21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa

Fans of modern art will really enjoy the 21^st Century Museum of Contemporary Art 金沢金沢21世紀美術館 in Kanazawa. The building itself is architecturally interesting, and the exhibits appeal to all ages.  The outside is round with glass walls and five entrances, giving it a welcoming feel.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Many of the areas are free to visit, including several major installations including a room with a ceiling open to the sky and a special pool that seems like you are standing under water. The philosophy is to encourage visitors to experience art with all their senses, touching and sitting and learning to appreciate modern art.

The Swimming Pool at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa (photo: nhayashida/flickr)

In addition to the permanent exhibit, there are special exhibitions which have an entrance fee within the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum is clean and well set up for visitors with special needs; there are stroller and wheelchair rentals, nursing rooms, an art library, restaurant and museum shop.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

The free areas are open from 9 am to 10 pm. The special exhibits and building are open from 10 am to 6 pm, but are closed on Mondays, or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday. They are open until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission prices to the exhibits vary greatly, so check the schedule for what is showing during your visit.

Exhibit at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa (photo: detsugu/flickr)

You can get to the 21^st Century Museum of Contemporary Art on several bus lines. One of the simplest is to take bus #3 from the East Exit Bus Terminal of Kanazawa Station. Get off at the Hirosaka Ishiura Jinja-mae stop; it is a 1-minute walk from there. It is quite close to Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenroku-en Gardens and makes an interesting cultural and artistic contrast to those sites.

 

Address is 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0962, Japan

For more information: http://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/

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