Kanazawa’s 21st Century Museum: Where Tradition Meets Modern Art

Kanazawa is known as a city that retains a strong sense of Japanese history and culture. In particular, traditional crafts such as gold leaf(金箔), Kutani(九谷) ware, and Kaga Yuzen(加賀友禅), which have been handed down since the Edo period, are still carried on today by many artisans. With this cultural background, Kanazawa has established a reputation as a ‘City of Culture and Crafts’(文化・工芸の街) and in recent years has also focused on ‘Cultural Tourism’(文化観光) offering unique cultural experiences to visitors from both Japan and abroad. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art(金沢21世紀美術館), Kanazawa plays a central role in this effort.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, opened in 2004 and specializes in contemporary art. It is located in the Hirosaka area of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. The museum aims to make contemporary art accessible and to create a new culture in the historical city of Kanazawa. The museum building itself is distinctive, with a circular structure and a glass exterior. It was designed by the architectural firm SANAA, led by Kazuyo Sejima(妹島和世) and Ryue Nishizawa(西沢立衛), and its open design embodies the concept of a ‘park-like museum open to the city’.

This concept of an ‘open museum’(開かれた美術館) involves the democratization of contemporary art, meaning that it is open not only to the citizens of Kanazawa, but also to a diverse range of visitors from both Japan and abroad. The current director, Yuko Hasegawa(長谷川 祐子), has made the democratization of art her primary mission and aims to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. She hopes that visitors to the museum will feel something from the art, contemplate it within themselves, and link it to new actions and the creation of knowledge.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa also upholds the principles of ‘polyphony’ and ‘diversity’. This means that the museum is a place where people from diverse cultural backgrounds can come together and create harmony while respecting their individuality. This philosophy is fitting for Kanazawa, a city where tradition and modernity merge. Furthermore, the museum remains ‘future-oriented’, presenting new perspectives and methods through contemporary art and constantly exploring the possibilities of the future.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa itself was designed with an awareness of ‘interaction and mutual symbiosis’ with the citizens of Kanazawa. The circular building is open in all directions and designed to be easily accessible from every direction. This design symbolizes the idea that the museum and the city will grow alongside each other – the city is the museum, and the museum is the city.

Additionally, the museum features unique permanent exhibitions, such as Leandro Erlich’s The Swimming Pool and James Turrell’s Blue Planet Sky, offering visitors a novel experience of contemporary art. These works are integrated into the museum’s architecture and spaces, truly embodying the concept of an ‘open museum’.

Access to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is very convenient. It is a 20-minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station and is located in the center of Kanazawa, surrounded by other tourist attractions such as Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. When taking the bus, board the bus bound for Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art from Kanazawa Station and get off at the Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art bus stop(広坂・21世紀美術館), where you will soon arrive at the museum entrance.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is a place for the creation and development of new culture in Kanazawa, a city steeped in history and culture. When visiting Kanazawa, be sure to visit this museum and experience the world of contemporary art. You will discover new perspectives along with the scenery of Kanazawa seen through the transparent glass of the museum.

Map and Access

Address: 1-2-1 Hirosaka Kanazawa Ishikawa Japan 920-8509