Recommended for such people
・ I want to feel like France
・ There are too many tourist facilities in Hakone, so I don't know where to go.
What is the Little Prince Museum?
The Little Prince Museum is the only museum in the world based on the world-famous novel "Little Prince Museum".
It opened in 100 in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, to commemorate the 1999th anniversary of the author's birth of Saint-Exupery.
This time, we will introduce a museum dedicated to the Prince of the Stars, which continues to be loved around the world.
About the Prince of the Stars
"Prince of the Stars" is a novel published in the United States in 1943, and is a big bestseller with a cumulative total of over 1 million copies sold worldwide.
The total number of Harry Potter universes in the world is 1 million, so you can see how popular it is.
(The cumulative number of copies isWikipediaThan)
To summarize the characteristics of this novel in one word, I think it is "written for adults who were once children."
Should I read the novel?
Of course, those who have read the novel in advance can enjoy the museum.
But even if you haven't read it, you can enjoy it as a "wonderful European place" because there are streets and rose gardens with French motifs.
I visited in November so I couldn't see many flowers, but seasonal roses and tulips are in bloom from April to October.
Whose translation do you recommend?
The Prince of the Stars has translated books from various publishers.
I recommend Yumiko Kurahashi or Mariko Kawano.Or you can borrow one from your local library.
(I read Yumiko Kurahashi's translation)
The most famous translation is that of Iwami Shoten's Naito Arō, who had monopolized the translation rights for nearly 50 years, but I personally didn't agree.
About the author Saint Exupery
The author, Saint-Exupery, was originally an airplane operator.
The story of the Little Prince begins when the protagonist crash-lands in the desert, but the author has also been in distress in the Sahara Desert.
The author continued walking for three days and survived, but the experience at that time is utilized in the novel.
There are many motifs reminiscent of airplane riders in the museum, so take a look carefully.
He is a lifelong pilot and goes on a reconnaissance trip during World War II.
I was 44 years old.
Saint-Exupery has been loved by the French people even after his death, and has been adopted as a design for French banknotes.
(Although it is now unified into Euro banknotes and disappears)
Introduction to the museum
Let's introduce the museum.
At the entrance, "Asteroid B612", the hometown of the prince, is on display.
French cityscape
The museum recreates France, the hometown of the author Saint-Exupery.
To be honest, I don't really understand the French style, but the scenery is European.
In the show window, flowers and things related to the author are displayed.
Exhibition inside the building
In the hall, exhibitions about the Prince of the Stars will continue. (No photo because shooting is prohibited)
If you haven't read the Prince of the Stars, you might be wondering, "What is the rose in this glass? A beauty and a beast?", So it may be difficult to enjoy it.
(I.e.
It reproduces the church of Saint-Maurice de Remans Castle, where the author spent his childhood.
It was possible to take a commemorative photo inside.The flowers are amazing.
It's a little confusing, but the stained glass on the center also has roses and stars.
garden
There is also a French garden in the back.
Even though I visited in November, the Christmas tree was already prepared.
Illuminations are also held in winter.
About lunch in the park
The Little Prince Museum has a restaurant.
The menu is also lined with interesting names such as "Asteroid Volcano Demi-glace Hamburger" and "Desert Well Spicy Curry" that are inspired by the work.
Time required and congestion
It takes about 1 hour.If you are a big fan of the Little Prince, you need more time.
I don't think it will be crowded.
Business hours, prices, and great discounts
| Opening hours | 10: 00-18: 00 (varies depending on the season) | |
| Closing days | 2 Wednesday | |
| Fare | Adults 1600 yen, high school students 1100 yen, elementary and junior high school students 700 yen | |
| Official Website | Business hours / charges(Please check the latest information) | |
A set ticket with the "Hakone Glass Forest Museum" near the Little Prince Museum is recommended because it costs about 500 yen.
Access
| Address | 250 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 0631-909 | |
| Phone | 0460-86-3700 | |
| bus | ・ 30 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus from Hakone Yumoto Station (for Kojiri Togendai) ・ 18 minutes by bus from Gora Station to the tourist facilities (for Shisseikaenmae) | |
| Number of parking spaces and parking fees | Number of parking lots: 112 Parking fee: 1 yen a day, large vehicles over microbus: 300 yen a day | |
| Official Website | Visit information(Please check the latest information) | |
It is best to go by Hakone Tozan Bus from Hakone Yumoto Station in terms of time.
You can also use the Hakone Freepass, which is economical.
Hakone Freepass: Official Website
Map
Finally
The Little Prince Museum is more of a facility for fans of novels.
However, we are also focusing on the garden, so it may be okay to visit for flowers.
(Especially from June to July, the rose garden seems to be in full bloom)
If you liked reading a novel when you were little, you can enjoy it even more if you read it again and then go.