I knew about Enoura Observatory the moment I learnt about Hiroshi Sugimoto from one of his artworks in Leeum Museum. I just have to include Enoura in my itinerary. Enoura Observatory located in Odawara, just about an hour by trains. Since I’ll be going to Hakone anyway, I decided to stop by in Odawara, just for this museum.
I admire Hiroshi Sugimoto works, especially his photography artworks. He displays the seascape series, where he displays it in Enoura as well. In Enoura, it contains art gallery (seascape), stone stage, optical glass stage, tea house, gardens, gates, fossil cave, tunnel and lots of stones. The purpose is to bring an overview of Japan’s architectural history.
How to get to Enoura Observatory
If you’re from Tokyo or elsewhere, you should take a train to Odawara first. From Odawara, you can either book a ticket together with the free shuttle bus or without. If you book it with free shuttle, you should get to Nebukawa Station. If you book it without the free shuttle, you still need to go to Nebukawa Station. Once you arrived in Nebukawa, you have to take the bus (public transport) to Enourakominkan Bus Stop.
I booked my ticket with the free shuttle, because I was bus in small city is not as often. Secondly, if you book the ticket it means you secure your place. For your information, this museum is really strict with the amount of people coming. It’s definitely not like louvre because Hiroshi Sugimoto promised personal space for the visitors. So I strongly recommend you to book rather than do a walk-in.
What to Do in Enoura Observatory
I can assure you this is not like any museums I’ve visited. It’s more about the atmosphere that Hiroshi Sugimoto want to create. He chose this particular area because he has a fond memory with Odawara. The best time to visit Enoura is during solstices or equinoxes times because some of the architectures are made to observe those nature events. Because I visited Enoura during spring time, the flowers bloom and I got to witness oranges ready to be harvest.
When you arrive in this place, you will be taken to the receptionist area. Then they will give you a brief explanation of the complex, the dos and don’ts and your time limit in here. Then you are free to roam around Enoura area, as long as you follow the rules. I was too excited to be here to the point where two hours is not enough to indulge the Hiroshi Sugimoto’s world that he created.
Map Itinerary
I think I heard this quote somewhere “everything that Japanese people do, they do it with purpose” or like everything they do, it has a story behind it. I’m not sure it’s applicable to everything that the Japanese do, but in Enoura it definitely is. Every objects in here has a story behind it and a meaning. It’s amazing how Enoura is created by looking back to the past and forward to the future.
I hope you enjoy this little post of my admiration towards Enoura Observatory
