New Photo Spot in Nihombashi: “Art Aquarium Museum” where 30,000 goldfish elegantly swim

Do you know “Art Aquarium” that had been held as a summer tradition of Nihombashi in Tokyo? Goldfish swimming in various shaped water tanks became artworks and fascinated visitors. Then, on 28th August 2020, “Art Aquarium Museum” opened so that everyone enjoys the unique world anytime. Based on the concept ‘Art Comes Alive,’ there are lots of artworks allowing us to feel the dynamism of life and beautiful Japanese aesthetic through life, light, sound, smell and taste. To our surprise, the number of visitors is over 100,000 in three weeks since its opening date. This time, we also experienced such popular “Art Aquarium Museum.”

In the museum that is about three times as large as the conventional exhibition space, more than 30,000 goldfish are elegantly and ephemerally dancing in the water. Apparently, this total number is the largest in the history of Art Aquarium. In addition, there is a great variety of goldfish including ones we rarely find, and artworks are increased. This space was designed by Mr. Hidetomo Kimura, who devised and spread the genre of art aquarium all over the world. He was in charge of spatial composition and music, video and lighting and produced the space to make goldfish the most beautiful art.

The 1st floor is the exhibition space and consists of 3 areas with different themes: Prologue Area, Transitoriness Area and Mystery Area. Firstly, ‘Prologue Area’ welcomes you. Selected popular artworks of the past events gather here. It seems that artworks are irregularly changed. When we visited here, there are ‘Wall goldfish’ which is an ink art based on black and white and having the beauty of wabi-sabi unique to Japan, ‘Round Window Rium’ which shows us a dream-like world when we peek through the round window used in tearooms in Japanese architecture, etc. You should wonder how awesome a world is out of the window. Besides, artworks set in front of Wall goldfish are made from silver by collaborating with Italy’s oldest jewelry brand ‘Cusi.’

The next space is “Transitoriness” Area using the most gorgeous and innovative place called Hanamachi between the 1600s and 1700s as a motif. Here, you can see the latest artworks ‘Procession of courtesan’ combining large and small ‘Oiran’ artworks. The luxurious and gorgeous world is expressed by stools with Japanese-style pattern, big water tanks and bewitching-color light. While listening to music suitable for this space, why not immerse yourself in this world?

Finally, we got to “Mystery” Area, and the latest artwork ‘The forest goldfish’ shows up. Several column-shaped water tanks create space like forest. Walking between water tanks illuminated by various color light from warm colors to cold ones, we feel as if we’re in deep ocean and surrounded by goldfish. On the other hand, the view from 2nd floor is different from it. The screen onto which 3D video is projected create space where goldfish looks like flying in the sky.

Moreover, check out ‘Earthaquarium Japonism’ expressing the earth seen from space as a planet of water! Nishikigoi (varicolored carp) are swimming inside the enormous water tank with 1.5 meters in diameter. The water tank is designed to resemble a globe and rotates by itself like the earth.

By the way, there are also 3 areas on the 2nd floor: Traditional Art Area where Noh (one of Japan’s traditional performing arts) is performed, Joy Area offering their original menu including goldfish-shaped jelly and Gift Area. The menu of the cafe in Joy Area changes depending on seasons.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 10:00PM ※Please check when it’s closed on the official website.
Address	1-3-9 Nihombashihoncho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 2-minute walk from Mitsukoshimae Station／A 8-minute walk from Nihombashi Station ＜Hotel Gracery Asakusa＞5 stations away from Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line to Nihombashi Station ＜Hotel Gracery Ginza＞3 stations away from Ginza Station on the Ginza Line to Mitsukoshimae Station ＜Hotel Tavinos Asakusa＞6 stations away from Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line to to Mitsukoshimae Station ＜Hotel Tavinos Hamamatsucho＞4 stations away from Daimon Station on the Toei Asakusa Line to Nihombashi Station
URL	https://artaquarium.jp/en/