Art Aquarium Lives!

If Japan had a shrine dedicated to goldfish, the new Art Aquarium Museum would be it.

It’s fitting that as you enter the new, permanent home of my favorite summer event, you really feel like you’re stepping into another dimension, a world where goldfish are elevated to art…

and countless varieties of fancy fish are displayed like shimmering jewels in their cases…

while a choreographed play of light and music turns the schools of kingyō into a kaleidoscope of color

The museum is designed to frame glimpses of glories ahead in lovely Japanese ways…

And when you arrive in the next room…

you can’t help but be mesmerized by the every-changing glow

The artfully-designed tanks showcase all sizes and shapes of fish, from this giant “goldfish bowl” filled with the kind of koi that usually live in big ponds…

To traditional lanterns outfitted to highlight an especially glorious breed…

Multiple undulating waterfalls filled with fish…

lead you on to seasonal displays that meld goldfish with classic Japanese images…

There’s a room filled with crystal clear cubes of light, each a habitat for a different variety

…which magnifies their charms and quirks and are decorated to celebrate the season.

In summer, for example, the fish lounge among the lotus…

while in the fall, they cavort among the autumn leaves and iconic higanbana equinox lilies

This passageway becomes a seasonally-changing shrine to special varieties

and leads to a celestial installation of kingyo cavorting in columns of bubbles around the moon.

Rare breeds each have their own spotlit museum showcase

and the final display is always an extravaganza of flowers and fish, from ikebana designed in collaboration with a famous flower artist…

to hanging gardens of spring delight

And best of all, this extraordinary celebration of goldfish is something you will only see in Japan.

Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (last entry 18:00)
Open: Every day except irregular holidays (those will be blanked out on the calendar when you buy your tickets)
Admission: Adults ¥2300 if you buy online, ¥2400 if you use the ticket machine on the 1st floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi department story

The Art Aquarium Museum is on the 8th floor of the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store, but the entrance is on the 9th floor. You must choose your visit date and entry time before buying your ticket, because they are timed entries. (Using the Art Aquarium Museum website is the easiest way to do this—I stood outside the venue and bought mine, then went right in.) After your payment is confirmed, get in the roped-off line near the down escalator (near the restaurant) on the 9th floor to wait for your time slot. When they let you in, go down to the 8th floor and scan your emailed QR code to scan at the ticket gate.

•

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

•

Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had