Hakone is not just a destination; it’s a threshold. A place where the lines blur—between past and present, myth and history, the seen and the unseen. It is a land where mountains loom with divine presence, where water reflects more than just the sky, and where even the most skeptical traveler might start to believe in things long dismissed.
A Hill Worth the Climb
Up a steep incline, but fear not—a swift MK chariot makes the ascent effortless. The journey itself feels like a passage into another world, winding through forests thick with mist, past onsen steam curling into the air like whispers from the old gods.
And then, the Narukawa Museum—a building that hums with a presence unlike anywhere else in Hakone. Step inside, and suddenly, the air is thick with something ancient—a spiritual reality the Western mind has long dismissed, forgotten, or never recognized in the first place.
Within these walls, myths are not just stories but whispers passed down from China, reaching further back to India, embedded into the folds of Shinto belief. The giant slithering dragon once said to inhabit Lake Ashi? Not a fantasy, but a presence enshrined at Hakone Shrine, still honored with quiet reverence. Believe or don’t, but if you stare long enough at the water, senses (or nous, as the ancients called it) might sharpen, and the cold nihilism of the modern world might just crack.
Art as a Mirror to the Soul
The Narukawa Museum isn’t a museum in the typical sense—it’s more of a liminal space, a minimalist sanctuary with a Showa-era sensibility, where art isn’t just viewed, but felt. The focus here is Nihonga, a style of Japanese painting that captures the transient beauty of nature better than any lens ever could.
Among the works, a Siamese cat gazes at an orchid, its presence so precise it feels like it’s watching you back. Then, a kabuki mask—demonic, contorted, a frozen scream lacquered in time. It brings to mind Onibaba, the 1964 horror masterpiece, where spirits and human desperation blur into one. Haven’t seen it? Do yourself a favor. It’s essential viewing for understanding the darker corners of Nippon’s soul.
A Café Between Worlds
Step into the museum’s café, and you’re suddenly floating over Hakone itself. A Lynchian dream-space where time slows down, where you sip coffee while staring at a world that feels both distant and intensely present.
Ancient philosopher Heraclitus once mused that “all life flows like water”, and here, gazing at Lake Ashi stretching endlessly before you, it’s easy to understand what he meant. The lake is more than a body of water—it’s a mirror, a threshold, an entity in itself.
Theatrical Departures
Before leaving, a stop at the museum’s gift shop offers one last surprise—3D chocolate sculptures of Mt. Fuji, as bizarre as they are delightful. An unexpected reminder that in Hakone, the serious and the surreal coexist effortlessly.
Step outside, and there it is—a pirate ship sailing across the lake, part of Hakone’s unique way of embracing the theatrical. It drifts across the water, a bizarre contrast to the ancient peaks towering behind it. A land that once worshipped its mountains before the Logos became Christ incarnate, still alive with the spirits of another time.
Come Before the Influencers Take Over
The secret’s getting out. Come at the wrong time, and the famous couch in the museum is occupied by influencers crafting their best “lost in thought” pose. But take your own picture. This view deserves to be remembered, and your friends back home will need proof that Japan really does look like this.
The MK chariot awaits. The pleasure, as always, was all mine.
Enjoy this very destination as part of the "Hakone - History, Nature and Culture" TOKYO MK TOUR, so follow the link below for details, and Contact Us today!
Let MK Be Your Personal Guide to the Mystical Beauty of Hakone
Hakone is more than a destination—it’s an experience, a threshold between past and present, myth and reality. Whether you're gazing into the enigmatic waters of Lake Ashi, uncovering ancient stories at the Narukawa Museum, or indulging in a quiet moment over coffee with a view, MK ensures your journey is effortless and unforgettable.
Travel in unparalleled comfort with MK’s Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II EWB, offering a luxury experience that matches the timeless elegance of Hakone. Glide through mist-covered forests and Japan’s sacred landscapes with ease. Learn more about this premium travel experience here.
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