20 Museums in Ishikawa worth your time

Explore relocated Edo period buildings, many designated cultural properties, at this open-air museum.

What it is

• A municipal history museum in Kanazawa City.
• Opened in September 2010.
• Preserves Edo period buildings relocated from various places.
• Located in the Yuwaku Onsen hot spring resort area.

What to see

• Old Taga Family Front Gate, a city cultural property.
• Old Matsushita Family Residence, a national important cultural property.
• Old Yamakawa Family Residence, a prefecture cultural property.
• Old Nagai Family Residence, a city cultural property.
• Old Sabanami Honjin Ishikura Family Residence, a national important cultural property.
• Old Hirake Family Residence, a prefecture cultural property.

Official site

www.kanazawa-museum.jp

Read more about Kanazawa Yuwaku Edomura

A museum dedicated to inventor Benkichi Ohno, showcasing karakuri dolls and technology.

What it is

• A memorial museum in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Built in 1996.
• Commemorates inventor Benkichi Ohno's achievements.
• Explains Ohno Town's relationship with karakuri.

What to see

• Main building with a hopper-shaped structure.
• Exhibits of karakuri dolls, telescopes, and pistols.
• Displays on Benkichi Ohno's biography.
• Exhibits on karakuri technology.
• Children's experience building.

When to go

• Bi-monthly karakuri workshops in the children's building.

Getting there

• Accessible by Hokutetsu bus from Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market.

Official site

ohno-karakuri.jp

Read more about Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa Port Ohno Karakuri Memorial Museum

Explore a recreated geisha house and local history museum, offering a glimpse into Kanazawa's past.

What it is

• A municipal history museum, archive, and cultural facility.
• Opened in April 1996.
• Recreates the original structure of Yoshionerou.
• Yoshionerou was the setting for Shimada Seijiro's novel "Chijo."

What to see

• A two-story Japanese-style house.
• First floor exhibits items related to Shimada Seijiro.
• Second floor displays folding screens and lacquerware.
• Second floor displays fans and shamisen.
• Admission is free.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Nomachi Station on Hokuriku Railroad Ishikawa Line.
• 5-minute walk from Hirokoji bus stop.

Official site

www4.city.kanazawa.lg.jp

Read more about Nishi Chaya Shiryokan Museum

Explore a modern library complex, including a historic archive building and a children's library.

What it is

• A public library in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Opened in 1930 as Tairei Kinen Kanazawa City Library.
• Main building designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, completed in 1978.
• Incorporates a former Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation factory.

What to see

• Main library building designed by Yoshio Taniguchi.
• Annex: Archives of Modern History Records, a cultural property.
• The annex preserves 100,000 historical materials.
• Modern architectural movement building certification from 2019.
• Kanazawa City Tamagawa Children's Library, opened in 2008.

Address

石川県金沢市玉川町2番20号 Map

Official site

www.lib.kanazawa.ishikawa.jp

Read more about Archives of Modern History Records, Kanazawa City Tamagawa Library

This museum showcases Ishikawa's arts and crafts, including a National Treasure, demonstrating Japan's cultural history.

What it is

• Art museum with over 4,000 pieces of Ishikawa arts and crafts.
• One of the oldest regional art museums in Japan.
• Founded in 1959, current building opened in 1983.

What to see

• National Treasure on permanent display, six Important Cultural Properties.
• Kutani ware, Kaga yūzen textiles, gold-decorated lacquerware.
• Decorative swords, horse tack, ceremonial palanquin, Buddhist sutras.
• Tea ceremony implements, noh masks and costumes, calligraphy tools.
• Modern oil paintings and photography by contemporary Ishikawa artists.

Address

〒920-0963 　石川県金沢市出羽町2-1 Map

Official site

www.ishibi.pref.ishikawa.jp

Read more about Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

Explore the life and works of author Tokuda Shūsei in his hometown museum.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to author Tokuda Shūsei.
• Established in 2005 by Kanazawa City.
• Located near Shūsei's birthplace.

What to see

• Exhibition rooms on the first and second floors.
• Shūsei's manuscripts and personal belongings.
• A reproduction of Shūsei's study from Tokyo.
• A literary salon on the second floor.
• An observation deck at the entrance.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Getting there

• Located by the Umenohashi bridge.
• Next to the Asanogawa River.

Read more about Tokuda Shūsei Kinenkan Museum

See preserved trains and ride a trolley at this free railway museum.

What it is

• A railway preservation and exhibition facility.
• Opened on April 26, 2002.
• Annexed to the Ishikawa Prefectural Ogoya Mining Museum.
• Exhibits materials related to the Ogoya Railway.

What to see

• Three vehicles are statically preserved in the exhibition hall.
• A steam locomotive, a railcar, and a passenger car are exhibited.
• A 100m electric trolley train is on the premises.
• Ride wooden freight cars pulled by a battery locomotive.

Getting there

• About a 25-minute drive from Komatsu Station.

Official site

www.city.komatsu.lg.jp

Read more about Poppo Train Museum

Step back in time at this museum, showcasing toys and vehicles from Japan's early Showa era.

What it is

• A museum in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Opened on April 28, 2007.
• Exhibits about 10,000 items.
• Focuses on toys and vehicles from early Showa to 1960s.

What to see

• First floor: passenger cars and a recreated shopping street.
• Second floor: domestic toys, magazines, and records.
• Outdoor vehicle exhibition hall.
• Outdoor fire engines and passenger cars.
• Outdoor three-dimensional figures of Astro Boy and Tetsujin 28-go.

Getting there

• 50 minutes by car from Noto Airport.

Official site

toymuseum.jp

Read more about Wakura Shōwa Museum and Toy museum

See decorated kiriko lanterns up close, with festival videos and music, at this museum.

What it is

• Museum dedicated to kiriko lantern floats.
• Kiriko festivals started as early as 1646.

What to see

• Seven large and 24 smaller kiriko lanterns.
• Lanterns painted with auspicious characters and images.
• Festival videos and traditional festival music.
• Ramp to view lanterns from above.
• Observation area with views of Wajima Port.
• Replica of a 30-meter-tall straw torch.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Kiriko festivals held July to October across the peninsula.

Official site

wajima-kiriko.com

Read more about Wajima Kiriko Art Museum

Explore space and UFOs at this unique museum, a short walk from Hakui Station.

What it is

• A space science museum in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Opened in July 1996.
• A NASA special cooperation facility.
• UFO producer Junichi Yaoi is honorary director.

What to see

• Space exhibition room and cosmotheater (planetarium).
• Vostok-type return space capsule from the Soviet Union.
• Numerous actual items provided by NASA.
• Extensive UFO-related materials.
• Large hall with a Bösendorfer concert piano.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Hakui Station on the Nanao Line.

Official site

www.hakui.ne.jp

Read more about Cosmo Isle Hakui

Explore Ishikawa's natural history and scientific heritage for free.

What it is

• A natural history museum and cultural facility.
• Opened in May 2006.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• Permanent, planned, and special exhibitions.
• Experimental specimens from the former Fourth High School.
• A fault stripping specimen.
• A taxidermied golden eagle.
• Full-body skeletal specimens of an elephant and a horse.
• Over 700 physics experiment devices from Meiji to early Showa periods.

When to go

• Hands-on events like nature observation and practical training are held.

Official site

www.n-muse-ishikawa.or.jp

Read more about Ishikawa Museum of Natural History

Seisonkaku is a large villa showcasing blended Japanese and Western architectural styles and artisanship.

What it is

• Large villa on the edge of Kenrokuen Garden.
• Built in 1863 by the 13th lord of the Kaga domain.
• Constructed for his mother in her retirement.

What to see

• Architectural style blends Japanese and Western elements.
• Colorful openwork carvings and painted screens.
• American-made chandeliers and Dutch painted glass.
• Sliding shoji panels with glass for snow viewing.
• Walls and ceilings with bright colors or cedar wickerwork.
• Rooms named for animal motifs, like Tortoise and Butterfly Rooms.

Official site

www.seisonkaku.com

Read more about Seisonkaku

This museum showcases historical artifacts from the wealthy Honda samurai family, offering insight into their lifestyle.

What it is

• Museum of the Honda family, richest samurai family of Kaga domain.
• Dedicated to the samurai lifestyle and grandeur of the Honda family.
• Housed in a former red brick military arsenal.

What to see

• Historical artifacts from the Honda family.
• Collection includes helmets, katana swords, and horse armor.
• Building is a former military arsenal made of red brick.

Getting there

• Connected to the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History.
• Located in Honda no Mori Park.

Official site

honda-museum.jp

Read more about Kaga-Honda Museum

Celebrate baseball legend Matsui Hideki's career, from high school to MLB, with memorabilia and family insights.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to baseball player Matsui Hideki.
• Opened in 1994 by Matsui Hideki's father.
• Renamed in 2005, formerly Matsui Hideki Yakyu no Yakata.
• Operated by Office Ruri under Ruri Church.

What to see

• Uniforms from Seiryo High School to the Athletics.
• Memorabilia from the Yomiuri Giants.
• Memorabilia from MLB teams.
• New main building designed by Hideki's brother.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Official site

www.hideki.co.jp

Read more about Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum

Mugen-an is a historic Shoin-zukuri style building showcasing Kaga's architectural and craft techniques.

What it is

• A Shoin-zukuri style building.
• Built in 1912 by Akira Yokoyama.
• Designated an Ishikawa Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.
• Managed by the Mugen-an Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.

What to see

• A wooden single-story structure.
• Approximately 150 square meters in floor area.
• A 36-tatami Shoin-zashiki room.
• A 20-tatami adjacent room.
• Showcases Kaga's architectural and craft techniques.

When to go

• A cafe opened on April 21, 2023.

Address

〒922-0127　石川県加賀市山中温泉下谷町6 Map

Official site

mugenan.com

Read more about Mugen-an

Train Park Hakusan: a museum dedicated to Shinkansen trains, offering unique views and exhibits.

What it is

• Museum in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Exhibits Shinkansen trains and parts.
• Opened on March 13, 2024.
• Official name: Hakusan City High-Speed Railway Visitor Center.

What to see

• First floor displays actual Shinkansen parts.
• Third floor has large three-dimensional play equipment.
• Fourth floor allows viewing Shinkansen maintenance.
• Fifth floor offers views of Shinkansen trains.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Kaga-Kasama Station.

Address

石川県白山市宮保町2828番地1 Map

Official site

train-park.com

Read more about Train Park Hakusan

Explore Ishikawa's history in three historic red brick warehouses, a designated National Important Cultural Property.

What it is

• A history museum for Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Opened in 1968 as Ishikawa Prefectural Local Museum.
• Reopened in 1986 at its current location.
• Known as "Ishikawa Red Brick Museum" with Kaga Honda Museum.

What to see

• Three former army arsenal warehouses.
• Buildings constructed between 1909 and 1914.
• Buildings designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1990.
• Selected as one of the 100 Public Buildings in 1998.
• Adjacent to the National Crafts Museum.

Address

石川県金沢市出羽町3-1 Map

Official site

ishikawa-rekihaku.jp

Read more about Ishikawa Prefectural History Museum

This literary museum in historic buildings celebrates mountain culture, offering unique exhibits and a tranquil cafe.

What it is

• A literary museum and exchange facility.
• Dedicated to mountain culture.
• Opened in 2002.
• Buildings are registered tangible cultural properties.

What to see

• A corridor, lounge, and exhibition rooms.
• Library called "Kyuzan Sanbo."
• Cafe called "Chosansanbo."
• Gate completed in 1910.
• Two-story stone and wood exhibition room.
• Two-story wooden main building.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Address

〒922-0067　石川県加賀市大聖寺番場町18-2 Map

Official site

yamanobunkakan.com

Read more about Fukada Kyūya Mountain Cultural Museum

Japan's first national craft museum on the Sea of Japan side, showcasing traditional and modern crafts.

What it is

• First national museum on Japan's Sea of Japan side.
• Opened October 25, 2020, as National Crafts Museum.
• Operated by the National Museum of Modern Art.
• Houses approximately 1,900 craft and design works.

What to see

• Two buildings registered as tangible cultural properties.
• New reinforced concrete exhibition room.
• Important Cultural Property Suzuki Chokichi's Twelve Hawks.

Getting there

• Located in Hondanomori Park in Kanazawa City.

Read more about National Crafts Museum

See aircraft up close and try flight simulators at this free aviation museum.

What it is

• Aviation museum in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Opened in November 1995.
• Only aviation museum on the Sea of Japan side.
• Ishikawa Prefecture owns the facility.

What to see

• Helicopters and fighter jets on permanent display.
• YS-11 flight simulator available.
• Flight control simulator available.
• Former government aircraft VIP room on display.
• Children's area 'Boonbun World'.

Getting there

• Located north of Komatsu Airport.

Official site

www.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp

Read more about Ishikawa Aviation Plaza