Introduction
The Hakone outdoor art museum must have one of the most striking settings in the world - a mountainside above a line of valleys that leads down to the sea.
The exhibits are just as impressive - works by Rodin, Moore, Miró, Gormley and Takamichi stud the surroundings, while a series of ceramics by Picasso can be viewed in a separate pavilion.
Hot springs
Visitors to Hakone often find themselves in hot water - in fact many come here specifically to enjoy it. There are hot springs, or onsen, around almost every corner, some with a faint hint of sulphur, others simply steaming away.
One way of enjoying them is to stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan (inn), where guests can enjoy a dip before dining, another before bedtime and yet another before breakfast if they so desire, and many do.
There are plenty of public baths to be found outdoors too, and these are particularly recommended for a soak beneath the stars. The mineral content of the springs varies, depending on their source, but all are believed to be deeply therapeutic and relaxing.
