The Kingyo Museum, which stands in Nara as the biggest goldfish aquarium and museum in Japan, reopened on April 27 after undergoing refurbishments.
AQUA oasis, an aquatic display and power spot
JAPANESE AQUARIUM DISCO
JAPONE Lane
Goldfish have been tied to Japanese culture since the beginning of the 16th century during the Muromachi Period when they were imported from China. The city of Yamatokoriyama in Nara Prefecture is the oldest location in Japan that has been raising goldfishes.
Due to COVID-19, many summer festivals and events where goldfish would be present have been cancelled up and down the country. That’s where Kingyo Museum’s renovations come in as a way to bring in tourists and sightseers. The museum has expanded to almost double its previous size to bring in new areas that utilise projection mapping and art, such as the AQUA oasis and the JAPANESE AQUARIUM DISCO which has brought in Japan’s first die-cut fish tanks. Visitors can enjoy 38 of Japan’ most prominent goldfish species, from familiar faces to rarer kinds.
Information
Kingyo Museum
Reopened: April 27, 2021
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Last Entries 17:30)
Official Website: https://kingyomuseum.com/
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Beloved Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama’s Works on Display at Islamic Arts Museum as Part of Qatar Creates
Qatar Museums recently announced Qatar Creates, a year-round cultural project overseeing, promoting, and encouraging diverse cultural activities throughout Qatar. Currently, over 40 pieces of art by prominent local and international artists are on display in Doha and throughout the country. A large-scale outdoor exhibit titled My Soul Blooms Forever, designed by iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, has just been installed on the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). The exhibition includes a large-scale work on display for the first time in Qatar, expressing the artist's well-known reverence for the natural world through a spectacular installation of colorful, fantastical plants and a three-dimensional sculpture of a pumpkin with Kusama’s iconic polka-dot pattern. My Soul Blooms Forever will be on display at MIA Park until March 1, 2023 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Qatar's Years of Culture program, as well as to commemorate the 2012 Qatar-Japan Year of Culture. Photo by Iwan Baan. Artwork © YAYOI KUSAMA. Courtesy David Zwirner, Ota Fine Arts, and Victoria Miro.Information
My Soul Blooms Forever – Yayoi Kusama Exhibition
On Display until March 1, 2023
Venue: MIA Park (Islamic Arts Museum)
Official Site: https://mia.org.qa/en/
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Felissimo’s Museum Department has teamed up with Ad Museum Tokyo to release a collection of nail stickers inspired by famous works of art from the Edo Period. They also released an incense collection inspired by classic matchbooks on November 21, 2022. Nishiki-e is a type of Japanese multi-colored woodblock printing, and those interested in traditional art will love showing off their new style with these easy-to-apply stickers.
Edo Trend Nishiki-e Gel Style Nail Stickers
One Hundred Beauties from Famous Places of Edo - Ninghocho
Sixteen Female Sennin
Keisei Oyodo - Ichikawa Masunojou
Showa Modern Incense with Matchbox Labels
These incense sets were inspired by classic matchboxes, each featuring ads from the time. Each stick burns for about 10 minutes, making them perfect for use in your spare time. After using the incense, these are perfect for using as boxes for jewelry or other small items! Information
Ad Museum Tokyo x Felissimo Nail Stickers
Orders open November 21, 2022
Official Site: https://www.felissimo.co.jp/
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The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, will be holding the ‘Hokusai at Play with the 100 Poems’ exhibition from December 15, 2022 until February 26, 2023. The exhibition will focus on the Hyakunin Isshu, a famous collection of 100 poems integral to Japanese traditional culture.
Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki - Sojo Henjo / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum.
Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki - Ariwara no Narihira / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Phase 2)
The Five Great Poets, Tsuki - Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Permanently on Display)
By the middle of the Edo period, the Hyakunin Isshu, or 100 classical poems, had become an established part of Japanese culture. Hokusai, an ukiyo-e artist of the period, painted a total of 27 of these famous poems, incorporating his own ideas and views to create unique pieces still beloved so many years later. This exhibition features 24 paintings from the museum’s Hyakunin Isshu collection along with dozens more items pertaining to this legendary collection of writings. Don’t miss it!Information
Hokusai at Play with the 100 Poems
Running: December 15, 2022 – February 26, 2023
*Certain exhibits will be changed between the first and second phases.
Phase 1: December 15, 2022 – January 22, 2023
Phase 2: January 24 – February 26, 2023
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last entry at 17:00)
Official Site: https://hokusai-museum.jp
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The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum is open from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains incredibly popular with audiences around the world to this day. The museum itself is located near Azabu-Juban, where Sailor Moon took place. Volume 3 of the museum, the final installment, will take place from November 12 until the museum closes on December 30. During this period, fans can see over 100 pieces of rare Sailor Moon goods from its run in Nakayoshi magazine. All of the original color drawings currently on display will be replaced, with over 60 new pieces being added including previously unreleased works. Fans will also get a glimpse of the original drawing that appeared on the cover of Nakayoshi when the final chapter of Sailor Moon was published!
Christmas Menu
Sailor Moon Museum Christmas Pancake
Sailor Moon Museum Cheese Melt Muffin
Latte Art featuring Famous Quotes
THE ALLEY Collaboration Drinks
Christmas Tapioca Banana Pumpkin
Princess Serenity Cream Cheese Yogurt
New Christmas menu items will also be available during Vol.3. Guests can enjoy the cafe’s original Christmas tree-inspired pancakes and collaboration drinks with THE ALLEY. The main menu has also been overhauled and now includes plenty of dishes perfect for the cold winter months. The drink menu will also feature original coasters and straw tags only available at the museum. Will you be visiting the museum during its last few weeks? (c) Naoko TakeuchiInformation
Sailor Moon Museum
Running: July 1 – December 30, 2022
Vol. 3: November 12 – December 30, 2022
Hours:
Weekdays: 10:00-18:00 (Last entry at 17:30)
Weekends/Holidays: 10:00-20:00 (Last entry at 19:30)
*Open from 10:00-20:00 from December 26 – December 30
Venue: Roppongi Museum (5-6-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Official Site: www.sailormoon-museum.com
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60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii to Open at Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art in February 2023
The word ‘kawaii’ is now commonly used around the world. Sanrio is largely to thank for this, and the beloved company has announced that the 60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition will open at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art from February 11 until April 2, 2023. Advance tickets will include a discount and will be available until November 14 online. “Sanrio celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020, and the company continues to share Japan’s character culture with fans around the world,” Sanrio said in a comment. “Kawaii is now a universal language, and this is very much thanks to the over 450 characters that are part of Sanrio’s history, from Hello Kitty to My Melody. This exhibition traces the history of Sanrio and guests can enjoy seeing rare materials including merchandise, publications, and early designs from the company’s founding. We want to continue to grow and develop our characters while valuing communication with our fans, ensuring that our adorable characters are loved by generations to come.” The Sanrio exhibition is something that generations of fans can enjoy, so come immerse yourself in this kawaii world! For more details, visit the official website.Information
60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii
Running: February 11 – April 2, 2023
Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Venue: Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art (17-chome Kita 1 Jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido)
Official Site: https://stv.jp/event/sanrio
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In conjunction with the autumn segment of Setouchi Triennale 2022, the Yokai Halloween 2022 event will be held for the first time at the Yokai Art Museum in Shodoshima in Kagawa. During the event, guests can take part in the Halloween Night Yokai Tour on Saturdays, which will invite them to transform into terrifying ghouls! Each guest will receive a yokai mask and will be tasked to test their courage in this unique Halloween event. Those visiting the museum in costume will receive a discount, and visitors can also enjoy some spooky treats at the Yokai Bar. This is one museum horror fans won’t want to miss!
Visit the Yokai Art Museum at Night
Unlike daytime, the Yokai Art Museum is filled with a mysterious energy at night. With a flashlight in hand, staff members will lead guests on a tour through the museum, which exhibits more than 800 yokai sculptures. Visitors can wear yokai masks and costumes, and unlike a haunted house, you won’t need to worry about yokai jumping out at you. However, the staff may ask you to keep an eye out for anything mysterious. Guests are permitted to take as many photos as they like inside the museum, so be sure to share your experience on social media!Too Realistic! Enjoy Finger Cookies at the Yokai Bar
At the Yokai Bar attached to the museum, guests can find these terrifying finger cookies! These were made in collaboration with FUJI, a popular snack shop in Shidoshima. While tasty, they might be a little too realistic for some people. These will be available in two flavors: spicy and sweet. Rent a Halloween Lantern for Free
A Night Walk through the Shidoshima Maze will invite visitors to carry a Halloween-themed lantern through the town. This event is being held to promote tourism in the town at night, and lanterns will be free to rent! These will be available in different colors from the first floor of the nearby Shodoshima International Hotel. Shodoshima, known as the City of Mazes, has over 60 streets with three-way intersections and many mysterious alleys. Walking through the town at night will be an experience you’ll never forget, especially during the spookiest time of the year! Information
Halloween Night Yokai Tour
Dates: October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / November 5
Time: 20:00 at the Yokai Art Museum (Please reserve your spot by 20:00.)
Venue: Yokai Art Museum (298 Kou, Tonosho, Shozu District, Kagawa)
Price: Adults ¥3400 / Middle/High School Students ¥1,950 / Elementary Students and Under are free (Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.)
*Fee includes admission, yokai masks, and the tour.Details/Reserve Tickets: https://www.asoview.com/channel/tickets/eZLNyX5SzG/
*The tour will feature parts of buildings 1-4 and will be led by staff members. Fee includes admission to the museum. Guests can enjoy the museum both before and after the tour, and may re-enter the museum only on the same day.