Art Aquarium Ginza & Other Unique Tokyo Museums

A friend of mine was in town from Australia and asked what I’d recommend checking out. Along with a list of other interesting locales, I said, “You should give Art Aquarium Ginza a look.”

“Is it nice?” he asked. “No idea, I’ve never been – but it looks cool.”

It took several months after he left but I finally got around to checking it out myself. Here’s what to expect from a visit to Art Aquarium Museum Ginza, why it’s worth your time, and two other unique and offbeat museums you may not otherwise consider.

Art Aquarium Ginza: A unique twist on a favorite Japanese pastime

Being an island nation, it’s no surprise that aquariums are a popular attraction in Japan. But it’s a little surprising just how popular they are. The country is home to more aquariums per capita than any other on Earth. The first, in Ueno Zoo, first opened during the Meiji Era in 1882.

While popular among families, aquariums are also a well-known date spot. There are a few reasons for this, including:

• As an indoor location, you can go regardless of what Japan’s often mercurial weather does
• It’s an easy place to carry on a conversation
• The dim and softly-lit surroundings emit a romantic vibe

(Additionally, unlike some locations in Japan, no aquariums in the country appear to be cursed. Big plus!)

Even in Tokyo, you can find a number of aquariums throughout the city. One of the more unique ones is Art Aquarium Museum Ginza. In contrast to larger venues, Art Aquarium Ginza emphasizes a more aesthetic approach to viewing marine wildlife. The Aquarium uses a combination of variously shaped tanks, bowls, and lighting to create a unique immersive experience.

Visiting Art Aquarium Ginza

To visit Art Aquarium Museum Ginza, you first need to buy tickets. You can purchase them online in the form of a QR code. You can also buy them the day of at the aquarium itself. Tickets start at ￥2,500 (USD $17.50) if purchased in advance and ￥2,700 if purchased the day of entry.

You can also pay more for special add-ons and events that the Aquarium is running. One recent event was a special Yukata event that included a traditional Japanese summer dress rental. When I went, the special included a free luxury dessert from Chocolatier Palet D’or Ginza, which you can redeem anytime during the day of your visit.

The aquarium itself occupies the 8th floor of the Mitsukoshi Ginza department store. Getting in, however, is a little weird, as it involves entering through the 9th floor, scanning your ticket, and then descending to the 8th floor via a gates escalator. Once done, you exit through the 8th floor of the department store.

Art Aquarium Ginza’s Japanese-influenced exhibits

Once inside, you can casually peruse the array of exhibits the Aquarium has prepared for the current season. The summer season features two unique exhibits. One, the Oiran Obimai, is a large tank surrounded by ribbons reminiscent of the obi (sash) worn by a Japanese courtesan. Meanwhile, the Hanamai exhibit uses a combination of flowers and goldfish to create a panoply of color.

Ginza Art Aquarium – Oiran Obimai Exhibit

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The Goldfish Waterfall (金魚の滝) features an array of curved tanks with water that flows like a river. The landscape is also dotted by traditional stone lanterns (石灯籠; sekitourou) that double as miniature fish tanks.

Another part of the exhibit, an array of fish bowls styled after paper lanterns (提灯; chouchin) and decorated with flowers and wind chimes, ends in a large row of green-colored tube tanks surrounding the visitor.

The exhibit hosts a number of additional areas, including a sunflower walkway dotted with iron lanterns. At the end of the exhibit, near the gift shop, is a seating area that hosts artwork for a large array of local artists.

And yes, I did take advantage of the ice cream add-on from Chocolatier Palet D’or, which is just a few minutes from Mitsukoshi in another department store building. And no, I do not regret that choice.

Two other unique Tokyo attractions

Still looking for stuff to do after Art Aquarium Ginza? If so, check out these two other exhibits that offer something a little different for your visit to Tokyo.

SMALL WORLDS Miniature Museum

Located in Ariake in the Ariake Butsuryu Center in Koto City, the SMALL WORLDS Miniature Museum offers a look at some extraordinary look at some truly tiny landscapes.

The exhibit features a space center, a global village, a recreation of Kansai International Airport, a nightlife in Japan exhibit, and even recreations of scenes from Neon Genesis Evangelion. It also includes multiple pohot spots, some of which let you get right up close and personal with the models.

Unko Museum

Yes, you read that right. “Unko” is the Japanese word for “poop” and…well, this museum is about what you’d expect.

While it dubs itself “The Kawaii Poop Experience,” there’s no real poop involved, thank goodness. (Though bad news for some of you perverts out there, I guess.) Every exhibit and dessert, however, is shaped like excrement. Several feature the museum’s mascot, Umberto (ウンベルト), a walking poop drop who carries around a toilet like a badge of honor.

The Unko Museum is one of the places you only need to go once. It’s worth it for the laughs – particularly if you have kids who still giggle at the mere mention of human bodily functions.

The Instagrammable spot, launched in 2019, is now a global phenemenon. If you don’t get to see it in Tokyo, you can catch it in one of its traveling exhibits. Currently, there are tickets available for Sapporo and Melbourne.

See another side of Japan

Still undecided about what to see while in Japan? Want to discover attractions and enjoy experiences not usually available to tourists? Contact Unseen Japan Tours and let us create a custom itinerary and guided experience for you!

Sources

水族館デートが鉄板なのはなぜ？彼との距離を縮める方法も紹介. Tapple

日本の水族館. Wikipedia JP