Sight guide · Hakone · Japan
Visiting Hakone Open-Air Museum
Opened in 1969, Japan's first open-air art museum spreads more than a hundred modern sculptures, by artists including Henry Moore and Rodin, across landscaped hillsides.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Hakone Open-Air Museum is a museum in Gōra, Hakone. Allow 2–3 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Gōra
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art, kids and outdoors
- Best months
- May and November–December
About Hakone Open-Air Museum
Opened in 1969, Japan's first open-air art museum spreads more than a hundred modern sculptures, by artists including Henry Moore and Rodin, across landscaped hillsides. The Picasso Pavilion displays ceramics and other works by Picasso, children can climb inside the crocheted Woods of Net installation, and a natural hot-spring footbath lets you rest your feet halfway round.
Tip: Climb the spiral stairs inside the Symphonic Sculpture tower for its stained glass and a view over the grounds, and finish at the footbath.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Gōra, the hub at the top of the Tozan line, with the cable car, Gōra Park and many ryokan.
Best time to visit Hakone Open-Air Museum
Hakone Open-Air Museum is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- May: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- November: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- December: 9°C (48°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Hakone has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Hakone itinerary visits Hakone Open-Air Museum on day 1, together with Gōra Park and Ōwakudani.
- No. 1 of the 18 sights in our Hakone things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Hakone.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Hakone.
- A family favourite in Hakone with kids.
Near Hakone Open-Air Museum
Also in Gōra, so you can walk between them:
- Gōra Park — 1 hour, low cost
If you like Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Lalique Museum Hakone — Sengokuhara, 1.5 hours
Staying near Hakone Open-Air Museum
Stay in Gōra ($$$) to walk here: the hub at the top of the Tozan line, with the cable car, Gōra Park and many ryokan. All areas to stay in Hakone.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Hakone Open-Air Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Gōra Park nearby, it fits a half-day in Gōra.
+Is Hakone Open-Air Museum free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Hakone Open-Air Museum?
May and November–December for the most comfortable weather. Climb the spiral stairs inside the Symphonic Sculpture tower for its stained glass and a view over the grounds, and finish at the footbath.
+Do I need to book Hakone Open-Air Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Hakone Open-Air Museum good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Hakone. Hakone is a fun day out for children because the journey itself is the attraction: a zigzagging train, a cable car, a gondola over steaming volcanic vents and a pirate ship across the lake.