Hakone Museum of Art

Hakone Museum of Art is a Japanese ceramics museum in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, established in 1952 by Okada Mokichi, founder of Sekai Kyusei Kyo (Church of World Messianity) and art collector. The museum was Japan's first facility dedicated to Japanese pottery and ceramics, reflecting Okada's belief that beauty contributes to spiritual well-being. The collection spans the Jomon period (ancient prehistoric pottery) through the Edo period, emphasizing Japanese ceramic tradition development over millennia. The Hakone location utilized the area's popularity as a mountain resort and hot spring destination.

The collection contains over 1,700 pieces of Japanese ceramics, including Important Cultural Properties. The focus is Momoyama and Edo period ceramics, including tea ceremony wares from major kilns: Bizen, Shigaraki, Tamba, Echizen, Seto, and Mino. The museum preserves the evolution of Japanese pottery techniques, glazing methods, and aesthetics across periods and regions. The museum features a renowned moss garden, considered one of Hakone's finest, with over 130 moss varieties beneath maple trees creating a distinctive green landscape.

Visitors view exhibition galleries with rotating permanent collection selections arranged chronologically or thematically to illustrate ceramic development and regional variations. Explanations cover techniques, kiln types, and historical context. The moss garden has walking paths through landscaped grounds with moss varieties, stone arrangements, and seasonal vegetation, including a tea house for traditional service. Autumn is popular when approximately 200 maple trees provide vibrant foliage against green moss. The museum shop sells ceramics, books, and art items.

Hakone Museum of Art is in Gora, accessible via Hakone Tozan Railway to Koen-shimo Station or Koen-kami Station, both within walking distance. From Tokyo, take the Odakyu Romance Car to Hakone-Yumoto Station, then Hakone Tozan Railway. Access also via Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Gora Station. The Hakone Free Pass provides unlimited Hakone transport.