In 2005, in addition to the strikingly beautiful scenery, the therapeutic thermal waters, and the existing luxury galleries, the Hakone «Rene Lalique» Museum opened with Japan's largest collection of works by the famous French designer and jeweler.

Rene Lalique has a special place in the history of world art. He began his career at the end of the 19th century as a jewelry designer. Unlike his colleagues, who focused on precious stones and metals, Lalique did not limit himself to them. The young jeweler focused on stunning design rather than expensive and pretentious materials and eventually made a name for himself all over the world. In the future, he did not stop at creating only jewelry. The famous French jeweler took a different way: he greatly expanded the scope of his activities, turning to the manufacture of glass products and interior decoration.

The unique artistic view of the author began to take shape at the beginning of his career. On the one hand, he was strongly influenced by the aesthetic cult of Japanism, which penetrated European design in his youth, and on the other – the sculptural works of his contemporaries. At the same time, the merit of Lalique himself is that he managed to combine Art Nouveau and Art Deco in his works.

Today, the Rene Lalique Museum in Hakon displays all the roles of the famous artist. A distinctive feature of the institution is the interior and the way it is exhibited. Works of art are presented across time and national borders but on their own themes. At the same time, each object under the display case lies in its luxurious case, allowing visitors to appreciate it in all its glory and not be distracted by other exhibits. As for the interior of the museum, it transports guests to a 19th-century Parisian salon. The entire space – from the overall design to the smallest details – recreates the environment in which Rene Lalique lived and created.