21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa is a municipal museum in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, devoted to contemporary art. It was designed by the architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA and opened in 2004.

The building’s circular plan and extensive glass façades create an open, permeable series of galleries that host rotating exhibitions and site-specific installations. Notable works include Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool,” which creates the illusion of people standing beneath a shallow pool of water, and a programme of contemporary Japanese and international art.

Conceived as part of a cultural redevelopment around historic Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, the museum opened in 2004 to provide a contemporary counterpoint to the city’s traditional heritage sites. Since opening it has developed a reputation for experimental exhibitions and architecture-driven displays.

The museum is located in central Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, within walking distance of Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle and served by local public transport.

• Design and opening: Designed by the architectural firm SANAA and opened in 2004, the museum is known for its circular plan and contemporary installations.

What to See #

• "Swimming Pool" installation: A permanent installation by Leandro Erlich that appears to create a shallow swimming pool over a transparent surface, widely photographed by visitors.
• Circular galleries and exhibition spaces: The museum's circular plan contains multiple small and large galleries designed to accommodate temporary exhibitions and site-specific works by contemporary artists.