ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM GINZA (located at Ginza Mitsukoshi) is partnering with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to help visitors develop a deeper interest in the aesthetics and culture of Edo by exploring the profound connection between the fantastical world of Art Aquarium and Edo culture. Starting September 14, a special booth inside the museum will introduce Edo culture through the tradition of goldfish appreciation, which has continued since the Edo period.
Edo Tokyo
Edo, the foundation of present-day Tokyo, grew into a city with one of the world's largest populations at the time, and the everyday lives of the people who lived there gave rise to distinctive and excellent culture, both tangible and intangible. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is once again shining a light on Edo, working to uncover and share its profound charm.
What Is Art Aquarium?
Art Aquarium is an immersive entertainment art form that stages tanks of swimming goldfish with light, scent, and sound. It expresses the goldfish appreciation culture that has continued since the Edo period for a modern audience, fusing Japanese tradition with cutting-edge art.
In the Edo period, glass was still a rare and precious material, so a viewing style called "uwami" (viewing from above) became established, in which people looked down at goldfish swimming in wooden tubs and similar vessels. Uwami, which let viewers savor the beauty of tail fins fluttering across the water's surface and silhouettes spreading as elegantly as a dress, captivated ordinary people and was frequently depicted in ukiyo-e, the popular art form of the time.
Art Aquarium elevates this traditional appeal into contemporary art. Signature works such as 「新金魚品評」, which lets visitors look down on the beautiful forms of goldfish from above, and 「切子品評」, which fuses traditional cut-glass craftsmanship with the vibrancy of living creatures, come together to create a fantastical space.
Since its debut in 2007, Art Aquarium has drawn a cumulative total of 13 million visitors (as of October 2025). It now continues at its permanent museum in Ginza, Tokyo (Ginza Mitsukoshi New Building, 8th floor).
Facility Information
Facility Name: ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM GINZA
Admission:
- General: Web ticket ¥2,500 / same-day ticket ¥2,700
- Student (junior high, high school, university, or vocational school): Web ticket ¥2,200 (Web ticket only)
- Elementary school age and younger: up to 2 children admitted free per paying general or student ticket holder
Location: Ginza Mitsukoshi New Building 8F (entrance on 9F), 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access:
- Direct connection to Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza, Marunouchi, and Hibiya lines)
- 5-minute walk from Ginza-itchome Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Exit 9)
- 2-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station (Toei Asakusa Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) via underground passage toward Ginza Station
- 9-minute walk from Yurakucho Station (JR, Central Exit / Ginza Exit)
Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last admission at 6:00 PM; subject to change)
Closed: Follows Ginza Mitsukoshi's closing schedule (may also close irregularly for maintenance; check the official website for details)
Official Website: http://artaquarium.jp/
Official SNS:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artaquarium_museum_official/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artaquarium_tm_official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artaquariumofficial
- X: https://twitter.com/artaquarium_jp
Important Notes: Strollers and pets are not permitted inside. Coin lockers are not available.
Organizer: Kiranah Resort Co., Ltd.
Planning & Production: Amuseum Parks Co., Ltd.
Operations: Amuseum Parks Co., Ltd.
Cooperation: Mitsukoshi Isetan Ltd., Ginza Mitsukoshi
