21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa

The 21st Century Museum Of Contemporary Art In Kanazawa, A Round, Glass Walled Museum With Free Public Spaces And A Well Known Underwater Pool Illusion, By The Architects Sejima And Nishizawa. Easy To Combine With Kenrokuen And The Castle. · Kanazawa, Ishikawa

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa opened in 2004 - confirm - and sits in the middle of the city beside Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle. It was designed by SANAA, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, as a round glass building about 112.5 m across - confirm - with no front or back, so people walk in from every side. Public areas such as the lawn, the library, a cafe and a few installations are free, while the main exhibition zones need a ticket. The best-known piece is a swimming-pool illusion in which people appear to stand at the bottom of a pool: viewers on top look down at them, and ticket holders can step into the lower room. Permanent installations include this underwater pool illusion - confirm; the rest of the programme changes with temporary shows. It suits design lovers, families and anyone who wants a modern break between old Kanazawa sights. Allow one to two hours. It is worth the time if you like contemporary art and architecture, less so if you want traditional Japan only. Check closing days first.

1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, a short walk from Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle; a bus from Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan

The museum is commonly open from about 10:00 to 18:00, with a later close on some evenings for exhibitions - confirm. It is closed one weekday, commonly Monday, with the next day closed if Monday is a holiday, and also around New Year - confirm. The free public areas and the paid exhibition zones may have different hours, and last entry is usually 30 minutes earlier. From Kanazawa Station, take a loop bus for about 15 minutes or walk about 30 minutes. Tickets are sold at the door, and the special exhibits may sell timed tickets at busy periods.

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