Kanazawa 21st Century Museum
One of Japan's most visited contemporary art museums — a circular glass building with no front or back, designed so visitors wander freely through interactive exhibitions. Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool installation lets visitors stand both on top and below the water simultaneously.
1.5–2 hours
Free (community zone). Exhibition fees vary (collection approx. ¥450, special approx. ¥1,200)
Free Public Zone: 9:00–22:00; Exhibition Zone: 10:00–18:00 (Fri–Sat until 20:00), closed Mon.
Year-round
10 min walk from Kanazawa Station
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The "Swimming Pool" by Leandro Erlich — an illusion pool where people appear to walk on water above you
- 2
The circular design has no main entrance — visitors approach and enter from any direction
- 3
Free outdoor zone contains permanent installations open 24 hours
Local Tips
The swimming pool illusion installation ('Swimming Pool' by Leandro Erlich) is the most photographed work — arrive at opening to see it without queues. The circular building has no 'front' entrance — explore freely in any direction. Even the free outdoor zone alone is worth visiting on a weekday afternoon.
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