D.T. Suzuki Museum
The D.T. Suzuki Museum (鈴木大拙館, Suzuki Daisetsu Kan) is a museum commemorating the life and works of Suzuki Daisetz Teitaro (1870-1966), a prominent Buddhist philosopher. The museum was opened in 2011 in the district of Kanazawa where Suzuki was born, a ten minute walk from Kenrokuen. On display are exhibitions showcasing the writings of D.T. Suzuki which allow visitors to learn more about his life and philosophy. In addition, the architecture of the museum serves as an interpretation of D.T. Suzuki's life and religious scholarship; its use of clean, simple lines and open spaces causes visitors to pause and reflect.
D.T. Suzuki was a prolific writer who was instrumental in introducing Japanese Zen philosophy to the west. Having spent much of his early life living and studying at Engakuji Temple in Kamakura, he wrote mainly about Zen Buddhism and its relation to and influence on everyday life. Suzuki was also proficient in English, Chinese and Sanskrit in addition to Japanese, and translated various religious texts and scholarly articles.
Designed by architect Taniguchi Yoshio who also designed the Heisei Chishinkan in Kyoto and the Horyuji Homotsukan in Tokyo amongst others, the architecture of the D.T. Suzuki Museum lends a hand in conveying the serenity that comes with Zen philosophy. From the unassuming entrance to the overall architecture and interior, there is a sense of tranquility that can be felt throughout the museum. Despite its small area, the museum has three buildings connected by corridors built around a large flat pond at their center called the Water Mirror Garden. There is also a garden around the grounds which visitors can enter.
Another feature of the museum is the Contemplative Space, consisting of a large room with openings on all four sides, which extends out into the Water Mirror Garden. There are seats in this space where visitors can take time to meditate and think over their thoughts whilst looking out over the water. In addition, a learning space at one end of the museum has English and Japanese books written by Suzuki for visitors to read; iPads for multimedia learning; as well as a large window that looks out into a garden.
Getting there and around
The D.T. Suzuki Museum is a stop along the Left Loop of the tourist-oriented Kanazawa Loop Buses. Frequently departing Hokutetsu buses also provide access between Kanazawa Station and the D.T. Suzuki Museum. Get off at the Hondamachi bus stop (本多町, around 15 minutes, 210 yen one way) from where the museum is a five minute walk away.
The museum can also be reached in about a ten minute walk from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. And a walking trail in the garden of the D.T. Suzuki Museum provides a shortcut to the nearby Kanazawa Nakamura Museum and the Prefectural Museum of Art.
How to get to and around Kanazawa
Hours and Fees
Hours
Closed
December 29 to January 3
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Kanazawa
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HOTEL 101 KANAZAWASet in Kanazawa, 2 km from Kanazawa Castle, HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Offering free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel has a hot tub. At the hotel all rooms include air conditioning, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom and a balcony with a garden view. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA include Kanazawa Station, Saigen-ji Temple and Kokyo-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 32 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House PongyiLocated in Kanazawa, 2.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden, Guest House Pongyi provides recently renovated accommodation with free WiFi and a terrace. It is set 2.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and offers a shared kitchen. The property is close to popular attractions like Kozen-ji Temple, Gankei-ji Temple and Senko-ji Temple. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a shared bathroom and a well-fitted kitchenette including a microwave, toaster, fridge and a stovetop. All units are equipped with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with river views. The units include bed linen. There is a coffee shop on-site. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Popular points of interest near Guest House Pongyi include Kanazawa Station, Fukunen-ji Temple and Hosho-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 31 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Machi no OdoribaSet 2 km from Kanazawa Castle, Machi no Odoriba offers 3-star accommodation in Kanazawa and features a garden. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath, or enjoy garden views. The units come with air conditioning, an oven, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a terrace, a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Popular points of interest near Machi no Odoriba include Kanazawa Station, Saigen-ji Temple and Kokyo-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 32 km away.View on Booking.com -
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YamanooFeaturing 3-star accommodation, Yamanoo is situated in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden and 2.9 km from Kanazawa Station. This ryokan provides free private parking, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property offers allergy-free units and is located 1.8 km from Kanazawa Castle. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Kanazawa ZoushiSet in Kanazawa and within 1.4 km of Kanazawa Castle, Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi has a shared lounge, allergy-free rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All guest rooms feature a wardrobe. Guests at Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kanazawa Station, Saifuku-ji Temple and Gankei-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 31 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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UTAIMACHISet in Kanazawa within 1.5 km of Kanazawa Castle and 1.4 km of Kenrokuen Garden, UTAIMACHI offers accommodation with free WiFi, seating area and a kitchen. The 3-star ryokan has garden views and is 2.5 km from Kanazawa Station. The accommodation provides luggage storage space and a concierge service for guests. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. At the ryokan, units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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SumiyoshiyaOffering free Wi-Fi and free-use bicycles and in-room Japanese meals, Sumiyoshiya is a traditional Japanese-style hotel. It features a garden, hot public baths and coin-operated laundry facilities. A free-use internet PC is available at the lobby. Rooms feature paper sliding doors, Japanese futon bedding and a seating area. All come with an LCD TV, a tea/coffee maker and a sink, and some have a private bathroom. Sumiyoshiya offers laundry services, luggage storage and free parking. A Japanese and a Western breakfast are served in the hotel’s dining room, while Japanese dinners featuring local ingredients can be enjoyed in either the guest room or the dining room. Sumiyoshiya is a 10-minute walk from Kenroku-en Garden, and a 15-minute walk from both JR Kanazawa Station’s East exit and the historical Higashi Chaya-machi district. Omicho market is only a 1-minute walk.View on Booking.com -
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Machiya Guest House CartaOffering a shared lounge and garden view, Machiya Guest House Carta is set in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and 1.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Featuring a garden, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the guest house, each unit is equipped with a tatami. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Myoryuji - Ninja Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum and Shofukaku Garden. Komatsu Airport is 32 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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HanaakariSet in Kanazawa and within 2 km of Kanazawa Castle, Hanaakari has a garden, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Kenrokuen Garden is 2.5 km away and Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is 3.9 km from the hotel. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hanaakari all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kanazawa Station, Saigen-ji Temple and Kokyo-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from Hanaakari.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan YamamuroLocated a 5-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station, Ryokan Yamamuro offers Japanese-style guestrooms with free WiFi. Omicho Market and Kanazawa Castle Park can both be reached with a 5-minute walk. Guests can stroll around the Higashi Chaya District, a historical entertainment district with various shops, located a 8-minute walk away from Yamamuro Ryokan. Kenrokuen Garden is 10-minutes’ away on foot while the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a 15-minute walk away. Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is a 10-minute drive from the property. With heating and air-conditioning facilities, rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and feature Japanese futon bedding. One room comes with a private bathroom. Free services offered at the property include luggage storage, newspaper and daily maid services.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Kanazawa
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Stay at an Inn in Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya District and Enjoy an Elegant Evening With GeishaSpend a night at Maki no Oto Kanazawa, an intimate four-room inn in Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya District, offering the charm of a traditional machiya townhouse. After dinner, you’ll visit a teahouse that's typically hard to access, guided by the owner of Maki No Oto Kanazawa, who has close ties to the district. Experience Japanese culture through traditional parlor games with a geisha.View experienceSponsored
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Samurai Town Private Full Day Tour in KanazawaDive deep into the history of Japan’s samurai in this informative private tour of Samurai Town in Kanazawa!View on Klook -
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Kanazawa Kimono Kental by Kimono Rental Wargo Kanazawa Korinbo storeChange into a kimono and go sightseeing in Kanazawa!View on Klook -
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