Well, I still didn't quite relate to the sculptures, and occasionally, I even found the titles of the sculptures to be more intellectually and emotionally stimulating than the sculptures themselves. Nonetheless, I had a field day trying to capture good photographs of the sculptures juxtaposed with their surroundings. Reflections of the skies on sculpture surfaces. Lady sculptures in provocative positions. Bizarre angles that offer interpretations only I can vaguely conceptualise. Yin-yang combinations of the natural (nature) and the artificial (sculptures). It was cool to have this creative space to just let my imagination run wild and be a trigger-happy tourist.

This museum also has a Picasso Pavilion that contains more than 200 of his works spanning a diverse range, from pastels to ceramics. Personally, I thought his ceramics plates showed rather limited range, as they were simply different permutations of the smiley face. Still, it was rather interesting to see how Picasso had employed vibrant colours for these works.

What appealed more to me was a collection of photographs by David Douglas Duncan, an American photographer who lived with Picasso for 17 years. Fancy that! His photographs clearly show how Picasso laboured over his work. It was touching and humbling to witness the love and devotion captured in this series, exhibited by both Picasso and Duncan.

I would love for Rough Guide readers to tell me their impressions of the museum, and perhaps to educate me if I have displayed an ignorance for art in this entry.

Check out the official website: http://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/.