21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

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21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

The artistic town, Kanazawa, offers a variety of participation-oriented modern art for everyone to enjoy.

3.77 5

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Since its opening in 2004 with the theme of “An art museum open to the world,” it has grown into the nation’s most popular museum that made the name, Kanazawa, tied to art with the unique exhibition methods. The piece that captures light from the cut-out ceiling, a swimming pool in the yard which is actually a room to look up through the glass ceiling with water on top, and a host of artistic pieces that “suggest new values” will entertain you. The hall is geared to help visitors see, feel and experience the art work.

The uncommon building was designed by a team of architects, SANAA, upon the concept of “a museum open to the city like a park.” It has no front door, built in a circular shape, stretching horizontally toward the city. Utilizing a lot of glass, the space is designed to help people in different zones sense each other in wondrous ways.

The hall is divided into an interacting zone and an exhibition zone. You can visit the art gallery, theater and library. Part of the permanent exhibition is open to the public for free. Different themes are on display in the exhibition zone from time to time.

Highlights

  • New ways of enjoying art besides just looking at.
  • The displays in the interacting zone are free to see.
  • Wheel chairs, strollers for rent and multi-purpose restrooms available.

Photos

  • Swimming Pool: It feels like looking up from inside a swimming pool (by Leandro Erlich / 2004) 
Photo by Osamu Watanabe 
Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

    Swimming Pool: It feels like looking up from inside a swimming pool (by Leandro Erlich / 2004) Photo by Osamu Watanabe Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

  • Blue Planet Sky that whispers to human senses (by James Turrell / 2004) 
Photo by Jun Nakamichi / Nacasa & Partners
Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

    Blue Planet Sky that whispers to human senses (by James Turrell / 2004) Photo by Jun Nakamichi / Nacasa & Partners Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

  • Designed by a team of architects, SANAA, upon the concept of “a museum open to the city like a park”  
Photo by Koji Ishikawa 
Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

    Designed by a team of architects, SANAA, upon the concept of “a museum open to the city like a park” Photo by Koji Ishikawa Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

  • Enjoy a variety of sceneries through glasses at the Color Activity House (by Olafur Eliasson/ 2020) ©2010 Olafur Eliasson 
Photo by Keizo Kioku 
Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

    Enjoy a variety of sceneries through glasses at the Color Activity House (by Olafur Eliasson/ 2020) ©2010 Olafur Eliasson Photo by Keizo Kioku Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

  • Green Bridge (by Patrick Blanc / 2004)  
Photo by Atsushi Nakamichi / Nacasa & Partners
Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

    Green Bridge (by Patrick Blanc / 2004) Photo by Atsushi Nakamichi / Nacasa & Partners Photo provider: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Reviews

5

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  • Many of the exhibitions are designed to be very interactive, encouraging everyone to participate instead of just looking. It's more than just a viewing experience.

    This museum is really fun and full of contemporary art. Definitely worth a visit.

  • The way they use light and space here is really interesting. It's a pretty impressive place.

  • The installation art swimming pool is really something! It separates the pool into upper and lower sections, making it look so real that you might get fooled. The visual effect is amazing. No wonder it's such a popular spot for social media photos.

  • You don't necessarily need to buy a ticket to go inside—the architecture outside is so interesting, you could spend a long time just admiring it.

Details

Name in Japanese
金沢21世紀美術館
Postal Code
920-8509
Address
1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa
Telephone
076-220-2800
Closed
Mondays, the end of year, New Year’s Day (the end of year and New Year’s Day for the interacting zone)
Hours
Exhibition Zone: 10:00am - 6:00pm, Interacting Zone: Depends on facilities. Check the official website.
Admission
Free (To enter the exhibition zone, a ticket is necessary * Prices vary depending on exhibitions)
Directions
From JR Kanazawa Station, ride Kanazawa Loop Bus to Hirosaka/21st Century Museum, and walk 1 min.
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official Website (English)