Or the Beauty overdose.

OK : I think I have added this place to the list of the places I prefer in the world. It's just amazing. If you have a chance, you really have to go and see Chokoku no Mori Museum, at Hakone, 2h30 by Odakuy lines from Shinjuku station (details below). The perfect destination for a summer week-end. You're not going to regret it, even if, like me, you don't especially fancy contemporary art - there, the way the pieces of art are displayed is so perfect, so beautiful... I really got a shock contemplating these unexpected shapes, especially in the nature, like this... like gods, or fairies... wow. Have a look !

So, this is the concept : about 120 works by famous scuptors from all over the world - Japanese, American, Canadian, Italian, French, Hungarian, Argentine... among others, from Rodin to Niki de St Phalle - are hiding in the nature. You just have a stunning walk and enjoy every corner of every bush.

Hakone amazing landscape

I had the feeling my eyes were not wide enough for all this beauty, or maybe my brain.

Aesthetic shocks

Nature is female, and so is inspiration, if you trust the many curvy figures of this amazing museum.

Women

There were also many funny stuff in this park, it was not about being serious all the way long.

UFOs

The best play-ground ever, designed by a Canadian artist. But why is it always reserved for the kids ?? Great artists, let us adults have fun too ! Make it more resistant !

The stars of the Museum

Achille Talon et la Main du Serpent

At the end you don't know anymore who is here to be watched, and who is the public.

Family visiting

Lovers...

And also Van Gogh.

Finally, my very favourite parts. The first work is called Symphonic Sculpture (by Gabriel Loire) ; it was a tower you enter in to discover the one of most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Colors, colors, colors - and light. It reminds you the most joyful side of churchs, of faith, of customs and traditions, but at the same time this is something else, this is only pure beauty.

The second one gives a radically different atmosphere, but I liked it so much too : a kind of white paradise, between the Japanese stone-gardens and the contemplatio of the sea. As it was in a gallery, the air was a bit cold, and it suited the art works perfectly.

You got it, you absolutely have to go an see by yourself if you live in the surroundings of Tokyo. I guess that the Museum changes wonderfully with the seasons, and it's opened 365 days from 09:00 to 17:00. Want to taste a bit of contemporary sculpture in Japan ? Chokoku no mori !

Chukoku no Mori Bijutsukan - Hakone Open-air Museum

Admission : 1600 yen (adult)

Access : Shinjuku JR station > Odakyu Line to Odawara station > Hakone Odakyu Line in the direction of Gora, to Chokoku no mori station (total : about 2h30 by train, 1500 yen)

後ろ髪をひかれる

Ushirogami O Hikareru

The hair pulled from the back

Dedicated to K.

WATCH THIS !

I'm beautiful in my way

Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regrets

Just love yourself and you're set

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born this way

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born to survive !

To the terrible, powerful sea that swept the landscape away

To the cruel sea that took so many lives

To the exhausted sea we spoiled with oil, garbage, radioactive water

You are so, so beautiful. Please forgive us, teach us, bless us.

There is a beautiful project called "Tsunami - Pictures for Japan" here.

People are invited to draw something about the tsunami that stroke the Eastern coast of Tohoku region on Friday, March 11th 2011 - preferably something dealing with hope, or compassion. The best pictures are published on the website, and the best of the best will be sold for the association Give2Asia.

Mine has not been selected, but it really doen't matter. You can watch amazingly beautiful atworks on this website, and I hope they will raise a huge amount of money with their project. Japan needs all the goodwills and all the help people can provide !

Here is my picture : a little mermaid has been rejected by the tsunami among the ruins of a village near Sendai (click to enlarge).

Please support this beautiful project talking about it around you, and (why not) participating !

This little picture is for my family and friends who are freezing in France.
A wave of snow invited itself in Paris and because nothing was ready for it, everyone is stuck where they are - when it's home, it's fine...
So please have a look at it and remember that before being a boring stuff that prevent you to go where you want to go, snow is the most beautiful thing in the world. I know, it's easy to say from my sunny Tokyo...

今のパリは雪が強く降っています。早いから皆はびっくりしました。そして特に大きい雪で、乗り物は色々な問題があります。少し大変ですが、雪はきれいではないでしょうか。
雪を浴びんでいる家族や友達のことを考えています！