Hilma

Where Hilma would send you

1. 1 Higashi Chaya District Landmark Sep 12
   Higashi Chaya District

   ★★★★★ Hilma's pick

   The largest of Kanazawa's three chaya districts, with 90 teahouses at its peak — four still operating. Walk it at dawn for the lattices and rain chains, or at dusk for the lanterns.

   Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
2. 2 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa Attraction Sep 12
   21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

   ★★★★★ Hilma's pick

   SANAA's circular glass museum — enter from any direction, walk under The Swimming Pool, stand in Eliasson's colour room. The free courtyard zone is worth a visit even if you skip the galleries.

   1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8509, Japan
3. 3 Oyama Shrine Landmark Sep 12
   Oyama Shrine

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   A Shinto shrine dedicated to the first lord of Kaga, with a gate that mixes Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch architecture — including stained-glass windows and a lighthouse top. One of the strangest gates in Japan.

   11-1 Oyama-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0918, Japan
4. 4 Hakuichi Higashiyama Store Shop Sep 12
   Hakuichi Higashiyama Store

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   Gold-leaf workshop where you can lacquer a box or mirror (book ahead) — or just try the gold-leaf soft-serve. The city makes 99% of Japan's gold leaf.

   1-15-4 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
5. 5 The Noto Series: Hitoshi Ushijima & Hiraki Sawa — With a Landscape Event Sep 12
   The Noto Series: Hitoshi Ushijima & Hiraki Sawa — With a Landscape

   Sep 8 – Apr 18

   ★★★★★ Hilma's pick

   An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum responding to the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake through two artists' landscape work. Starts September 2026, runs through April 2027.

   1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8509, Japan
6. 6 Walking, Staying — Collection Exhibition Phase 2 Event Sep 12
   Walking, Staying — Collection Exhibition Phase 2

   until Oct 18

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   A collection exhibition at the 21st Century Museum exploring how contemporary art inhabits space. Phase 2 runs through mid-October 2026.

   1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8509, Japan