Conveniently located in the center of many of Kanazawa’s cultural institutions such as Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, the 21^st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is one of Japan’s finest modern art museums. It is also a top five museum in terms of attendance in Japan. The museum exhibits works by both Japanese and international artists, including a permanent collection and special/temporary exhibitions. The museum focuses on the “democratization of art,” “many voices of harmony,” “taking on the challenge of creating the future” and “synergy, and understanding that connection.” You will definitely either be moved or surprised by the diversity of modern art installations throughout the museum.

The museum is famous for its installation of Leandro Erlich’s ‘Swimming Pool’, which allows visitors to walk into the artwork where they appear to be underwater to onlookers. Public areas of the museum are open from 09:00 to 22:00 while paid-entry/exhibition spaces are open from 10:00 to 18:00 (or until 20:00 on Friday and Saturday). Admission varies depending on the exhibition but is usually around JPY1200. If you want to experience the modern art without even going into the building itself, there is art all around it. The grounds surrounding the museum has a number of interesting exhibits such as the Color Activity House, which allows you to explore how different colors interact with each other; Wrapping, a metal balloon-like structure meant to be played in; and Klangfeld Nr.3 für Alina, twelve pipes that connect different parts of the park underground that allow you to communicate with others. The entire museum from outside to in is just waiting to be discovered.

Kanazawa is quite friendly for those who are walking around the city and there are many sites that are within a 5-20 minute walk of Kanazawa Castle. It directly adjoins Kenrokuen Park at its entrance which also is next to the daimyo villa of Seisonkaku and Ishiura shrine, famous for its pond and tunnel of torii gates. The Higashichaya Teahouse District, Oyama Shrine, DT Suzuki Museum, and Kazuemachi Geisha District are all also within a comfortable walk and help you dive even deeper into this fascinating city.

Are you interested in a guided tour around this beautiful city? See the castle, garden, geisha district and many of the other sites mentioned above and all in one day!

KANAZAWA MAIN SIGHTS TOUR / all year round

1 Day Tour

1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:00 – 17:30
Meeting Place	Kanazawa Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000

This tour has you walk in the same streets as those from times past. Walk the streets the samurai of the Kaga clan and see a warriors house from the Edo period. Relax and enjoy maccha in a tea house overlooking a beautiful garden next to the impressive castle walls. Stroll through the Kenroku-en garden like the daimyos of the Edo period and admire the artistry of the landscaping of not just the land but of the trees as well. Finally, walk through Higashi Chayamachi, the old geisha district, where you can shop, snack and take a tour of a former tea house that was used by actual geisha in the past.