21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Home 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Guide to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa In the historic city of Kanazawa, famous for samurai streets and traditional gardens, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art stands out as a bold circle of glass and light. For first-time visitors to Japan, this museum is a gentle, inspiring introduction to contemporary Japanese creativity, presented in a way that feels playful rather than intimidating. Opened in 2004 and designed by the internationally acclaimed architectural duo SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa), the museum is known for its transparent, circular building, immersive installations, and strong focus on interaction between art, space, and everyday life. It is widely considered one of Japan’s must-see contemporary art museums, alongside Naoshima’s art islands and Tokyo’s major galleries. Why Visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art? The 21st Century Museum is ideal for travelers who want to b

Higashi Chaya District

Home Higashi Chaya District Higashi Chaya District: A Timeless Geisha Quarter in Kanazawa, Japan Step into Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa and you step straight into old Japan. Wooden lattice townhouses, narrow stone lanes and the soft glow of lanterns create a scene that feels lifted from a period drama. For first-time visitors to Japan, this is one of the easiest places in the country to feel the atmosphere of the Edo era without leaving a modern city. Located in Kanazawa, on Japan’s central Hokuriku coast, Higashi Chaya was once a licensed geisha entertainment district where the elite came for refined evenings of music, dance and conversation. Today, it is carefully preserved and open to everyone, offering cafés, craft shops, museums and a few still-active teahouses. It’s an ideal half-day or full-day visit, especially if you are combining Kanazawa with Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. What Is a “Chaya” District? In Japanese, chaya literally means “teahouse,” but in the historical sense i

Kenrokuen

Home Kenrokuen Kenrokuen Garden: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to One of Japan’s Great Gardens For many first-time visitors to Japan, Kyoto’s temples or Tokyo’s neon streets are the main draw. Yet in Kanazawa, on the Sea of Japan coast, lies one of the country’s most exquisite places to experience traditional Japanese aesthetics: Kenrokuen Garden. Widely recognized as one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens,” Kenrokuen offers a living lesson in landscape design, seasonal beauty, and quiet everyday culture. This guide explains what makes Kenrokuen special, how to enjoy it through the seasons, and everything you need to know for an easy, rewarding visit. What Is Kenrokuen? Kenrokuen is a vast strolling garden built and refined over nearly two centuries by the powerful Maeda clan, feudal lords of the Kaga domain. The name “Kenrokuen” literally means “Garden of the Six Qualities.” It comes from classical Chinese landscape theory, which says the ideal garden should harmonize six elements: Spaci