LOOK: This Art Aquarium In Tokyo Is A Glow-in-the-Dark Wonderland

The art comes alive. Literally.
by Meryl Medel | July 15, 2020

Stepping into Tokyo’s Art Aquarium is like stepping into a new world that brings together modern digital art and the beauty and grace of thousands of Japanese goldfish or kingyo. All around are marks of Japanese history and culture, with the kingyo at its center.

How did it start?

The Art Aquarium is the brainchild of Hidetomo Kimura, who originally started as a retail businessman dealing with aquarium fish. He actually established his own company in Manila so he could ship tropical fish across the world. He spent two years in the Philippines before traveling the world for another two. And everywhere he went, he was found that the aquariums he visited lacked creativity. And so he figured, why not do it himself?

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In 2007, he held the first art aquarium exhibit, which would eventually become an annual summer tradition in the district of Nihonbashi. Millions of visitors flock to the business district just to see the exhibition, and it even made its way to cities across the world.

What can you see in the Art Aquarium?

Now, thirteen years later in the place where it all started, Hidetomo Kimura is opening the first permanent Art Aquarium exhibition. The 2321-square meter area is about three times bigger than previous years’ exhibitions and will house 30,000 goldfish that will be placed in various artworks inspired by elements of Japanese history and culture. Light and darkness play a huge part in the experience, creating a glow-in-the-dark feel and highlighting the kingyo and the aquariums.

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Where is it located?

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The Art Aquarium is set to open on August 2020. While travel to Japan from the Philippines is not yet possible, you can still plan your future itinerary once restrictions are lifted. To visit this unique aquarium, you can find it at 1-3 Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0023. For more details, you can visit their official website.

Have you seen the annual exhibition before? Share your experience with us using the hashtag #WindowSeatPH!