Lalique Museum, Hakone, Art museum in Sengokuhara, Hakone, Japan

The Lalique Museum in Sengokuhara displays roughly 1,500 pieces of glass, jewelry, and decorative objects created by French artist René Lalique across three exhibition spaces. The collection ranges from early jewelry designs to architectural ornaments, showcasing the full scope of his artistic output.

The museum was founded by Katsuyasu Hata, president of the Hata Kogyo company and a collector of René Lalique's work. The building, designed by Kajima Corporation, received the 47th BCS Prize in 2006. Its collection of about 1,500 pieces traces Lalique's career from early jewelry to later architectural decoration.

The collection demonstrates how French Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles shaped the way people viewed glass and jewelry as serious art forms. Walking through the galleries, you notice how these design principles were applied to everyday objects and architectural features that once surrounded people in their homes.

The museum is located roughly 10 minutes on foot from Sengokubara bus stop and opens daily except on the third Thursday of each month. Last admission is at 15:30 and the building closes at 16:00, so plan to arrive with enough time before closing.

The café occupies a genuine Côte d'Azur-type Pullman car, No. 4158E (WSP4158), decorated by René Lalique and used on the Orient Express. The same carriage ran in Japan in 1988 as Orient Express '88. Gold lettering on its blue and cream body reads "Train de Luxe" and "PULLMAN 1re CLASSE".