Open-Air Museum - A Place Where Art and Nature Meet

#100 Ways to Travel #Exhibition #Sculpture Forest Museum #Hakone The Sculpture Forest Museum has a beautiful garden of 70,000 square meters and permanently displays about 120 masterpieces of sculptures by modern and contemporary masters. Whether you are here to appreciate your favorite works or simply want to relax in a green and natural environment, this is an ideal place. In addition to the outdoor sculpture area, the museum also has 5 indoor exhibition halls and natural hot springs for visitors to relax in. The most noteworthy of these is the Picasso Museum, which is themed on Picasso. Hakone has always been one of the most famous tourist destinations in Japan, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum is located in this picturesque forest. After arriving at the art museum, the first thing you see is the vast garden with lush greenery. The various sculptures scattered among them complement each other, forming a harmonious and natural artistic painting. I can't wait to visit the various exhibition areas of the art museum and experience the unique charm of the fusion of art and nature here. The first place we came to was the Picasso Museum, which was just renovated and reopened in July 2019. The museum houses 319 classic works by Picasso, and through works of different themes and periods, it fully displays the artistic style of this great 20th century master of art. From concrete to abstract, from early to late, there is everything, which is dazzling. What impressed me most was his interpretation of the human body, which was full of surreal fantasy and seemed to challenge traditional aesthetic concepts. After renovation in 2019, Picasso's creativity is presented in a whole new way. Through the display of works of different themes and periods, the audience can feel Picasso's unique style and his artistic evolution in different stages of creation. The entire exhibition hall creates an atmosphere of freedom and transcendence of time and space, making people feel as if they are in the world created by Picasso. Wander in the art palace of Master Picasso and feel his unique creativity and imagination. Leaving the Picasso Pavilion, I strolled into another famous attraction in the Sculpture Forest - the Symphony Sculpture. The full name of the Symphony Sculpture is "Symphony Sculpture that Summons Happiness" and it is a tower built by a French artist. There is a spiral staircase inside the tower. As you climb up, the stained glass inlaid on the surrounding walls sparkles beautifully under the sunlight. Standing in it, the glass artworks around refract the sunlight, shining charming light in the woods, as if you are in a crystal fantasy. I walked slowly up the stairs, admiring these uniquely shaped glass artworks. At the end of the stairs, I could feel the green mountains of Hakone surrounding me. I couldn't help but stop for a long time, immersed in this magical interweaving of light and shadow. When I left, I took a dip in the museum's open-air hot spring foot bath, feeling the comfort of the hot spring and relaxing my tired feet. At that moment, I seemed to be integrated into this piece of nature and felt the inner peace and joy. For travelers who love art and nature, the Open-Air Museum is undoubtedly a great destination not to be missed. Whether you are appreciating the rare artworks in the museum or wandering through the sculpture scenery in the woods, it can bring you a relaxing experience for both body and mind. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hakone, be sure to take the time to explore this place. I believe that you will be as fascinated as I was and indulge in the perfect interweaving of art and nature. The way to get to the Open-Air Museum is also very convenient, whether by train or bus, it is easy to get there. From Odawara Station or Hakone Yumoto Station, you can take the bus routes marked "H", "J" and "Z" and get off directly at Ninohira Iriguchi Station. It is a 2-minute walk to the museum entrance. Alternatively, you can take the Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at the "Hakone Tozan Forest" station, which is also a 2-minute walk away. No matter which means of transportation you choose, you can reach this beautiful natural art palace conveniently and quickly. Address: 1121 Ninodaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Opening hours: 9:00-17:00, open all year round Admission fee: Adults 1,600 yen, university and high school students 1,200 yen, junior high and elementary school students 800 yen