The D. T. Suzuki Museum was opened in 2011 to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of Suzuki Daisetz Teitaro (1870-1966) an important Japanese Zen philosopher who was born in Kanazawa. He translated Japanese Zen texts and spread zen to the Western world. The site is located in a residential neighborhood about a block from his former home, close to the 21st Century Kanazawa Art Museum and the famous Kenroku Garden.

The museum is not only a place to learn about Suzuki’s life and thinking, but in its structure it puts Zen thought into practice.Outside the museum is a Contemplative Space and Water Mirror Garden designed by the architect, Yoshio Taniguchi. This garden is arguably the museum’s most important feature as its clean and simple design physically embodies the abstract beauty of Suzuki’s teachings and in there area where visitors can sit quietly and meditate.  The museum is not very big, but is well worth visiting as a place to learn more about Zen and also to enjoy the graceful modern architecture.

The path to enter the building requires crossing a section of common residential area. Unlike other buildings, which are located in a relatively public part of the city, the image displayed at the entrance of the building is very low-key and harmonious with the atmosphere of the residential area. There is a small square at the entrance. In the group building, the "entrance building" of the three building volumes is displayed in front of us. The other two buildings are called the "Show Building" and the "Thinking Building", which are organized together by the linear flow of the building's cloisters to complete a walk of "Zen".

The museum has two main parts: interior and exterior. Inside the museum is an exhibition space dedicated to the life of D. T. Suzuki. A prolific writer and translator, Suzuki wrote over 100 books in English on the subject of Zen Buddhism. His work played a major role in introducing Eastern philosophy to the Western world and deeply influenced many Western writers, philosophers, poets, and musicians.

 In the museum’s exhibition area you can learn about his life and writings through photographic displays, and memorabilia, and English information is provided throughout. Interactive touch screens provide more information and there is a learning area where you can read his books in English as well as Japanese.