D.T. Suzuki Museum
The D.T. Suzuki Museum (—é–Ø‘åÙŠÙ, 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 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 (–{‘½’¬, around 15 minutes, 200 yen one way) from where the museum is about 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. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.5 km from Kenrokuen Garden. At the hotel, all rooms include a balcony with a garden view. All guest rooms in HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast. HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA offers 4-star accommodation with a hot tub. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kanazawa Station, Ishikawa Ongakudo and Kazuemachi Tea House Street. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from HOTEL 101 KANAZAWA.View on Booking.com -
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Machiya Guest House CartaFeaturing 2-star accommodation, Machiya Guest House Carta is set in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and 1.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. With a garden, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. At the guest house all rooms have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Machiya Guest House Carta include Myoryuji - Ninja Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum and Nakamura Memorial Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel SuiteINOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite is located 600 metres from Kanazawa Station. Free WiFi is provided in all rooms. The property offers private parking. Featuring a balcony, all rooms have a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kitchen with an induction stove, a fridge and a microwave. Each room has a living room, toilet and private bathroom with a TV. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 29 km from INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite.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 with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi all rooms have bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi include Kanazawa Station, Ozaki Shrine and Kanazawa Phonograph Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from the hotel.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 hotelfs 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 Stationfs 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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so, KANAZAWAFeaturing 3-star accommodation, so, KANAZAWA is situated in Kanazawa, 1.9 km from Kanazawa Castle and 600 metres from Kanazawa Station. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. All units at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. At so, KANAZAWA each room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Ishikawa Ongakudo, Ozaki Shrine and Kanazawa Phonograph Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from so, KANAZAWA.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-minutesf 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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UTAIMACHIFeaturing 3-star accommodation, UTAIMACHI is located in Kanazawa, 1.4 km from Kenrokuen Garden and 2.5 km from Kanazawa Station. With free WiFi, this 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.5 km from Kanazawa Castle. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At UTAIMACHI all rooms include bed linen and towels. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near UTAIMACHI include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 34 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com -
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UAN kanazawaUAN kanazawa is located a 5-minute walk from Musashigatsuji/Ohmicho Ichiba Bus Stop and Omicho Market. JR Kanazawa Station is 12 minutes by bus from the property, while Kanazawa Castle is 13 minutes on foot. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. A wheelchair accessible room can be found at this property. Each room at this hotel is air-conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. There is a complimentary handy Smartphone and desk in all the rooms. Enjoy a cup of tea from your terrace or patio. Every room comes with a private bathroom with a bath and high-tech toilet, with slippers provided. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. Yukata robes are also provided for the comfort of guests. A Japanese or Western-style breakfast featuring local specialities is available upon prior request. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. The property offers free soba noodle at night. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property and free luggage storage is available. Guests can work out free of charge at the hotel's fitness gym. Kenrokuen Garden is a 15-minute walk from UAN kanazawa, while Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is a 15-minute bus ride away from the property. The nearest Airport is Komatsu Airport, a 55-minute bus away.View on Booking.com -
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K's House Kanazawa - Travelers HostelSet in Kanazawa and with Kanazawa Castle reachable within 1.8 km, K's House Kanazawa - Travelers Hostel offers a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. The property is close to Nakamura Memorial Museum, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. The hostel provides certain units with city views, and every room includes a kettle. The units feature bed linen. Popular points of interest near K's House Kanazawa - Travelers Hostel include Kenrokuen Garden, Myoryuji - Ninja Temple and D. T. Suzuki Museum. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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