A Mosaic of Contemporary, Award-winning Buildings
Kanazawa is well known for its historical legacy and well-preserved districts, and its contemporary architecture pays homage to this past through design, creating a bridge from past to present. This close proximity of contemporary architecture and the historic landscape is one of the characteristics of Kanazawa
D.T. Suzuki Museum
Learn about the life and teachings of Kanazawa’s most famed philosopher
Known around the world, Daisetz Suzuki – also known as D.T. Suzuki – is one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist philosophers. His essays and teaching were incredibly influential in spreading Buddhist philosophy to the West.
Born in Kanazawa, the philosopher is commemorated in city through the D.T. Suzuki Museum. The museum is located in the area of the city where D.T. Suzuki was born and comprises three wings – the Entrance Wing, the Exhibition Space Wing and the Contemplation Space Wing – as well as three gardens – the Vestibule Garden, the Water Mirror Garden and the Roji Garden.
In addition to containing many exhibits relating to the life of D.T. Suzuki, the museum also serves as a place of reflection for visitors as they contemplate his teachings.
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts shows 36 designed traditional crafts in Ishikawa, such as Wajima-nuri lacquerware, Kutani porcelain, Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing.
There are the permanent exhibition and the special exhibition, and the museum shop which sells daily items handmade by local artisans.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
A hub for contemporary art in Kanazawa
Opened in 2004, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa stands out compared to more traditional art museums. The museum features a captivating disc-like design, as if it were a UFO touching down in the middle of Kanazawa. All the walls are made of glass and the building features five gates, all pointing towards different parts of the city.
The museum exhibits experimental contemporary art that visitors can touch or sit on and is perfect for children and adults alike. Some of museum’s highlights include commissioned works, which are integrated into the building’s unique design.
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art excels at offering visitors unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Highlights include Leandro Erlich's The Swimming Pool, which enables visitors to feel as if they’re standing at the bottom of a swimming pool, and a wall decorated with flowers gathered from the suburbs of Kanazawa.
Additionally, the museum's shop offers a wide variety of products, such as museum memorabilia, accessories, and selected goods.
