Goldfish, Cherry Blossoms Meet in ‘Sakuraquarium’

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:52 JST, March 8, 2021

Spring has gotten off to a swimming start at the Art Aquarium Museum in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward, where a new exhibition invites visitors to walk among nearly 30,000 goldfish, accompanied by sakura pink lighting and sound effects that evoke a cascade of cherry blossom petals.

Tall tanks containing around 30 varieties of goldfish are on display during the event, including “sakura-nishiki” and other breeds named after Japan’s symbolic cherry blossoms.

“We would be happy if we could provide a bit of comfort for visitors amid the coronavirus pandemic,” a museum official said.

The special exhibition will run through May 9. The museum said it is taking thorough preventative measures against the coronavirus, including conducting body temperature checks at the entrance, regular ventilation and staggered admission.