One of the most beautiful and surprising places I have ever visited has been the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Founded in 1969 this delightful repository is filled with the most amazing collection of sculpture and artworks from around the globe set in lush, undulating gardens with a backdrop of the breathtaking mountains surrounding Hakone. If you want to see at a glance what is on offer you can climb the magnificent stained glass tower which is an immense cylinder of coruscating colours and a fantasy of design and look out on the gardens from the viewing platform at the top. (perhaps you can tell how much I loved it?)
Wonderfully un-busy, we spent hours meandering about the hundreds of exquisitely placed exhibits, pausing briefly to soak our feet in one of the natural hot spring rivulets that had been thoughtfully channelled for the visitors.
An entire pavilion built to house the Museum’s impressive collection of Picassos was an added bonus but you don’t have to be an art aficionado to enjoy this serene and charming place.
If you have Mount Fuji in your sights then try to add in Hakone and the Open-Air Museum (especially if you are travelling in spring or autumn). You will never regret it.
In response to the weekly photo challenge: Shadowed
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