Besides offering a wealth a flora and fauna to explore, Hakone has also become a centre for fascinating architectural achievements. These include an array of eclectic building styles and sculpture parks.

The Okada Museum of Art opened in 2013 and is our first port of call. It has an impressive exhibition space of around 5,000 m2. This spacious building mainly exhibits Japanese, Chinese, and Korean works of art ranging from ancient periods through to the present age, collected by business tycoon Okada Kazuo. Following a tour of the museum’s exhibition, visitors can enjoy strolling through the extensive gardens covering some 15,000 square meters, laced with streams, hot springs and meticulously designed gardens.

Next is Gora Park, a western style landscape park located on a slope above Gora Station offering panoramic views of Hakone. The park has two greenhouses, one housing a tropical botanical garden and the other an ornate flower garden.  In the Craft House guests can take part in activities such as flower arranging or glass sandblasting. The craft experience can be chosen on the day and cannot be reserved in advance.