21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is a striking circular glass building designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa). The museum has no front or back, with entrances on all sides, embodying the concept of openness and accessibility. The building features both free public zones and paid exhibition areas. The most famous permanent work is Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool, which creates the illusion of people standing underwater when viewed from above. The free public zone includes outdoor installations and several interior works that can be enjoyed without a ticket. Located in the center of Kanazawa's cultural district, adjacent to Kenrokuen Garden, the museum is accessible by bus from Kanazawa Station.