ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM — Attraction in Tokyo

I recently visited the ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM, and overall, it was a delightful experience worth 3 stars. However, I couldn't help but feel that it's become a bit pricey for what it offers, especially when comparing it to its previous location in Nihonbashi.

Let's start with the positives. The ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM continues to be a unique and captivating attraction. The artistry and creativity displayed through the combination of aquatic life and mesmerizing lighting are truly one of a kind. It's a mesmerizing experience that's both visually stunning and soothing, making it a great place to unwind and appreciate the beauty of aquatic life.

However, the downside is the cost. The admission fee for the ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM has significantly increased since its move to its current location. While I understand that maintaining such an intricate and artistic display comes at a cost, it felt a bit steep for the size and duration of the experience. This is particularly noticeable when you remember the more affordable rates at its previous location.

Having experienced both versions of the museum, it's hard not to draw comparisons, and in this regard, I couldn't help but miss the spaciousness and variety of exhibits in Nihonbashi. The current venue, while still impressive, feels somewhat smaller in scale.

That being said, I don't want to take away from the overall enjoyment of the ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM. It's still a fantastic attraction and a must-visit for those seeking a unique blend of art and aquatic wonder. If you don't mind the higher admission fee and are looking for a captivating experience, this museum is still worth checking out. But for those who remember the museum's earlier days in Nihonbashi, you might find yourself reminiscing about the lower costs and greater expansiveness...

Art Aquarium Museum Ginza is an Art museum with installation works made out of goldfish (kingyo) tanks lit up by dramatically exquisite lightings.

The museum is located on 8/F, Mitsukoshi Ginza terrace. You just take the elevator to the 9/f and go down the escalator to 8/f museum entrance.

As soon as we entered the museum, we were instantly fascinated and mesmerized by the phenomenal mixture of artistic colorful lighting, tranquilizing music and the incredibly decorated kingyo tanks. It was fun for us to watch the kingyo swimming elegantly in their cylindrical or square homes (tanks). When I was videoing one black kingyo swimming in its home, he knew we were watching him; he swam round and round to catch our attention. I could feel he was happy and excited that someone finally noticed him. We felt that He was trying his best to entertain us.(watch one of the short video of this kingyo swimming happily in his home). The meticulously designed lighting and soothing music definitely helps to set a fantasy mood for people to appreciate the kingyo exhibits even more. While we were watching the kingyo swimming in the tanks, we felt as if we were watching “kingyo in a floral world”movie.

If you want to take pictures of the changing of lightings on the exhibits, then you may need to spend an hour or so to fulfill this objective. The entrance fee is 2300 yen each. The entrance fee is on the high side especially if you are a family of 4 or more. However the delicately design of the museum and exhibits justify the slightly steep entrance fees. You can either book on website in advance or buy tickets at the door. Avoid going to the Aquarium Art Museum at weekends because it is usually quite busy. You may not be able to take stunning pictures or videos...

This exhibit is one not to be missed Like many things in this great culture, care, craft and a thoroughly integrated art and museum set design were employed in this exhibit. Using iconic forms like Japanese Lanterns wood roofs, masks and beautiful cherry blossom, this exhibit employs symbolism to wow you. Like a 3D emersion into an impressionist watercolor painting, except that the art moves, the fish here bring this art exhibit alive with a juxtaposition of colors like nowhere else. The varying shape of tanks, fish and lighting colors make for a stunning presentation. They have one exhibit with cylindrical tanks which have a short dimension of the curved side protruding out of the wall...be sure to look at these from the side to get an enlarged version of the fish. Also for the tall wavy tanks, be sure not to only look at the front side as you go to the next row, but look at the backs which have a different direction for the lighting. Having watched the episode of Japan public television series on this aquarium before we visited, we learned how important goldfish were to Japanese culture including the breading of some of these pretty rare fish. And you may not see these types of fish in any other place, so take notice of their details. Some with crowns, large bellies, large eyes and puffy cheeks. A very minimalist pallet is seen in the grouping of square tanks, where the fish color and forms are simply stunning against the white bottom with very bright lighting balanced with silk cherry blossoms popping through the surface of the water. Very...