The Hakone Museum of Art is an ideal place for people interested in Japanese culture and history. Most visitors tend to visit the more famous Open-Air Museum, where you can walk through a picturesque park surrounded by hundred-plus sculptures and installations. But trust me: the Museum of Art can also surprise you.

The art venue is located along with the Hakone Tozan Cable Car between Owakudani and Gora stations. It was founded by Okada Mokichi, a philosopher, creator of the Sekai Kyusei Kyo doctrine of World Salvation and collector. The museum opened its doors to visitors in 1952.

The collection is based on ancient ceramic products. Many of the pieces are several hundred years old and some of them even date back to the ancient Edo period. Visitors can see all kinds of everyday objects and art: from small delicate plates and decorative figurines to majestic statues and huge vases that were used to ferment food.

In the best traditions of the Eastern worldview and Japanese culture, the Hakone Museum of Art turned out to be a very quiet, calm, and cozy place. Usually, there are not many people, so this special atmosphere is not disturbed. The whole vibe of the institution disposes to silent contemplation, like meditation.

The windows of the museum is a separate art form. The large size provides good natural light, and the simple shapes don't distract attention. It would seem that there is nothing unusual? But if you look through the glass shutters, you can see the magnificent scenery of Hakone, which is hard to look away from. The mountain scenery of Fuji Hakone-Izu National Park, the dense foliage of picturesque maples, and delicate sakura trees... It seems as if these aren't even windows at all, but paintings that came to life.

The surroundings of the art museum deserve no less attention than its rich and valuable exposition. It is surrounded by two stunning traditional Japanese-style gardens decorated with velvet moss, narrow paths, rocks, bamboo groves, and waterfalls. Lose yourself in this tranquil atmosphere, sitting down by the golden carp pond with a cup of matcha tea.