Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta.
This time, I took my beloved Harley Sports Glide (FLSB) on a tour to the Hakone Glass Forest Museum in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. Hakone Glass Forest Museum is Japan’s first art museum specializing in Venetian glass, with modern glass works and crystal glass objects scattered throughout the lush garden.
There is also a glass workshop, cafe/restaurant, and museum shop, making it a facility that you can enjoy all day long. This time, we will introduce the route from central Tokyo to Hakone Glass Forest Museum, highlights, motorcycle parking, etc.
Route to Hakone Glass Forest Museum
I started from central Tokyo. First, head towards Yokohama using the Metropolitan Expressway. The Metropolitan Expressway can be congested, but you can ride it relatively comfortably on a motorcycle. From the Shuto Expressway, take the Tomei Expressway and exit at the Gotemba Interchange.
From here, take National Route 138 towards Hakone. National Route 138 has many curves and hills, so you can enjoy riding, but please be sure to drive safely as there are many oncoming cars and pedestrians. You can also enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi along the way. Drive along National Route 138 and arrive at Hakone Sengokuhara. From here, it’s a short walk to your destination, Hakone Glass Forest Museum.
Highlights of Hakone Glass Forest Museum
When you arrive at Hakone Glass Forest Museum, first pay the admission fee. Admission fee is 1,800 yen for adults, but it’s a little cheaper if you buy your ticket online in advance. After paying the admission fee, you can freely tour the museum.
The museum has two exhibition rooms: the Venetian Glass Museum and the Contemporary Glass Museum. The Venetian Glass Museum exhibits approximately 100 masterpieces of Venetian glass, which was popular among European aristocrats from the 15th to the 19th century.
The colorful glass is illuminated by the light and sparkles. The Contemporary Glass Museum exhibits works by currently active glass artists. Experience the infinite possibilities of glass through innovative designs and techniques.
In addition to the exhibition rooms, there is also a garden, a glass workshop, a cafe/restaurant, and a museum shop. In the garden, you can enjoy contemporary glass works, crystal glass objects, and seasonal flowers. The crystal glass water fireworks and light corridors are especially spectacular. At the glass workshop, you can try techniques such as fusing, which involves melting and joining glass, and sandblasting, which involves carving patterns using sand. Seasonal motifs are also available, so you can create your own original work.
At the cafe/restaurant, you can enjoy dishes and sweets served in glass bowls on a bright cafe terrace overlooking the green garden. The museum shop has a collection of around 100,000 pieces of artistic glass products from all over the world, including Venetian glass. Perfect for yourself or as a souvenir.
Motorcycle parking lot at Hakone Glass Forest Museum
There is a paid parking lot (150 spaces) adjacent to the Hakone Glass Forest Museum and a third parking lot (5 minutes walk). The adjacent paid parking lot is 300 yen per day for regular cars. The third parking lot is free, but you will need to walk there.
Summary
This time, I toured to the Hakone Glass Forest Museum on a Harley Sports Glide (FLSB). Hakone Glass Forest Museum is a wonderful facility where you can see and experience Venetian glass and modern glass works. There are plenty of gardens, cafes, and restaurants, so you can enjoy the whole day. If you go by motorcycle, you can use the adjacent paid parking lot or the third parking lot, but please be aware that you may not be able to enter during busy times. The Hakone Glass Forest Museum is also a recommended sightseeing spot for bikers.
