Hakone Museum of Art. The humid climate of Hakone provides an ideal environment for various types of moss, which can be spotted on ancient trees and throughout the surrounding woods. However, the collection showcased in the garden of the Hakone Museum of Art is truly remarkable. Nestled beneath approximately 200 Japanese maple trees, the garden features around 130 different species of moss, all gathered by Okada Mokichi (1882–1955), the museum's founder and a passionate collector of ancient art from Japan, China, and South Asia. Located in Gora, a region famous for its upscale vacation homes since the 1920s, the museum and its garden have a rich history. After World War II, when land prices were more reasonable, Okada acquired a neglected Japanese-style park that had fallen into disrepair during the war. The park's sloped, narrow layout was shaped by ancient lava flows from the eruption of nearby Mt. Soun, leaving behind large volcanic rocks scattered throughout. Okada rearranged these boulders to fit his vision and meticulously designed the rest of the park. Drawing inspiration from the moss gardens of Kyoto, he collected plants from across Japan until the Gora site was beautifully transformed. The Hakone Museum of Art and its enchanting garden opened their doors in 1952 and continue to exude a unique, almost ethereal charm to this day.