Asia

[Visited: February 2024]

After my hike to Mount Kintoki and Mount Myojingataka, I walk down into Miyagino. I am tempted to go to an onsen to give my legs some rest, but then I also want to visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I decide for the latter, walk through the village, up another hill, and reach the entrance of the museum. From the entrance, I go down the escalator, walk through a tunnel, and enter the grounds of the museum that was opened in 1969, making it the oldest open-air museum of the country. The first sculpture that calls for my attention if Man and Pegasus, perched high above me on a pedestal. On the terrace, I find several more sculptures by European artists like Rodin and Bourdelle. I walk towards a row of four statues, and see the mountain I have climbed just before in the background.
Apart from the sculptures, there are also colourful works of art exposed here. I follow the path, and see more sculptures. Probably the most striking one is Unidos, a couple in embrace, which looks very tender. On a slope, I find several modern works of art, like the Sphere within a sphere. I need a second look to understand what I am really seeing. Close by, My Sky Hole, a silvery sphere hanging over the intersection of paths, invites people to look up and see the reflection of their surroundings distorted. From here, I continue my exploration. At a labyrinth, where kids try to get out of the maze, I see several sculptures of women by Japanese artists. I walk past a huge installation: the Woods of Net, walk down a path that meanders past several smaller sculptures. A little further down, I see an enormous white hall with Picasso in black letters covering the entire wall.
Inside, I find a surprising collection of works of art of the famous Spanish artist on two floors, and admire his genius. Apart from his paintings, there is also an overview of his turbulent life. Outside, I find the Walking Flower, a colourful sculpture, and the Great Prophet, a huge statue. I take another path to walk up to the café, and see the hot-spring foot bath on the side where people take off their shoes, and soak them in hot water that is fed straight from nature. Unfortunately, I don't have time for it, as I only have another hour before closing time. I walk up the stairs of the Symphonic Sculpture, which in reality is a circular tower with coloured light falling through stained glass windows. From here, I see many more works of art: Mother and Child, Miss Black Power, Reclining Figure, Close, and even an original take on a French chapel. I walk past the Hand of God, two benches looking like two eggs sunny side up, and still more works before the loudspeaker urge people to leave the grounds. I may have missed the hot baths, but visiting the Hakone Open-Air Museum was certainly very much worth it!

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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Hakone Open-Air Museum > Japan > Asia

[Visited: February 2024]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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