Heritage and Art: The Yatomi Goldfish Display at Nagoya Marriott Associa

Kingyo no Mai: A Summer Tradition at the Main Lobby

The Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel has launched its annual summer installation, “Kingyo no Mai,” situated in the 15th-floor main lobby. Running from July 28 to August 31, 2026, the display centers on the goldfish heritage of Yatomi, a town with a specialized breeding history spanning 150 years. A centerpiece 240cm wide tank has been installed to provide a sense of seasonal cool for guests arriving from the summer heat.

The Kingyo no Mai installation in the hotel lobby — The 240cm wide goldfish installation in the 15th-floor lobby.

A Diverse Collection of Rare Yatomi Goldfish

The exhibition features approximately 200 goldfish representing 12 distinct breeds and 30 varieties. The collection includes well-known types such as the Ranchu, Tancho, and Oranda Shishigashira, alongside the multi-colored Edo Nishiki. The display also highlights rare varieties that have seen declining production in recent years, such as the Kuro Demekin (black telescope-eye), Seibun-gyo, and Chakin, allowing visitors to observe the specific swimming patterns and physical characteristics of these historic breeds.

A dark-colored telescope-eye goldfish — A Kuro Demekin, one of the rare varieties on display.

A calico-patterned goldfish swimming in the tank — The exhibition features 30 different varieties of goldfish.

A pale pink goldfish with long flowing fins — Graceful aquatic movements are a hallmark of the Yatomi lineage.

Ukiyo-e Art and Cultural Collaboration

This year’s presentation incorporates the work of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a prominent ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artist from the late Edo period. The installation is themed around his “Kingyo-zukushi” series, which features humorous, anthropomorphized goldfish. By placing these traditional motifs alongside living specimens, the hotel offers a perspective on how goldfish have been integrated into Japanese art and daily life for centuries.

Ukiyo-e scroll hanging above the goldfish tank — The display incorporates Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s ukiyo-e motifs.

Exclusive Access to Art Aquarium Exhibition

The lobby display serves as a precursor to the “Art Aquarium Exhibition Nagoya 2026,” held at Chunichi Hall in the Sakae district. While the hotel installation is free for all visitors, guests staying at the Nagoya Marriott Associa have the exclusive convenience of purchasing entry tickets for the main exhibition directly at the front desk. This larger event uses light, sound, and fragrance to present goldfish within contemporary art installations.