1/ POLA Museum｜POLA 美術館
Just five minutes’ drive from Hakone Retreat is one of my favorite stops of this trip – the POLA Museum of Art. Nestled quietly in the forest, its design emphasizes harmony between nature and art. The architecture team made sure that its structure does not rise higher than the surrounding trees, resulting in a museum that is mostly hidden underground, yet with an atrium that floods the space with natural light.
從 Hakone Retreat 開車五分鐘，就能到我此行最喜歡的景點 —— POLA 美術館。美術館隱身在森林中，設計強調自然與藝術的共生，建築高度不超過八米（以不超過周遭樹木為準則），因此大部分結構藏在地下，卻透過中庭讓室內灑滿自然光。
We happened to visit during a Van Gogh exhibition. Em had only ever seen Sunflowers in picture books, watching her come face to face with an actual painting made me slightly emotional – though she probably couldn’t yet grasp the significance.
我們正好遇上梵谷特展，Em 之前只在繪本裡見過《向日葵》，這次親眼看到真跡，我替她感動，雖然她本人應該還不明白其中的意義。
Outside, a one-kilometer forest trail winds through the trees. The path is gentle enough that even four-year-old Em could finish it with some encouragement. Birds chirping, insects humming, and sculptures standing quietly among the greenery…little surprises from both nature and art appear along the way. Highly recommended.
館外還有約一公里的森林步道，路面平緩，四歲多的 Em 也能輕鬆走完。林中有蟲鳴鳥語、有雕塑靜默佇立，時不時能邂逅大自然和藝術品帶來的驚喜。強烈推薦。
2/ アメイズコーヒーハウス Amaze Coffee House
On the way to the POLA Museum, we stumbled upon this hidden gem of a café, Amaze Coffee House. An inviting wooden house with floor-to-ceiling windows, filled with natural light and greenery.
在前往 POLA 美術館的路上，我們偶然發現了 Amaze Coffee House 這家寶藏咖啡館。木質建築配上落地窗，光線充足，綠植點綴其間，氛圍安靜而溫暖。
A had a dark roasted pour over while I enjoyed a silky iced latte with honey, and Em’s orange juice carried just the right mix of tart and sweet. Drinks came with slices of baumkuchen (delicious), and even El, who didn’t order anything, got a portion – along with some cream crackers just for kids.
我和 A 的咖啡順口好喝，Em 的橙汁酸甜平衡，帶點個性。飲料附贈的年輪蛋糕也很美味，連沒點飲料的 El 也分到一份，還附上孩子專屬小餅乾。
There was thoughtfulness everywhere, including children’s books stacked in a corner. I’m guessing the cafe owner has kids too?
更驚喜的是，店裡還有童書可讀。或許老闆自己也有孩子吧？處處都透著貼心。
3/ The Hakone Open-Air Museum 箱根雕刻之森美術館
The Hakone Open-Air Museum in Gora wasn’t on my original must-visit list, but I’m so glad we went. Sculptures by world-renowned artists scattered on the vast grounds against the backdrop of mountains and sky – it was the perfect place for kids to roam around. (Though I personally preferred POLA, it was obvious that Em and El enjoyed this museum much more.)
雕刻之森美術館位於強羅，原本不在我的 must-see 清單上，但去了之後覺得真是太棒了。這裡佔地寬廣，以群山與藍天為背景，散布著許多知名藝術家的雕塑，僅在戶外花園漫步就已十分值得。
Em and El especially loved Woods of Net, a massive net play structure they could climb all over. We spent a good half hour there alone, and could’ve stayed longer if we had extra time. If you’re bringing young kids to Hakone, this is a must.
美術館空間開闊，比 POLA Museum of Art 更適合孩子。Em 和 El 最喜歡能自由攀爬的 Woods of Net，光在這裡就能玩上半小時。帶小朋友來箱根，這裡絕對是必去的一站。
4/ Gora Brewery & Pub Stop Pizza
Gora can get busy with tourists, and if you’d rather skip the long lunch lines, head over to Gora Brewery & Grill. Their craft beer list runs from light and refreshing to hop-heavy IPAs, perfect alongside their grilled meats and fresh salads.
強羅遊客不少，午餐時間若不想排隊等位，可以去 Gora Brewery & Grill。這裡的精釀啤酒選擇多樣，從輕盈清爽到酒花濃郁的 IPA 都有，搭配餐廳的烤肉和沙拉，是非常舒服的一餐。
Next door is their sister shop, Pub Stop Pizza & Bar, serving both thin- and thick-crust pizzas (if I had to choose, I’d go with the chewy thick crusts). We tried the garlic shrimp and carbonara toppings – both delicious.
隔壁的披薩小店 Pub Stop Pizza & Bar 由同一間公司經營，披薩有薄和厚兩種餅皮，各有千秋（要選的話，我個人更喜歡厚皮的嚼勁）。試了 garlic shrimp 和 carbonara 兩個口味，都不錯。
After pizza, grab a coffee from Brewers Cafe and dip your feet in the outdoor onsen foot bath if you feel like lingering a bit longer in this nice little corner.
吃完比薩可以在轉角處的 Brewers Cafe 買杯咖啡，泡個露天足浴，再悠閒離開。
5/ Chaseki 茶石
One last stop in Gora – Chaseki tea house. Small and serene, a lovely pitstop for pausing and resetting your breath before continuing on with the journey. .
最後推薦一間同樣位於強羅的茶室 – Chaseki 茶石。店面不大，氛圍靜謐，是個適合稍作停留、調整呼吸，再繼續旅程的小小驛站。
Cold brew tea, served with hydrangea-themed wagashi — a little taste of summer.
沁涼的冷泡茶，和夏天特有的紫陽花和菓子。
We couldn’t linger long with the kids, in fear of them disrupting the serenity of this space. As we walked out, an elderly staff member came running after us, handing each of the children a little bag of rice crackers! How very kind.
我們帶著孩子沒能久留，喝完茶便匆匆離開。一位年長店員特地追出來，送給 Em 和 El 一人一包米餅。出門時遇見這樣的善意，總讓人特別感動。
And if you haven’t already, check out this post for the perfect place to stay in Hakone.
如果你還沒有看這一篇的話，點擊閱讀我們這次在箱根的完美住宿。