The building was designed by Yasushi Kaji to be 'symbiotic with the Hakone forest,' with over 80% of the structure located underground.
The collection includes significant works by Claude Monet, Renoir, and Picasso, reflecting the founder's personal passion for Impressionism.
The site features a 670-meter wooden path through a pristine beech forest that includes rare local plant species.
The museum's glass-tiled exterior and skylights were specifically engineered to filter out ultraviolet rays, protecting the delicate pigments of the aging art collection.
The Pola collection began with the founder collecting lipstick cases and beauty-related artifacts before expanding into fine arts.
A significant portion of the museum's design focuses on 'light,' utilizing sensors to adjust indoor illumination based on the shifting intensity of external sunlight.
The Pola Museum of Art is a subterranean architectural structure built into the dense beech forest of Hakone to minimize visual impact on the environment. It primarily houses the collection of Tsuneshi Suzuki, former head of the Pola Cosmetics group, which emphasizes 19th-century French Impressionist paintings and Japanese modern art. The museum features a signature glass-walled design that allows natural light to filter into the underground exhibition spaces. It holds over 10,000 items, ranging from paintings and sculptures to Oriental ceramics and glass crafts. The facility integrates a nature trail that winds through the surrounding Hakone National Park woodland. Architectural elements include a double-curved roof and a multi-level atrium that connects the subterranean galleries. The museum is currently operational and maintains a rotating exhibition schedule for its permanent and loan collections.
The main glass-atrium entrance where the architecture meets the forest canopy.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the outdoor forest nature trail in addition to the extensive indoor galleries.
Check the official website for current special exhibition themes, as these often require different focus times than the permanent collection.
Visit the museum cafe, which offers views of the forest canopy through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Do not attempt to walk from the nearest main town centers, as the museum is located on steep, winding mountain roads without pedestrian sidewalks.
Open year-round with occasional short-term closures for exhibition installation periods; check online status before travel.
No photography in specific exhibition rooms; keep voices low to maintain a quiet environment; do not touch glass displays.
