Just stand aside n wait for our turn if we want to take pic at that particular spot. Recommended place to visit in Hakone.

If you are interested in ancient items, this is the place you should visit

As a photographer traveling through Japan this was one of the few galleries I stopped in. Cost is about 500 yen. We spent about 30-45 mins here.Its a small business run by a family so I was glad it went to the right people. It is down a small ally in central Gora. There is a coffee shop at the bottom with indoor and outdoor seating. The gallery is in the house in the back and is two story. When I visited to was mostly pictures taken near by of Mt. Fuji. Many large prints on metal. Worth a quick stop. Also had materials on other galleries and things about photography in Japan

Okada Museum of Art is a special exhibit of true ancient artifacts and woodblock painting. Many items exhibited are from centuries ago even some artifacts go back to centuries before BC. The museum is a must visit for any Archaeologists and even Historians meanwhile for tourists who aren’t interested in such area/field, I will recommend to prioritize visiting the Hakone Open Air Museum as it is better suited option and will definitely be more interesting… It may be noted that mobile phones, cameras and other items are not allowed in Okada Museum of Art. The museum include an open air foot bath which can be accessed separately for 500¥ or included for free as part of your ticket.

A great collection of china, folding screen, paintings, clay figures. Admission fee is 2800 yen. I thought it was a bit high but it was worth it! I spent 2 hours there. Smart phones and cameras are not allowed.

The admission fee is a bit high, but there are many things to see inside the museum and you can also enjoy the foot bath.

The purpose I visited here was to see the exhibition, “Utamaro and Hokusai ― Creators of an Era ―”. I have often visited Hokusai’s exhibitions many times but I was satisfied with seeing his famous artwork in this museum, “Under the Wave off Kanagawa , from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. In addition, you can enjoy Asian art and craft in the permanent exhibition area.

I am not stingy about art museums but 2800 yen is way too much to pay to see similar works that you can find in many other museums in Japan. Yes, there are one-of-a-kind pieces and an amazing collection of imperial Chinese porcelain, so if you just have to see something that is only here, by all means. On top of the price are the sterile atmosphere and unfriendly staff. You have to put all electronics in a locker and go through a metal detector. Too bad if you want to translate something from a description in the galleries. There are a few very helpful touch panels in multiple languages for selected displays but not all. Also it is oppressively dark and almost disorienting with the black walls. Finally, the garden was closed due to wind (though it seemed fine) on the day I visited, but no discount offered even though that was one of the reasons I wanted to go. Great art, though, so too bad really.

We came today because it was raining. Great exhibit with mainly pottery and paintings. They also had some bronze ware (some of which dated back to 13th century BC). Phones are not allowed in the museum which is understandable. The museum is on the more expensive side though, our tickets were around $43 USD for 2 people.

The museum demands you to leave all the digital devices, food and beverage in a locker before they let you into an exhibition space. You can see how diligently they practice this rule, just by looking at a security gate installed at the entrance. While I can be sympathetic as they'd probably struggle to find the right balance between protecting artworks and guests'experience, I'd have to say, experience was unpleasant even compared to many art museums in Japan. They have some exquisite Japanese artworks, hoping the operation would catch-up.

Extremely impressive museum, did not expect the quantity, quality and variety of things to see. The tickets are expensive, but justified. Together with the gardens and the footbath, it can easily turn into a whole-day thing. There’s even a restaurant! Highly recommended, was a fantastic way to spend a rainy day.

It's a really nice museum with well presented and beautiful displays but I think the price is a bit too high at 2800 yen per person. Photography is not allowed. Also, phones are not allowed inside and given that this is a fairly large museum, not having access to your phone for 2-3 hours isn't great.

Extensive pottery ware from the Han Dynasty, Joseon era, and Edo period. Pottery lovers would love this place. No pictures allowed inside but it’s okay. After visiting the museum, take a soak outside at the Ashi-yu and enjoy a parfait while you are at it. Very enjoyable!

Unique collection of highly interesting arts mostly from China, Japan and Korea. A lot of pottery, some paintings, some sculptures. Absolutely professional exhibition style - liked it! Saw my first original Hokusai in this museum 🤩

Thé Chinese ceramic collection is impressive! Did not expect to see so many beautiful pieces in Hakone!

Artifacts dating as far back as thousands of years BC. Definitely push your curiosity for Asian history

A beautiful museum with 5 floors of treasures extremely well-presented. Mainly wonderful Asian ceramics but the recent Utamaro and Hokusai exhibition was amazing. On several bus routes so easy access. I spent 3 hours enjoying this museum’s exhibits. Very pleased I don’t have to endure other people who feel it necessary to take photos of everything and themselves.