News Releases
2015

* Information contained in this news release is current as of its date of announcement. Be aware that information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Nihonbashi Transforms into “Goldfish Town.” Enjoying Edo Cooling Techniques in a Nihonbashi Awash with Edo Culture
ECO EDO NIHONBASHI 2015: Edo Cool Through the Five Senses
Held in the Nihonbashi District from July 10 (Friday) to September 23 (Wednesday, national holiday), 2015

May 20, 2015
ECO EDO NIHONBASHI Executive Committee
Meikyo Nihonbashi Hozonkai
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

ECO EDO NIHONBASHI 2015: Edo Cool Through the Five Senses sponsored by the ECO EDO NIHONBASHI Executive Committee and Meikyo “Nihonbashi” Hozonkai (“The Famed Nihonbashi Bridge Preservation Society”) will take place this summer in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district from Friday, July 10 to Wednesday, September 23 (a national holiday).

This annual summer-long festival is being held for the eighth time and will play host to a variety of events and exhibits that bring awareness to the creative techniques and approaches used to keep cool that were cultivated in Nihonbashi during Japan’s Edo period, while reinterpreting them for modern life and sensibilities. The techniques include viewing kingyo goldfish to provide a sense of coolness and wearing light and breezy yukata robes, as well as boat rides and water-splashing. These forms of Edo-period wisdom employ all five senses and will be showcased in a distinctly Japanese atmosphere to provide enjoyment of various forms of cooling sensations. In addition, this year there will be even more decorative and vibrant goldfish-themed content on display throughout the district, in light of the great popularity of goldfish viewing in Nihonbashi during the Edo period. Hidetomo Kimura, creator of “Art Aquarium” exhibits and other art installations, has been invited again this year to serve as the festival’s lead producer.

This summer will be the first summer for Fukutoku Shrine, which was completed last fall. The lanterns along Naka Dori Street leading up to the shrine will be decorated with goldfish patterns for the duration of the ECO EDO NIHONBASHI festival, escorting people dressed in yukata who visit the shrine as well as everyone coming to enjoy the summer in the Nihonbashi district.

Also returning to Nihonbashi this year is the “Art Aquarium~Edo Kingyo no Ryo~,” an underwater art exhibit that recalls the sophisticated culture of goldfish viewing cultivated in the district during the Edo period as well as revitalizes that culture in tune with modern sensibilities. Other goldfish-related events planned include a “goldfish scooping” contest, which was especially popular last year, and cruises on sightseeing boats adorned with brilliant goldfish decorations.

ECO EDO NIHONBASHI 2015 Main   Goldfish image

Overview of ECO EDO NIHONBASHI 2015: Edo Cool Through the Five Senses

Event Period: From July 10 (Friday) to September 23 (Wednesday and national holiday)
Organizers: ECO EDO NIHONBASHI Executive Committee, Meikyo Nihonbashi Hozonkai
Lead producer: Hidetomo Kimura (H.I.D. INTERAQTICA Co., Ltd.)


* Images are either from the past or conceptual drawings.