7. Museum Review: The Little Prince Museum (Hakone)

The book 'The Little Prince' was published in 1943, and has been translated into more than 140 languages. It was written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, who was born on July 29, 1900 in Lyon, France. He grew up and lived in the castle of Saint-Maurice-de-Remens, and he participated in the war both as an aviator and as an author. Upon entering this museum, you are transported into France, early 1900's. The alleyways and gardens are really lovely. There is also a small chapel which is a reproduction of one neighboring the castle that Saint-Exupery grew up in. Look for the rose and fox motifs hidden in the stained glass.Inside the buildings are the museum, photos and letters tell the story of Saint-Exupery's life, with re-creations of rooms he worked in, city streets in Paris,... Almost everything is in Japanese, but it is still interesting, especially if you are a fan of the book.

There is also a small theater (decorated as a desert), that documents the story of The Little Prince and the life of its author. It is only in Japanese.

There is a nice restaurant on site, the 'Restaurant Le Petit Prince'. Enjoy casual French style cooking from Monsieur Okabe, who defeated Iron Chef Sakai in a lamb battle on the Japanese TV program Iron Chef. The menu includes fresh organic vegetables purchased from contracted farmers, pork and chicken raised in the vicinity of Hakone, and fresh fish shipped direct from Odawara's fishing port.

Indoors there is seating for about 70, outside there is a garden side terrace with 40 seats, and there is also a parking lot side terrace with 44 seats.

Cafe time = 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Lunchtime = 11:00AM to 6:00PM (Final orders 5:00PM)

Dinner time (6:00PM to 9:00PM) - offered only during: Golden Week(April 28 to May 5)Summertime (from August 5 to August 20), and Christmas (December 23 to 25)

There is also a small terrace cafe, the 'Cafe Le Saint Germain des Pres'. It is modeled after the 'Brasserie Lipp', a cafe that Saint-Exupery would frequent when in Paris. The menu includes beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks), as well as hotdogs and cakes. There are 9 indoor seats and 34 terrace seats.

I was not really familiar with the book or the author, but I enjoyed wandering around France for a couple of hours. That said, I wouldn't recommend this museum for visitors to Japan - go and visit something more Japanese! But, if you live in Japan, it is an interesting spot to visit. The only negative is the lack of English explanations, it is best to become familiar with the author and book before visiting.

Address: 909 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken
Phone: 0460-86-3700

Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)

Directions:

*Train and bus - Approximately 30 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus from the Hakone Yumoto station on the Odakyu line. Get off at the Kawamukai Museum of The Little Prince bus stop. *By Car - Approximately 20 minutes from the Tomei Expressway Gotenba Interchange. There are 112 parking spaces, free on weekdays, weekends and holidays 300 yen.

*Express buses run through Shinjuku and Ikejiri. Get off at the Kawamukai bus stop (in front of the museum). For details, see the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus home page.

Admission:

Adult 1,500 yen (purchased in advance: 1,300)
Senior (60+) 1,100 yen (purchased in advance: 900)
Univ. or High School Student 1,100 yen (purchased in advance: 900)

Junior (6 - 15) 700 yen (purchased in advance: 600)

*Student prices apply only if a student ID card or similar is presented.

*They do not sell advance tickets at student and senior prices. Present student ID or similar on the day of your visit, and you will be refunded 400 yen.