21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kazanawa, Ishikawa Prefecture is a museum featuring the works of contemporary artists from all over the world. Designed by architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in 2004, the museum has a circular form with no main entrance or exit to discourage visitors and tourists from viewing the artworks from just one direction. The museum had over 1.5 million visitors within one year after opening, quickly establishing itself as one of Japan's most popular art museums. The museum is located near other Kanazawa landmarks, including Kenroku-en garden and the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art.

The museum features various spaces, including a community gathering area, library, lecture hall, children's workshop, and exhibit grounds. The exhibit areas features diverse galleries with a range of subjects and pieces. The museum also features rotating exhibits, typically with one to two temporary exhibits at a time.

Arguably one of the most famous exhibits on display at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool interactive exhibit. When looking into the pool, the people inside appear to be underwater, despite no water present. For a small admission fee, travelers can enter the pool to get a view from the bottom looking up. This exhibit continues to amaze tourists and social media alike with it's mind-bending visuals.

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