“A Museum That Breathes with the Forest”
沉靜如詩的美術館,深藏於森林之中,空間與光影設計極致細膩,展品選擇具國際水準,是箱根旅途中靈魂與眼睛的休憩之所。
If you believe art should be experienced in silence, surrounded by nature, and with reverence rather than spectacle, then the Pola Museum of Art is a place that will speak to your soul.
Tucked quietly into the forests of Hakone, this museum is a stunning blend of architecture and environment. The semi-subterranean design allows natural light to flow gently across its white walls, creating a serene, meditative atmosphere. Even before seeing a single painting, the museum itself feels like an art piece—a temple dedicated to quiet contemplation.
The collection focuses primarily on Impressionism and early 20th-century Western art, and includes notable works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. Seeing a Van Gogh in the middle of a Japanese forest feels both surreal and oddly intimate. There’s also a respectable representation of Japanese Western-style painters such as Léonard Foujita (Tsuguharu Fujita), which helps bridge cultural contexts.
The layout is generous and uncluttered, allowing each piece to breathe. You are never rushed, never overwhelmed. It’s the opposite of the “tick-the-box” museum experience.
Even more unique is the adjacent forest walking trail, which seamlessly extends the artistic experience into nature itself. This isn’t just a place to look at paintings—it’s a space to reset your internal rhythm.
The museum shop is worth visiting too, offering beautifully curated merchandise that avoids the usual tourist clichés.
Conclusion:
Pola Museum of Art is a quiet jewel. Not flashy, not trying to impress—but if you’re paying attention, you’ll be deeply moved. In an era of overstimulation, it offers a rare luxury: stillness.
✔ Recommended for: Art lovers, architecture enthusiasts, solitude seekers.
✘ Not recommended for: Those seeking interactive exhibitions or fast-paced tourism.