We are photographing with special permission.
CAR /
FEATURES
September 28, 2021
Embark on a Journey to Enjoy Art, Nature, and Fine Food with the Fiat 500X Cross | FIAT
Presented by FIATTo a Museum That Inspires Creativity
As they climbed the Hakone mountains on Route 1, Yuhei commented, "I thought it looked big, but it feels compact when driving. It's very easy to drive." Indeed, it navigated the winding mountain roads, which can sometimes be narrow enough to require careful maneuvering, with ease.
"It's easy to gauge the car's width, which is great," Yuhei said, then repeated, "It's easy to drive."
They enjoyed the spirited drive on Hakone's winding roads.
They ascended the Hakone mountains smoothly and arrived at their first destination for the day, the Okada Museum of Art. Opened in the autumn of 2013, this museum permanently displays approximately 450 artworks from ancient to modern times, primarily from Japan, China, and Korea. It is known for housing precious works by artists like Kitagawa Utamaro and Ito Jakuchu, and boasts a vast exhibition space exceeding 5,000 square meters.
Upon arrival, after obtaining special permission to photograph the vehicle against the building, Shiho murmured, "It looks good on the cobblestones."
"The design makes me imagine it driving on European cobblestone streets."
After marveling at the overwhelming scale of the mural on the museum's facade, created by contemporary Japanese painter Kotaro Fukui, the two explored the five-story building.
Golden folding screens are displayed vibrantly in the dimly lit exhibition rooms.
"Wacko Maria," where Yuhei works, is known for its artistic approach to clothing, collaborating with film directors and photographers. Yuhei, who has even used Hokusai's Shunga as a design source, was engrossed in the Hokusai section.
Shiho, on the other hand, who favors the delicate landscape paintings of the Edo period's Rinpa school, said, "Although this is my first visit to the museum, there are many works that interest me, and the spacious layout makes it very comfortable to explore." She was enjoying her time immensely.
After their tour, they relaxed at the footbath cafe, which uses 100% natural hot spring water, discussing their impressions of the museum while gazing at the large mural. The mural, titled "Wind, Time," measuring 12 meters high and 30 meters wide, is a creative reinterpretation of Tawaraya Sotatsu's "Wind God and Thunder God Screens," considered a precursor to the Rinpa school. It took five years, including conceptualization, to complete, and was entirely hand-painted. Shiho, who loves the Rinpa school, gazed at it with a serious expression.
After strolling through the garden, they started the Fiat 500X Cross's engine for their next destination.
Enjoying forest bathing in the Okada Museum of Art's garden, themed "~Spring Water & Tree Vitality~ A Garden Space to Feel the Blessings of Nature." (The garden is currently free to enter due to temporary closure of the mountain stream course.)