A “Festival of Ornamental Fish” in Futakotamagawa, Tokyo
Aquarium Fair Draws Crowds of Visitors

On Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, the “2026 Aquarium Fair in FUTAKOTAMAGAWA” was held at Futakotamagawa Rise Galleria in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo.
Organized by the Japan Ornamental Fish Promotion Cooperative, the event was held for the ninth time this year, and many families and aquarists visited the venue.
Under the theme “See, touch, and relax… experience the world of aquariums,” a wide variety of ornamental fish were on display, including Nishikigoi, goldfish, medaka, bettas, and tropical fish. In a space offering many different ways to enjoy fish, many visitors stopped to admire their beauty up close.
This year, with a joint Korean booth bringing together four aquarium brands from South Korea, as well as booths by aquarium supply manufacturers and related organizations, the event was livelier and larger in scale than ever before.
There was also a full lineup of activities for visitors to join in, including the “Amateur Goldfish Master Contest,” in which visitors vote for their favorite fish, as well as medaka and guppy contests, where visitors enjoyed voting while comparing the characteristics of each variety. The hands-on corners where people could actually interact with fish, such as goldfish scooping and a fishing pond, were especially popular with children, and many families could be seen enjoying themselves together. The venue was bustling all day long.
In addition, free giveaways of goldfish, medaka, bettas, tropical fish, and Nishikigoi held throughout both days drew long lines of visitors even before they began, offering people a chance not just to “look at” ornamental fish but to actually start keeping them. The giveaways are well received every year as a way for aquarium beginners and children to feel closer to ornamental fish and discover the fun of keeping them.
At the booth of the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, there was a Nishikigoi display and a corner where visitors could make original postcards using Nishikigoi stamps. Children and adults alike were captivated by the impressive Nishikigoi measuring over 60 cm.
Held at a commercial facility in the heart of the city, this event showcases the appeal of a wide range of ornamental fish. Over the two days, many visitors were able to “see, touch, and enjoy” ornamental fish, discovering their beauty and the joys of keeping them, and deepening their interest in the world of aquariums.

The Amateur Goldfish Master Contest, featuring a colorful array of goldfish

The packed booth of the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association

Goldfish and medaka scooping, a big hit with children

A fishing pond that parents and children can enjoy together