Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, operated by Hakone Garasunomori Resort Co., Ltd., marks the 30th anniversary of its opening on August 8, 1996, this year. To thank the many visitors who have come through its doors over the past three decades, the museum is holding a range of anniversary programs centered on the opening anniversary, Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Anniversary Day Perks on Saturday, August 8
In appreciation of visitors' continued support, the museum is welcoming guests with special treatment on the anniversary day itself.
Free admission for elementary and junior high school students!
A "30th anniversary commemorative gift" for every visitor!
World-Renowned Musicians Gather: "30th Anniversary Special Concerts, Five Days"
Under its concept of "a museum to enjoy with all five senses," the museum will host a limited five-day run of special performances from Friday, August 7 through Tuesday (public holiday), August 11.
SENJIYA — AI-Powered Morin Khuur Music
SENJIYA will perform original pieces that blend the latest AI technology with the traditional sound of the morin khuur (Mongolian horse-head fiddle), along with a new theme song composed for the museum's 30th anniversary.
Date: Friday, August 7
Time: 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM (approximately 15 minutes each)
Location: In front of the "Fountain of Glass" inside the Venetian Glass Museum
Anniversary Day Special Concert 2026
Four musicians connected to the museum come together for a one-day-only special performance featuring music from around the world.
Date: Saturday, August 8
Time: 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM (approximately 30 minutes each)
Location: Cafe Restaurant Terrace
Alberto De Meis Museum Concert
Enjoy a powerful yet delicate performance from violinist Alberto De Meis.
Date: Saturday, August 8, Sunday, August 9, and Tuesday (public holiday), August 11
Time: 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM (approximately 15 minutes each)
Location: In front of the "Fountain of Glass" inside the Venetian Glass Museum
"Morin Khuur Day" Concert: The Sound of the Grasslands Echoes Through Hakone
Timed to August 10 — a date whose reading, "ba-tō," echoes 馬頭 (batō) in "morin khuur" (馬頭琴) — the museum will hold a student-produced morin khuur performance. A "morin khuur hands-on workshop" for children follows the performance.
Date: Monday, August 10
Time: 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM (approximately 15 minutes each)
Location: Outdoor Rose Garden (moved indoors in case of rain)
Topics Coloring Hakone's Summer
1. Hakone Tozan Bus: "30th Anniversary Wrap Bus" Begins Operation
Two buses featuring an original design inspired by Venetian glass will run throughout the Hakone area. The museum has also taken over the interior advertising space, so visitors can enjoy a special atmosphere even while on the move.
Operation period: From Saturday, July 18, for one year (planned)
2. Museum Shop "30th Anniversary Special Sets"
In gratitude to its visitors, the museum shop offers limited-edition sets of glassware and food items (jam, sweets, and more) at special prices (¥3,000 to ¥1,000,000, tax included). Live burner-work demonstrations by an Italian craftsman are also drawing crowds.
Sales period: Through Monday, August 31 (or while supplies last)
3. Special Demonstration Series, Part 2: Burner-Work Live Demonstration
To mark the 30th anniversary, the museum has invited Bruno Contiero, a craftsman from Italy's Progetto Vetro, a studio with a long-standing relationship with the museum, for a special live demonstration. It's a rare chance to watch up close as he melts glass in a flame of roughly 1,300°C to create his signature insects and animals using the traditional "burner-work" technique.
Dates: Through Monday, August 17
Time: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (with breaks; until 4:00 PM on the final day)
Closed Wednesdays (planned)
Location: Museum Shop Building, 3rd floor
4. Special Exhibition: "Venetian Glass in Paintings — Hakone Venetian Glass Museum Collection"
Using "Venetian glass depicted in Western paintings" as a guide, this exhibition traces the history of the craft while introducing masterpieces from the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum collection from a fresh perspective.
Dates: Through Monday (public holiday), January 11, 2027 (no closures during the exhibition period)
5. "Viewing Guide" for Children
To help young visitors enjoy and learn more deeply from the special exhibition, the museum is distributing a "viewing guide" featuring quizzes about the works on display, available at the entrance to the Venetian Glass Museum.
Period: Through August 31 (during summer vacation)
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Hakone Ryoko — Come to Hakone to Meet the Cool
1. The Cool Sound of 400 Glass Wind Chimes
The pergola on the garden terrace displays 100 original museum wind chimes alongside 300 Edo wind chimes decorated with colorful dragonfly-bead glass, creating a refreshing summer atmosphere. (Part of the "Hakone Ryoko 2026" tourism campaign)
Display period: Through Monday, August 31 (planned)
2. About 70,000 Crystal Beads! "Crystal Glass Water Fireworks" Scaled Up
Shimmering in the pond at the center of the garden, this display was inspired by the fireworks over Lake Ashi and is the world's only water fireworks display that sparkles in daylight. To mark the 30th anniversary, three new units (about 22,000 beads) have been added, bringing the total to four units and 70,000 beads for an even more dazzling, cooling spectacle.
Display period: Through Sunday, October 18 (planned)
Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
Address: 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0631
TEL: 0460-86-3111
Facilities: Venetian Glass Museum, Contemporary Glass Museum, Experience Workshop, Cafe Restaurant
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
Admission: Adults ¥1,800 | High school/university students ¥1,300 | Elementary/junior high school students ¥600
Official website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp
