21st Century Museum Tour

Just a 10-minute walk from OMO5 Kanazawa Katamachi lies the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, one of Kanazawa’s most iconic art destinations. This renowned museum offers an immersive experience of contemporary art that captivates visitors from around the world. With OMO’s unique perspective and insider knowledge, guests can discover deeper insights into the museum's highlights and hidden gems. Join us for a special way to enjoy the museum that goes beyond the surface and connects you with the heart of Kanazawa’s creative spirit.

Led by passionate OMO Rangers who truly love the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, this original guided tour is perfect even for those experiencing contemporary art for the first time. You’ll learn about the museum’s founding story, behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the artworks, and discover hidden spots inside the building. At the end of the tour, a small souvenir will be provided as a token

Enjoy contemporary art in a calm, uncrowded atmosphere right after the museum opens. The serene ambiance of the morning enhances the charm of each piece, creating a deeply immersive experience. It’s also the perfect time for photography—natural light and quiet surroundings allow you to capture the art and architecture at their best.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa—nicknamed “21st Museum” or “Marubi”—opened in 2004 in the heart of Kanazawa City. Designed by the renowned architecture duo SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa), the museum is known for its iconic circular glass structure. With the concept of being “an open museum like a park in the city,” it invites both locals and tourists to stop by casually and enjoy art in a relaxed, public setting.

This permanent sound installation is located in the lawn area of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Tubes positioned at different locations are connected underground, allowing voices to travel through them. Visitors can enjoy a surprising and playful experience as voices emerge unexpectedly from distant points.

Green Bridge is a permanent vertical garden installation at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Standing approximately 4.7 meters tall, the living wall features around 100 species of plants. Throughout the seasons, a diverse array of flowers and greenery create a rich natural landscape visible from the glass corridor, offering visitors a serene connection to nature in the heart of the museum.

Swimming Pool by Leandro Erlich is a contemporary artwork that invites viewers to experience the disjunction between perception and reality through an optical illusion created between the inside and outside of a pool. To view the work from both perspectives, visitors are required to purchase an admission ticket and make a reservation in advance.

The Man Who Measures the Clouds (1998) by Jan Fabre was inspired by the American film Birdman of Alcatraz. The work portrays a real-life individual who, while imprisoned in solitary confinement, became a self-taught ornithologist. The title originates from a line in the film: “I’ll spend my time measuring the clouds.”

This installation features classical floral motifs inspired by Kaga Yuzen, a traditional dyeing technique unique to Kanazawa. The artist studied the Yuzen process on-site in Kanazawa and incorporated these elegant patterns into walls and chairs, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in a sunlit lounge space.

This immersive artwork invites visitors to gaze at the sky through a square opening in the ceiling. It reconstructs the relationship between light, space, and architecture, offering a unique visual experience that shifts dramatically depending on the time of day and changes in natural light.

①Exterior view of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

②Florian Claar, Crankfeld Number 3 for Arena (2004)

③Patrick Blanc, Green Bridge (2004)

④Leandro Erlich, Swimming Pool (2004)

⑤Jan Fabre, The Man Who Measures the Clouds (1998) © Angelos bvba

⑥Michael Lin, Civic Gallery 2004.10.09 – 2005.03.21 (2004)

⑦James Turrell, Blue Planet Sky (2004)

Photos ①②④⑤: © Osamu Watanabe Courtesy of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Photos ③⑥⑦: © Jun Nakamichi / Nacása & Partners Inc. Courtesy of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa