Kanazawa is a city on the western coast of Japan and has been rising in popularity as a stop for 2 - 3 days as people make their way around the New Golden Route (also known as the Hokuriku Arch). The city has a vibrant cultural scene, offers quick and easy access to nature, and is a great hub location to use to visit more out-of-the-way places like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama.
There are dozens of museums in Kanazawa, which makes it difficult to get a sense of where to even start. Well, worry not! We've prepared a list of the best museums in Kanazawa so you can make the most of your time in this wonderful city, known as the Jewel of Japan!
Art and Craft Museums
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
© Asako Fujikura
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a world-leader in modern art and, undoubtedly, the absolute must-see of any museum-lover's journey around Kanazawa. The museum features local, Japanese and international artists in heavily-curated exhibits.
The most famous exhibit, Swimming Pool, by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich, offers a unique perspective where you can stand under the water. Seen from above, it looks like you're walking along the bottom of the pool. The museum has plenty of other interesting pieces, including rotating special exhibits guaranteed to be an enjoyable 1 - 2 hours.
Opening Times: 09:00 - 18:00
Admission: Typically around JPY 1200, but varies.
- National Crafts Museum
Next on the list of must-see museums has to be the National Crafts Museum. This was originally in Tokyo, but was relocated to Kanazawa to highlight the region's rich history of traditional crafts. It has a collection of over 10,000 items which cycle through the displays.
Shown in the pictures above is the world-famous Pokemon X Kogei exhibit which debuted in Kanazawa before going on a tour across Japan and, now, internationally.
Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:30
Admission: Depends on exhibit, but usually around JPY 900
- Prefectural Museum of Art
The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art showcases both traditional and modern art and crafts by local artists. Some of the pieces date back to more than 600 years ago. The museum has a collection of over 7000 items, including beautiful paintings of ancient landscapes, extremely emotive depictions of geisha and samurai, and exquisite crafts in local styles.
The museum is very cheap at only JPY 370 per person and, although it is quite small, it boasts a high-quality collection and is in a great location near Kenrokuen Garden if you need to get out of the summer heat, autumn rains or winter snows!
Opening Times: 09:30 - 18:00
Admission: JPY 370
- Taniguchi Museum of Architecture
One of Kanazawa's newest museums. The Taniguchi Museum of Architecure is a beautiful building showcasing the work of Yoshiro Taniguchi and his son, Yoshio. Yoshiro was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of Kanazawa. The architect was renowned internationally and is known for having designed several of Kanazawa's most famous buildings.
As Kanazawa was almost completely untouched by World War 2, many of its historic buildings have been well-preserved. The museum also showcases the philosophy of traditional architecture in some of its exhibits.
The museum is located near to the Nishi Chaya Tea District, which also houses the Kanazawa Ninja Weapons Museum and the Doll Museum (also included on this list), and is relatively near to the Katamachi nightlife district.
Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 310
- Ohi Chozaemon Museum
This museum near the Higashi Chaya district is dedicated to one of Kanazawa's most traditional craft's most honoured positions. The Ohi Chozaemon is the highest-ranked craftsman of Ohi-yaki. Traditionally, this was mostly bowls used for drinking matcha. The current Chozaemon, Ohi Toshio, is the 11th head of the practice. While he also creates the traditional porcelain, he is also known for much more artistic works, like the main image shown above, "The Circle of Transmigration."
The museum showcases work from each of the Chozaemon, dating back to 1666 when the family were first scouted to come to Kanazawa by the ruling Maeda family to make tea. The first Chozaemon wanted such a specific taste that he created Ohiyaki bowls to control how the tea was brewed and sat in the bowl.
Opening Times: 09:00 - 17:00
Admission: Adults - JPY 700 (1500 including tea), Children - JPY 500 (1300 including tea)
- Kamu Kanazawa
KAMU is one of Kanazawa's more unique museums, as it is actually spread out across several buildings around the city. It showcases local modern artists working with perspective, light, local materials to make sculptures and even rooms themselves. As KAMU is spread out across the city, we recommend getting their day ticket and seeing some of Kanazawa's most famous sites along the way!
Opening Times: 11:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 18:00
Admission: JPY 2,000, but covers multiple areas.
- Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
Gold leaf is Kanazawa's most famous product, so it's only natural that the museum dedicated to it would be included on this list. The Yasue Gold Leaf Museum is actually one of Kanazawa's smaller museums, though, and can be fully enjoyed in around 20 minutes. That doesn't mean it isn't worth visiting, though!
As it is located on the edge of the Higashi Chaya District, it's a great way to start or end your journey through the area. You can see some of the opulent decorations and clothes the geisha wore, then come to the museum to see how gold leaf is actually made, learn a bit more about its history and see some of the delicate crafts that can be made with it.
Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 310
Historical Museums
- Shima
Shima is one of Kanazawa's hidden gems. This geisha house is completely original and has been used for more than 200 years. It was once one of the most expensive geisha houses in the city, but closed and reopened as a museum in 1920 which is why it's so well preserved.
The geisha house has two performing rooms and a private room which show off the extravagance of the geisha culture. Walking through the tea house, you'll also see the kitchen, the area where the geisha got ready converted into a small matcha cafe, and a room showcasing the elegant lacquerware bowls, plates and cups used by real geisha.
Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:30
Admission: JPY 500
Interested in a guided tour around Shima? Check out our Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha tour. This is the No. 1 tour in Kanazawa and takes you to all of its main areas in just a day! Get your walking shoes on and your camera ready.
Highlights:
- Drink freshly-prepared, high-quality matcha in a traditional teahouse while looking out at a beautiful garden.
- Stroll through Kenrokuen, one of the three "Great Gardens" of Japan - stunning all year round!
- Get guided through the historic Higashi Chaya District and learn about the rich culture of the geisha, Japan's mysterious entertainers.
- Ninja Temple
Myoryuji Temple, more commonly known as the Ninja Temple, is an interesting spot in Kanazawa. Although its name is a bit of a misnomer: Ninja never used and were never involved with the temple. Instead, it is called the Ninja Temple because of it's ninja-like trap doors, hidden compartments and trick perspectives that were intended to catch invaders off-guard.
Ninja Temple also, unfortunately, is quite a pain to actually visit. It requires a reservation which can only be made through phone. The guided tour around the temple, done by staff there, is only given in Japanese. English-speaking visitors are given a leaflet with English information, however.
Opening Times: 09:00 - 18:00
Admission: JPY 2,000
- Ashigaru Museum
This museum showcases how the lowest tier of the samurai caste lived in feudal Kanazawa. Despite being barely above peasants, the Ashigaru had a house big enough for their whole family, including a small garden. The museum is actually two separate Ashigaru houses which have been preserved for nearly 300 years. One of the houses was actually lived in until 1990!
The Ashigaru Museum is located on the cusp of the Nagamachi Samurai District. Walking through the district is an easy way to the famous Oyama Shrine before heading into Kanazawa Castle Park.
Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:00
Admission: Free
- Nomura-Ke Samurai Heritage Residence
Like the Ashigaru Museum above, the Nomura-Ke Samurai Heritage Residence is located in the Nagamachi Samurai District. However, while the Ashigaru Museum highlights the more humble part of the samurai caste, the Nomura residence is the exact opposite. Once one of the richest families in Kanazawa, the Nomura family museum showcases the opulence and financial might samurai could and did wield.
The house is built to highlight its impressive multi-tiered garden, which was once about triple the size. It features wide rooms showing the samurai family's armour, sword and a plethora of gifts they received over generations of service to the Maeda rulers of Kanazawa. Some of those gifts include art done by the Maeda lords themselves.
Opening Times: 08:30 - 17:30
Admission: JPY 550
- Seisonkaku
Speaking of opulence, Seisonkaku is possibly the best-surviving example of the immense wealth that flowed through the city. Built in the 1850s as the retirement home for the mother of Kanazawa's lord, Seisonkaku is a stunning villa filled with detail. Everywhere you look, wealth shines through.
The highlight of Seisonkaku is its famous Ultramarine Room, whose paint is said to have been made from the first batch of ultramarine ever made. It is one of just several studies where the Maeda mother could relax, moving between rooms as she tired of looking at one.
Opening Times: 09:00 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 700
- D.T. Suzuki Museum
The D.T. Suzuki Museum is dedicated to the philosopher and translator Daisetz Suzuki. The image that many Westerners have of Japanese Buddhist monks - living frugal lifestyles, sitting in silent meditation, shaved heads etc. - is largely thanks to Suzuki's writings. He was the first to attempt to translate Buddhist scriptures and teachings into English.
The museum honouring is most famous for its tranquil gardens. Most famous of these is the water mirror garden, shown above. At times, the water ripples, reflecting a Zen Buddhist teaching that we are the ripples over the water. As the ripples bounce off each other, so do we shape our surroundings and get shaped by them.
Opening Times: 09:30 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 310
Off-the-wall Picks
- Kanazawa Ninja Weapon Museum
The Kanazawa Ninja Weapons Museum is a surprise hit for many. The upstairs, which contains the museum, has 160 original artefacts from feudal Japan on display. These include samurai swords, armour and longbows but also mainly focuses (as the name of the museum implies) on the tools and weapons of ninja.
On the ground floor is the shop, where you can buy replica samurai swords to be shipped home for you. There is also an area where you can try your hand at throwing ninja stars! It's quite tricky, but you get a prize if you can hit the bullseye. You may discover that you have untapped potential to become a shinobi!
Opening Times: 10:00 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 800, additional fee for ninja star-throwing experience.
Interested in visiting the Ninja Weapons Museum on a tour? Check out our Experience Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Stars tour, running all year round!
Highlights:
- Try your hand at decorating products with gold leaf, Kanazawa's most traditional craft!
- Make delicious Japanese sweets, shaped into seasonal imagery.
- Shinobi-time! Try throwing ninja stars and learn about the mysterious spies and assassins of feudal Japan: ninja!
- Kanazawa Doll Museum
Situated right beside the Ninja Weapons Museum, the Doll Museum might come off as a little creepy for some at a first glance. Inside, though, it's a treasure trove of delicately designed dolls. Some show samurai warriors in fierce poses, while others depict the noble courts and their followers.
The museum also houses a small cafe with traditional Japanese sweets and offers a doll-painting experience, priced at JPY 1800 for one doll or JPY 3600 for three.
Opening Times: 10:00 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 500
- Kanazawa Phonograph Museum
The Kanazawa Phonograph Museum is one of the largest phonograph collections in Japan, with more than 200 on display, showcasing how they developed over time. The museum also houses more than 20,000 vinyl records from around the world.
There are demonstrations and listening sessions held daily at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:00, where records are played to show how the quality of gramophones could change. While it may not sound particularly exciting, the museum is very interesting and will appeal to any interested in retro machines, music and sound design!
Opening Times: 10:00 - 17:00, closed on Tuesdays.
Admission: JPY 310
- Karakuri Children's Toy Museum
The Karakuri Children's Toys Museum is in a bit of a hard-to-reach location, but may appeal to people who are in Kanazawa on a cruise or have rented a car to get around. The museum has a wonderful variety of wooden and ceramic toys used throughout Japanese. Some are original, while others are recreations.
This museum is a great place to bring children as there are many areas where you can play with the toys, many of which are puzzles, and see how generations of children in Japan entertained themselves!
Opening Times: 09:00 - 17:00
Admission: JPY 600
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there any deals for entry into multiple museums?
Yes! Several museums on this list have some form of combination ticket available for museum-lovers out there! First, the Kanazawa City Cultural Facilities Passport (a mouthful!) costs only JPY 840 for a three-day pass and includes access into 17 museums and displays across Kanazawa, including the Phonograph Museum, D.T. Suzuki Museum, the Gold Leaf Museum and the Old Site of Kurando Terashima's House. Holders of the pass also get discounted entry into the Prefectural Museum of Art, Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts and the Prefectural Museum of History. This pass can be bought at any of the museums on the list and also includes 1-Day and 1-Year variants.
There is also the Kanazawa Cultural Zone pass, which costs JPY 1000 and is valid for two days. Included in the pass is entry into Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park Museum, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Prefectural Art Museum, Prefectural Museum of History, Living Craft Museum, Nomura-ke Samurai Residence, Seisonkaku and the Kaga Honda Museum. More are included and the pass also offers discounts at more than 60 shops or restaurants in the city. The pass can be bought online and gives a QR code which can be shown at the entrance of each facility to get in smoothly!
I only have time to visit one museum in Kanazawa, which should I pick?
That's a hard question! It really depends on what interests you the most. However, we'd recommend the 21st Century Museum of Modern Art if you're into art galleries. If you want to walk around the city, KAMU is a great way to see much of central Kanazawa while enjoying some of the museums. Finally, Seisonkaku is an often-overlooked museum in Kenrokuen and really enhances the garden.
I get it - Kanazawa has a lot of good museums. What else is there in the city?
Kanazawa is much more than just museums. Our "Things to Do in Kanazawa" page has everything you need to get started! The city is located conveniently between the mountains and the sea, so there is easy access to either scenery. If you're looking for a beach day, check out our "Best Beaches in Kanazawa" page to pick the best beach for you! Nature types might be interested in our "Best Spots for Autumn Leaves Around Kanazawa" guide for fall foliage photography! If it's not just museums, but shrines and temples that you're interested in, you should have a look at our "Best Goshuin near Kanazawa" to get more info about the red stamps that are growing in popularity. Foodies can't miss out on our "Kanazawa's Famous Foods" guide - it'll help you learn more about the local food and where to eat it. If you're looking to come to Kanazawa in the winter, you might be interested in "Best Ski Resorts Near Kanazawa."
Interested in taking a tour? Have a look at our "Best Tours and Itineraries Around Kanazawa" page to get ideas of what the area has to offer. After you've seen and done all there is to see and do, our Best Souvenirs page will help you pick out the best things to take home as a memento of your time in this amazing city!
