7 Must-Visit Kanazawa Museums in 2026: Local Curator's Guide to Contemporary Art & Traditional Culture with Hidden Gems
Kanazawa, which flourished as a castle town approximately 400 years ago, is a popular tourist destination with many historic landmarks such as Kanazawa Castle and the Higashi Chaya District.
This traditional city is dotted with art spots, including museums showcasing traditional crafts as well as contemporary art museums that have earned international acclaim.
In this Kanazawa Museums 2026 guide, we introduce a diverse range of museums—from contemporary art museums that blend seamlessly into the traditional streetscape, to specialized museums dedicated to Kanazawa's traditional performing arts, and facilities exhibiting works by artists connected to Kanazawa.
We also introduce some hidden art spots popular among locals, so please use this as a reference for your visit.
Table of Contents
-The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Is a Must When Visiting Kanazawa
-Two Recommended Museums Where You Can Experience Traditional Japanese Culture
-Must-See Kanazawa Museums 2026: 2 Recommended Spots for Art Lovers, Popular Even Among Locals
-Kanazawa Museums 2026: Enjoy Art in Tranquil Spaces! The Writer's 2 Favorite Museums
-3 Spots Related to Modern Art in Kanazawa to Visit Alongside Kanazawa Museums 2026
Kanazawa, a City of Culture, Has Many Must-Visit Museums
Kanazawa is one of Japan's foremost cultural cities, where traditional crafts and contemporary art converge. The Maeda Family, who governed Kanazawa approximately 400 years ago, devoted great effort to promoting arts and culture. This tradition has been passed down to the present day, and Kanazawa is known as one of Japan's premier art cities.
Kanazawa boasts many of Japan's finest museums, including the world-renowned contemporary art museum "21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art" and the "Kanazawa Noh Museum," which displays costumes and other items used in traditional performing arts. Below, we introduce in detail the must-see museums that represent Kanazawa.
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Is a Must When Visiting Kanazawa
Source:Wikipedia
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a temple of contemporary art that you absolutely must visit when coming to Kanazawa. The circular glass building designed by the Japanese architectural unit "SANAA" has attracted worldwide attention as an artwork in itself that blends into the traditional cityscape of Kanazawa.
Opened in 2004, this museum operates under the concept of "a museum open to the city, like a park." It primarily displays experiential contemporary artworks and is beloved by locals and tourists from Japan and abroad as a museum enjoyable for everyone from children to adults.
Numerous Modern Art Works Offering Unique Experiences Are on Display
Source:Official website
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art features permanently exhibited contemporary artworks full of creativity and striking visual impact.
For example, one of the museum's most famous works, "The Swimming Pool," is a masterpiece using visual tricks. You can look up at the water's surface from the bottom of a pool that actually contains no water, creating a mysterious communication experience between those looking down from above and those looking up from below.
Please also experience other contemporary artworks such as "Blue Planet Sky," a spatial work using light, and "Colour activity house," which you can enjoy while walking among colorful glass panels.
Many Rare Interactive Exhibits Allow You to Engage with Art
Source:Official website
One of my favorite aspects of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is its wealth of interactive exhibits where visitors can touch artworks or become part of them.
For example, "Klangfeld Nr.3 für Alina," a tuba-shaped installation in the outdoor plaza, consists of 12 tubes connected underground in pairs. The pairs are not necessarily adjacent to each other, allowing you to enjoy the unique experience of hearing your voice echo in unexpected places and hearing voices from unexpected directions.
Please also enjoy interacting with art through other works such as "Wrapping," a pavilion children can play inside, and "Green Bridge," where you can appreciate seasonal plants while walking through a glass corridor.
Many Works Can Be Viewed for Free
Source:Official website
Another point I recommend about the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is the numerous works that can be enjoyed for free. The museum is divided into a "Public Zone" and an "Exhibition Zone," with free admission to the Public Zone.
Even in the free area, you can appreciate popular works that symbolize this museum, such as James Turrell's "Blue Planet Sky" and Jan Fabre's "The Man Who Measures the Clouds." There is also a café and museum shop in the free area, perfect for taking a break between art viewing.
Two Recommended Museums Where You Can Experience Traditional Japanese Culture
Kanazawa offers not only contemporary art but also museums where you can deeply experience the charm of traditional Japanese performing arts and crafts. Here, we introduce in detail two facilities: a museum dedicated to traditional performing arts that developed in Kanazawa, and a national museum specializing in crafts from Japan and abroad.
Kanazawa Noh Museum
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
The Kanazawa Noh Museum is a rare museum in Japan that specializes in displaying materials related to the Kaga Hosho school of Noh, which developed uniquely in Kanazawa within the traditional Japanese performing art of Noh. At this museum, you can view Noh masks and costumes used on stage up close.
My favorite exhibits at this museum include models that meticulously recreate the structure of the Noh stage and backstage areas, as well as tools used in the process of creating Noh masks, allowing you to learn about what goes on behind the scenes.
There is also a corner where you can try on Noh masks and costumes for commemorative photos, letting you feel Kanazawa's traditions firsthand.
This museum also sells museum goods featuring Noh motifs created by Kanazawa craftspeople. It is recommended for those who want to choose traditional Kanazawa crafts as souvenirs.
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Address: 1-2-25 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 10:00–18:00 (Last admission 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
Phone: 076-220-2790
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-noh-museum.gr.jp/
National Crafts Museum
Source:Official website
The National Crafts Museum is the only national museum in Japan specializing in crafts and design works, relocated from Tokyo to Kanazawa in 2020.
It houses approximately 4,000 outstanding works created from the 1900s to the present, including ceramics, dyeing and weaving, lacquerware, wood and bamboo crafts, and graphic design.
An attractive point of this museum is that you can appreciate masterpieces by artists known as "Living National Treasures," representing the best of Japan, such as lacquerware by Gonroku Matsuda and ceramics by Kenkichi Tomimoto.
Many works by artists connected to Ishikawa Prefecture are also displayed, including Kanazawa-born Matsuda Gonroku, allowing you to savor the depth of Kanazawa's craft culture.
Another point I recommend is the historic building, a restored former military facility built approximately 120 years ago. Please fully enjoy traditional Japanese crafts within this traditional architecture that retains the atmosphere of that era.
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Address: 3-2 Dewa-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:30–17:30 (Last admission 17:00)
Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays, Exhibition changeover periods
Phone: 050-5541-8600
Official Website: https://www.momat.go.jp/cg/
Must-See Kanazawa Museums 2026: 2 Recommended Spots for Art Lovers, Popular Even Among Locals
Kanazawa Century Forest Art Museum
Source:Google Maps
Kanazawa Century Forest Art Museum is a private museum that opened in September 2026. Under the concept of "Sharing Ishikawa's art that will endure for 100 years, from Kanazawa to the world," it displays approximately 120 unique works by local Ishikawa Prefecture artists, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, ceramics, and music.
At this museum, you can enjoy different themed works on each floor, from the first to the fifth floor of a small building, all the way up to the rooftop. Many works blend Kanazawa's traditional crafts such as Kutani ware and gold leaf with innovative expressions, allowing you to experience the fusion of traditional aesthetics that live on in Kanazawa with the contemporary sensibilities of local artists.
My personal recommendation is that you can also view works by Yoshinobu Omori, a one-stroke artist from Ishikawa Prefecture who serves as the museum director. Since this museum is located about a 2-minute walk from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, I encourage you to visit both together.
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Address: Hakuichi Building, 1-2-34 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 10:00–17:00
Closed: Monday–Thursday
Phone: None
Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/100mori_museum/?igsh=ejNxemY5ejJuaWNl&utm_source=qr#
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History
Source:Official website
Opened in 1986, the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History is a museum displaying materials related to the history and culture of Ishikawa Prefecture.
The building, a restored red brick structure that once served as an army arsenal, has been designated as an important cultural property by the national government. The museum building itself is a work of art where you can appreciate traditional architectural beauty.
The permanent exhibitions are divided into "History Exhibitions," where you can learn about approximately 15,000 years of history up to the present day and the lives of Ishikawa residents, and "Folk Culture Exhibitions," which introduce festival culture rooted in the local climate.
In the "History Exhibitions," you will find displays that convey the history of the castle town and samurai culture, including armor and weapons of the samurai who contributed to Kanazawa's development and a model of Kenrokuen, a traditional Japanese garden.
If you visit famous sites such as Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen after viewing the exhibitions, you will be able to appreciate each location's charm even more deeply.
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Address: 3-1 Dewa-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays, exhibition changeover periods
Phone: 076-262-3236
Official Website: https://ishikawa-rekihaku.jp/
Kanazawa Museums 2026: Enjoy Art in Tranquil Spaces! The Writer's 2 Favorite Museums
D.T. Suzuki Museum
Source:Wikipedia
D.T. Suzuki Museum is a museum where you can experience the worldview of D.T. Suzuki, a Buddhist philosopher from Kanazawa who spread Zen philosophy to the world.
This museum consists of three wings containing the "Exhibition Space," "Learning Space," and "Contemplative Space," along with three gardens: the "Roji Garden," "Water Mirror Garden," and "Vestibule Garden."
By walking through each space, visitors deepen their understanding of D.T. Suzuki while being encouraged to reflect and think for themselves.
Furthermore, the building itself, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, a master of museum architecture, is also a work of art.
My personal favorite is the "Water Mirror Garden," where the refined linear architecture and nature's seasonal beauty are reflected on the water's surface, creating a mystical scene.
Why not take your time in this serene space to contemplate the Zen spirit of D.T. Suzuki?
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Address: 3-4-20 Honda-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:30–17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), December 29–January 3, exhibition changeover periods
Phone: 076-221-8011
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/daisetz/
Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Museum of Architecture
Source:Official website
Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Museum of Architecture is a museum that introduces the achievements of Kanazawa-born architect Yoshiro Taniguchi and his son Yoshio Taniguchi, as well as Kanazawa's architectural culture.
Yoshiro is known as the designer of "State Guest House, Akasaka Palace Japanese Style Annex・Yushintei," a facility for receiving state guests in Tokyo. At this museum, "Yushintei" has been recreated. In the refined Japanese-style rooms and tea rooms, you can experience Japan's finest traditional architectural techniques.
Additionally, the museum building itself, designed by Yoshio, who also designed the D.T. Suzuki Museum introduced earlier and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, is one of my personal favorites. Please take your time to fully appreciate the techniques of these world-renowned architects representing Kanazawa in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
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Address: 5-1-18 Tera-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:30–17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), December 29–January 3, exhibition changeover periods
Phone: 076-247-3031
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/architecture/
With a Local Guide, You Can Deeply Enjoy Not Only Tourist Spots but Also History and Culture
For those who want to experience more deeply the charm of Kanazawa, a city where long-standing history and traditions live on, I recommend a walking tour led by a guide who knows the area inside out. The "Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour" takes you around Kanazawa's main tourist attractions, including Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen.
On this tour, you can fully experience Kanazawa's history through activities such as strolling through Higashi Chaya District, a traditional townscape with over 200 years of history, and dining while viewing Japan's oldest fountain. With explanations from local guides, you can more deeply appreciate the charm of Kanazawa, where the history of the castle town and the samurai aesthetic sense live on.
Since this tour involves walking over 4 km through Kanazawa, please participate wearing comfortable shoes and clothing.
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Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Musashi-ga-tsuji – Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden area – Higashiyama
Start time: 10:00–
3 Spots Related to Modern Art in Kanazawa to Visit Alongside Kanazawa Museums 2026
Ishikawa Prefectural Library
Source:Good Design Award
Ishikawa Prefectural Library is a modern library that relocated and opened in July 2022. This library has been attracting attention as an art piece in itself, with a space that feels like stepping into a movie.
The massive circular theater-like space designed by architect Mitsuru Senda features a deep ultramarine ceiling and traditional brick-colored pillars, creating a beautiful space where Kanazawa's tradition and modernity converge.
In the circular reading area at the center of the building, approximately 70,000 books are arranged according to 12 themes, including "Experiencing Literature," "Exploring the History of Books," and "Blessings of the Countryside and the Fragrance of Culture: Ishikawa Collection."
The library also displays books about Kanazawa's nature and traditional culture, as well as actual craft items, making it recommended for those who want to learn about Kanazawa's history.
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Address: 2-43-1 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: [Weekdays] Reading Area 9:00–19:00 / Cultural Exchange Area 9:00–21:00 [Weekends & Holidays] Reading Area / Cultural Exchange Area 9:00–18:00
Closed: Mondays (following weekday if Monday is a holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays, Special maintenance periods
Phone: 076-223-9565
Official Website: https://www.library.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp
HIMITO
Source:Google Maps
HIMITO is an atelier operated by peel artist Shunko Saida, who creates art from fruit peels and plants. The fantastical space decorated with over 10,000 dandelion seed heads offers an extraordinary immersive experience, as if stepping into a Studio Ghibli story.
The interior of the atelier is illuminated with soft-toned lighting, with dandelion fluff displayed as if showering down from above. One of my favorite aspects is watching how materials usually discarded—such as orange peels, onion skins, and eggshells—are transformed into beautiful works of art by the artist's hands.
HIMITO is about a 15-minute walk from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, making it recommended for those who want to enjoy an art tour while strolling through the streets of Kanazawa.
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Address: Hakuo Building 1F, 51 Nakagawayoke-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 12:34–16:30 (Closes at 17:00)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone: 076-224-3730
Official Website: https://www.himitokanazawa.com/
KAMU kanazawa
Source:Google Maps
KAMU kanazawa is a circuit-style contemporary art museum that opened in June 2020, featuring multiple exhibition spaces throughout Kanazawa City. Under the theme "Art is a window to see the world," it showcases original works by contemporary artists from Japan and abroad who are active on the global stage.
In particular, "INFINITE STAIRCASE" by Leandro Erlich, famous for "The Swimming Pool" at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, is a must-see. This unique work features a spiral staircase laid on its side, and my favorite part is the mysterious experience of feeling as if you have stepped into the art itself.
KAMU kanazawa also offers other distinctive art pieces, including "Lip Bar" by world-renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama. Please take the opportunity to experience diverse contemporary art while exploring the traditional streets of Kanazawa.
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Address: 1-1-52 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 11:00–18:00 (Closed 12:00–13:00)
Closed: Mondays (Open if Monday is a holiday)
Phone: None
Official Website: https://www.ka-mu.com/
When You Visit Kanazawa, Savor Exquisite Cuisine at Locally Loved Restaurants!
If you are visiting Kanazawa, one of Japan's premier gourmet cities, be sure to try the local culinary delights. The "Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour," guided by a local, lets you enjoy fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, traditional Japanese cuisine, and local sake at hidden gems beloved by locals.
On this tour, you can savor Kanazawa's unique flavors, including sashimi made with seasonal seafood and Kanazawa oden (a hot pot dish featuring simmered eggs, seafood, and vegetables in dashi broth).
Another highlight I recommend is enjoying sake tastings while learning about the local food culture from the guide and bar masters.
This tour also includes a stroll through the traditional samurai residence district. As Kanazawa's climate varies by season—with summer temperatures exceeding 30°C and winter temperatures around 0°C—please dress appropriately for the day's weather.
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Meeting Point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg
Tour Area: Korinbo to Katamachi
Start Time: 18:00–
