Pola Museum

Pola Museum of Art is located in Hakone. town, in the Western Kanagawa Prefecture. The museum mainly exhibits Western-style paintings that have been collected for over 40 years by the founder of Pola Cosmetics, Shibobu Suzuki. In addition to paintings, about 10,000 items are on view display, including pottery and cosmetics from various times and places.
The building which consists of 4 floors (two above and beneath ground level), looks like an art work itself. The concept of the building is “art coexisting in harmony with the nature of Hakone.” The glass-walled ground floor lets in tons of natural light that stay in harmony with the surrounding woods.
The woods have paved walkways, where you can enjoy a walk for about 20 minutes. It’s a unique experience to the museum in the middle of the woods to where you can enjoy sculptures that stand all over while feeling seasonal nature of Hakone, such as views of flowers and singing birds. In the summer time, the museum offers a one-night-and-two-day event, called “Forest Museum,” where participants can enjoy not only listening to art guidance in the after-hour museum, but also camping in the woods at night.