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A circular museum with no front door, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art invites you to explore, interact, and reflect—just steps from Kenrokuen Garden.

A circular outdoor art installation at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art features tall, curved glass panels in blue, yellow, and red. Children play inside as colorful light and reflections dance on the ground, framed by trees and buildings in the background.

Art That Feels Alive

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (金沢21世紀美術館) sits right next to Kenrokuen Garden. We recommend visiting both together. It’s one of the most popular places in Kanazawa—not just for art lovers, but for anyone drawn to design, creativity, or architecture.

The building feels different from the start. It’s a low, circular structure made entirely of glass. There’s no front entrance. You can walk up from any side and step right in. The architects at SANAA designed it to feel like a public park—open, accessible, and welcoming. And that’s exactly the experience it delivers.

Inside the Museum: Playful, Unexpected, and Always Changing

A rectangular art installation resembling a swimming pool with clear blue water, set in a minimalist courtyard surrounded by glass walls and a concrete floor at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.

Unlike traditional museums, there’s no permanent collection here. Instead, the museum features rotating exhibitions from both Japanese and international artists. Some are deeply immersive. Others are minimal and thought-provoking.

The most famous piece is probably “The Swimming Pool” by Leandro Erlich. From above, it looks like a shallow pool of water. But from below, it feels like you’re standing underwater, looking up through a shimmering surface. It was surreal—and a huge hit with our kids.

Art Inside and Out

Seven metallic, circular sculptures with three legs each are arranged in a circle on a grassy area in a park near the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, with trees and houses in the background.

One of our favorite things about this museum is how the art spills outside. Even if you don’t buy a ticket to enter the exhibitions, you can still enjoy many outdoor sculptures and installations. We loved wandering through the courtyards and discovering pieces tucked between trees or hidden along glass walls.

Planning Tips

  • Go early if you can. It gets busy, especially on weekends and holidays.
  • Check exhibition schedules in advance. Not all galleries are open every day.
  • Some exhibits are outside, so bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the weather.
  • Kids are welcome. There are areas where children can explore freely and interact with art in playful ways.

How to Get to 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Bus

  • From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus (RL or LL) and get off at Hirosaka (RL8 or LL8).
  • Total travel time: About 20 minutes.

Taxi

  • From Kanazawa Station, a taxi takes about 10 minutes and costs around ¥1,200 to ¥1,500.

Pro Tip: The museum is right next to Kenrokuen Garden, so it’s easy to visit both in one trip.

Is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Worth Visiting?

Yes, we think it’s worth stopping by—especially if you’re already visiting Kenrokuen Garden. How long you spend really depends on how much you enjoy contemporary art. Our family had fun exploring the unique exhibits and appreciated that the museum was so kid-friendly. It’s a creative, relaxed space that invites curiosity at any age.

More to Explore Nearby

After exploring the immersive exhibits at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, take time to visit these nearby Kanazawa highlights: