Opened in September, 2002, in Sengokuhara, Hakone. In line with its concept of “Nature in Hakone and Symbiosis in the Art”, the building merges into the forest scenery surrounding it. Most of the building is in fact underground in order to maintain harmony with the surrounding environment. It is a museum in which a sense of unity with nature is also emphasised by the natural light pouring down from a top light in the pavilion, and the resulting overflowing light and greenery in it. The museum’s construction itself has indeed won awards several times, including the 16th Togo Murano Award in 2003, and the 2004 Architectural Institute of Japan Award.

The central core of this collection are the works collected by Tsuneshi Suzuki (1930- 2000). Suzuki was an owner of Pola Orbis Holdings and his collection contains 9,500 works of various genres ranging from Western painting, including works from the 19th century French Impressionist school and Ecole de Paris, to Japanese style paintings, Oriental ceramics, modern Japanese ceramics, glass art, and make-up tools, amongst others. The museum holds variegated special exhibitions about twice a year with selections from this collection.

One of the features of the Pola Museum of Art is its exhibition room lighting. Care is taken to ensure that the works exhibited are viewed in an environment which best shows their beauty. A light designer plans the lighting for each exhibition employing the latest optical fiber lighting. This museum is worth a visit in order to appreciate the unchanging beauty of its collections as well as the natural beauty in Hakone that changes together with the four seasons.

Address: 1285, Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
Phone: +81-(0)460-84-2111
Website: http://www.polamuseum.or.jp/english/