Photo: sergejf / CC BY 2.0The museum opened in October 2004, and its own site says its aim is to create new culture and liven up the town. That makes it unlike the other sights in Kanazawa: contemporary and free to wander. The public zone is open 9:00 to 22:00 every day except the New Year holidays.
The famous piece is Leandro Erlich's 'The Swimming Pool'. From above it looks like a pool of water; down below you stand in a dry space under it. The underground part needs an exhibition ticket and a same-day waiting-list number, you may stay five minutes, and late arrivals lose their slot. Two current exhibitions (Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa, and NEUTRAL COLORS) are free through 18 April 2027.
The catch is timing in autumn 2026. The Swimming Pool is shut from 19 to 30 October for an exhibition change, the exhibition zone is closed on Mondays, and from 6 May 2027 the whole museum closes for renovation until about March 2028. Check the date of your call first; outside those dates, the free zone still rewards a stop.
Five things the plaques won't tell you
- Take the Swimming Pool waiting-list number first: same-day reservations run 9:00–17:30, and to 19:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, online or at the machine by the information desk at the Honda Street entrance.
- Late arrivals have their reservation cancelled automatically. Stay within sight of the museum once you have a number.
- The Swimming Pool entrance is inside the collection exhibition area, so buy an exhibition ticket first.
- Closed Mondays, except the temporary opening on 26 October 2026; the following day, 27 October, is closed.
- Plan around the 2027 renovation: the museum is closed 6 May 2027 to about March 2028.
Two current exhibitions (Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa, and NEUTRAL COLORS) are free through 18 April 2027.
Guided days from Kanazawa
Booked before you sail — there is no tour desk at the pier. Booking through these links supports the site.
More in Kanazawa
Questions people ask here
Is the 21st Century Museum free?
The public zone (9:00–22:00) is free and so are the two current exhibitions by Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa and the NEUTRAL COLORS show, which run to 18 April 2027. The collection exhibition, which includes the Swimming Pool, is a paid ticket.
Can I visit the Swimming Pool when my ship is in Kanazawa?
Yes, unless your call falls between 19 and 30 October 2026, when it is closed. You need a collection exhibition ticket and a same-day waiting-list number, and you may stay five minutes underground. The museum closes on Mondays.
Is the museum closing?
Yes for renovation: the museum's notice gives 6 May 2027 to about March 2028 (planned). After that date nothing here will be open.