- Address: 909 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0631, Japan
- Phone: +81 460-86-3700
- Year of foundation: 1999
- Opening hours: 09: 00-18: 00
On the territory of Japan in a small town of Hakone there is a real islet of pre-war French Provence, where the museum of the Little Prince (The Little Prince Museum) is located. It is dedicated to a literary character from the work of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, whom millions of children and adults know and love.
Description of sight
The fairy tale was written in 1943 and since then it fascinates readers with its secret meaning, and the famous phrase: "We are responsible for those who have tamed ..." became "winged" in many languages of the world.
The official opening of the institution was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the writer and was held in 1999 with the support of the country's largest television corporation (Tokyo Broadcasting System Television).
The Museum of the Little Prince in Japan contains exhibits dedicated not only to the hero of the work that tame the fox, but also to its author. Here are stored the original photographs, letters and diaries, acquainting guests with the biography of the writer, as well as a large number of thematic paintings and illustrations.
What to see during the tour?
The whole territory has an area of about 10 thousand square meters. m, which also houses a fountain in the form of a protagonist, and the main gate and chapel are stylized under the castle of Saint-Maurice de Ramans, where the author spent his childhood. The spirit of Provence played a big role for Antoine de Saint-Exupery during the writing of the fairy tale. All this was done so that the guests could be transported in the old days and get acquainted with the life of the writer.
In the territory of the complex, souvenir shops, pillars with indexes and French bakeries with stunning pastries were built. Even the covers of the sewer hatch are decorated with illustrations from the work. And during the rain, visitors are given umbrellas with the logo of the establishment.
Here is a theater with an interior in the form of a desert planet, as described in the work. Actors are happy to play fairy-tale characters and introduce the museum's guests to the life of the Little Prince, however, the narrative is only in Japanese.
If during the tour you are tired and want to relax, then visit the French restaurant. The menu offers fish, chicken, pork and organic vegetables. Around the cafe is a garden with a landscape, thought out to the smallest detail. It is comfortable to be at any time of the year.
Features of visit
The Museum of the Little Prince is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, the last visitors are allowed at 17:00. The cost of admission is:
- for adults - about $ 13;
- children from 4 to 14 years inclusive - $ 6;
- schoolchildren from 15 years old, students and people over 60 years (if there is a document confirming the age) will pay about $ 10.5;
- toddlers up to 3 years old - free of charge.
At the entrance visitors are given a "route sheet", which shows the plan of the complex. During the tour it is necessary to mark certain places, and on the way out for this you will receive a small souvenir. The institution is especially attractive for holidays such as Valentine's Day and Christmas, when it is originally decorated. By the way, it is not allowed to photograph expositions in the museum.
How to get there?
From Tokyo , you can come here by car on the expressway Tomei or Kanagawa No. 1. The distance is about 115 km.
If you travel by public transport , you should first get to the Hakone Yumoto metro station and then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Bus express express bus to Kawamukai Hoshi no Ouji-sama no Museum Mae. Time spent on the way to the Museum of the Little Prince in Japan, takes up to two hours.