Hiroshima Motomachi Aquarium (Director: Fumihiro Sato, located at Pacela 7F, 6-78 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City) is holding a special exhibition, "Yukata Colors the Summer Aquarium," starting Saturday, July 18. Timed alongside the aquarium's collaboration with the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA, the exhibition takes "yukata" — a garment that, like ukiyo-e, embodies traditional Japanese beauty — as its theme, with a display of the vividly colored Coral hind (known in Japanese as "Yukata hata") among other species. Visitors who come dressed in yukata or kimono can also receive a discount on admission.
As part of the collaboration with the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA, the aquarium is presenting an immersive space inside the venue featuring original video content exclusive to the collaboration. A limited-edition "fish stamp" designed around Utagawa Kuniyoshi's ukiyo-e is also on sale, and a social media photo campaign offers a limited-edition collaboration badge as a reward for participants.
In addition, for six days including the Obon period, from Tuesday, August 11 to Sunday, August 16, the aquarium will stay open one hour later than usual, until 8:00 PM. New events are also being added throughout the summer break.
Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition name: "Yukata Colors the Summer Aquarium"
- Period: July 18 (Sat) to September 6 (Sun), 2026
- Location: Zipangu (Golden Scene) area inside the aquarium
- Featured species: Coral hind and others
Note: The exhibit lineup may change or end without prior notice depending on the animals' condition.
Yukata & Jinbei Visitor Discount
Visitors who come dressed in yukata or jinbei during the exhibition period will receive ¥100 off admission.
- Period: July 18 (Sat) to September 6 (Sun), 2026
- Eligibility: Visitors of elementary school age and older wearing yukata or jinbei
- Valid only for same-day ticket purchases
- Cannot be combined with other discounts
Ukiyo-e Collaboration Fish Stamp
A limited-edition "fish stamp," designed by aquarium staff and inspired by the ukiyo-e of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, has been added to the aquarium's regular lineup of original fish stamps, available only through this collaboration with the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA.
- Sales period: July 18 (Sat) to September 6 (Sun), 2026
- Sales location: Reception information desk
- Price: ¥500 (tax included)
SNS Photo Campaign
Visitors can take part in a campaign offering a novelty item to those who meet a simple condition: take a summer-themed photo inside the aquarium and post it on social media with the designated hashtags.
- Period: July 18 (Sat) to September 6 (Sun), 2026
- How to participate: Take a summer-themed photo inside the aquarium, post it on social media with the hashtags [ #広島もとまち水族館 #夏のアクアリウム ], then show the posted screen to staff
- Limited to one entry per person
- Reward: Limited-edition collaboration badge featuring a design created for the "Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA x Hiroshima Motomachi Aquarium" collaboration
- Redemption location: Reception information desk
About the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA
Based on more than 300 works by renowned ukiyo-e artists including Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, Toshusai Sharaku, and Utagawa Kunisada, the exhibition uses 3DCG animation and projection mapping to bring ukiyo-e to life as a digital art experience that can be enjoyed across generations and languages. Visitors can step into the world of ukiyo-e through immersive video spaces built around a variety of concepts.
Alongside the digital displays, the exhibition also shows original ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period and reproductions, with explanations covering the history of ukiyo-e, Edo-era culture, and the artists behind the works.
Official website: https://www.ukiyoeimmersiveart.com/
Collaboration program details: https://aquarium-hiroshima.com/news/archive/2026/66.html
Extended Hours During Obon
For six days including the Obon period, the aquarium will extend its hours by one hour beyond the usual closing time.
- Period: August 11 (Tue) to August 16 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last admission 7:30 PM)
New Summer Events
Discover the Wonders of Living Things: A Hint for Your Summer Research
Aquarium keepers introduce the appeal and mysteries of the animals, along with topics related to the sea, using videos, quizzes, and specimens. It's a hands-on program where children can see, touch, and learn alongside the keepers.
- Period: July 21 (Tue) to August 31 (Mon), 2026 (weekdays only)
- Location: Forest (Four Seasons Scene) area inside the aquarium
- Time: 2:15 PM (approximately 15 minutes)
- Fee: Free (admission fee separate)
- Target audience: Elementary school students (guardians may accompany)
Daily Featured Species Commentary
Keepers introduce the ecology and behavior of the animals inside the aquarium from their own perspective — details that are hard to grasp just by looking. Since the location and featured species change daily, visitors can enjoy something new each time they attend.
- Period: July 21 (Tue) to August 31 (Mon), 2026
- Location: Inside the aquarium (announced on the day)
- Time: 11:30 AM / 4:30 PM
- Fee: Free (admission fee separate)
Meerkat Feeding Time: "Hungry Meerkats!"
Visitors can watch the popular meerkats eat their meal, with commentary from a keeper. Enjoy the meerkats' endearing movements, only seen during feeding time.
- Period: July 21 (Tue) to August 31 (Mon), 2026
- Location: Forest (Four Seasons Scene) area, in front of the meerkat enclosure
- Time: 1:30 PM / 5:30 PM
- Fee: Free (admission fee separate)
Cafe "Umihako" New Summer Menu
A Japanese-style summer menu featuring warabimochi (bracken-starch dumplings) has been added to Cafe "Umihako." Two varieties are available: matcha warabimochi, made generously with matcha and roasted soybean flour, and mizu warabimochi, with a clear, jelly-like texture.
The popular "Colorful Porcupinefish Parfait Float" has also been given a special arrangement to mark the tie-up with the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA. Inspired by the colorful displays of ukiyo-e, it now comes in three colors and flavors: pink (strawberry), yellow (mango), and green (matcha).
- Product: Matcha Warabimochi with Hojicha Set / Mizu Warabimochi with Hojicha Set
- Sales period: Starting August 1, 2026
- Price: ¥650 (tax included)
- Product: Colorful Porcupinefish Parfait Float
- Sales period: July 18 (Sat) to September 6 (Sun), 2026
- Price: ¥1,250 (tax included)
- Sales location: Cafe "Umihako" (both products)
Note: The Colorful Porcupinefish Parfait Float is an in-aquarium exclusive menu item and cannot be purchased at registers outside the aquarium.
