Japan's Venice
As you walk from one hushed room to another you find blue stained glass with gold tints, gigantic dancing hall mirrors, fish mouth shaped glassware, and glass jewel beads whose mistress has long since left this world. The beauty of these hand blown, hand painted treasures is truly breathtaking in some cases. The sheer history of these fragile pieces is in itself a vivid portrayal of how such people once lived it up in Venice!
Another room shows more modern styled glass works and then you can find a gift shop with an abundance of glassware and nick knacks to take your fancy, although one does feel a bit like a bull in a china shop! I came away with a lovely vase and a little bunch of glass wrapped candies!
The outside grounds are just as inviting with interesting glass works floating in a moat like lake around the museum walls, with ducks splashing about and waddling on little islands. In autumn the gardens take on a golden hue, in summer a blue one. There is a bistro like café to take a rest and a small shop in a stone styled windmill like building to buy locally made jams and sauces. The gardens themselves take on an Italian flare with grey stone ornaments, such as a lion with water flowing from its open mouth in a quiet courtyard.
There are also workshops where one can try their hand at stained or etched glass or making a pair of glass cufflinks or a pendant to go on a necklace. If made during the morning it will be ready by the end of the day to take home, alternatively you can have it mailed to you as we did!
So just when you thought the only hint at Italy in Japan was the seaweed pizzas or natto pasta, try Hakone and you can visit a very real piece of Italy for the day!
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