After a temporary closure due to Covid-19 coronavirus, Tokyo’s Sumida Aquarium finally reopened its doors in June. To add to the excitement, it also unveiled two new attractions on Thursday July 16. You can now enjoy the aquarium’s brand new jellyfish zone and the educational Aqua Base.
The highlight of the jellyfish area is the new seven-metre tank known as the Big Petri Dish. True to its name, the giant tank is shaped like the scientific apparatus and home to approximately 500 jellyfish swimming around in all their translucent glory. You can even walk on the transparent floor of the illuminated glass sky deck which hovers over the Petri Dish.
With the special lighting, the jellyfish look as though they are glowing. It’s quite a hypnotising sight, which explains why these creatures are known as kurage in Japanese, meaning ‘ocean moon’.
Be sure to also check out the side walls around the Petri Dish, which feature three large drum tanks where you can get an up-close look at three species of jellyfish. The vivid lighting makes them seem ethereal, and it’s a great spot for an upclose shot of these magnificent creatures.
Aqua Base is the other new section at the aquarium and it features a special kitchen where you can watch the staff create meals for the animals and creatures. Take a closer look at how the marine creatures here are cared for and how they are bred in the lab.
To commemorate the new attractions, Sumida Aquarium’s in-house café and shop are also offering jellyfish-inspired dishes and souvenirs. Currently, it’s recommended that you purchase advance tickets online (Japanese only) as Sumida Aquarium is limiting the number of guests at any given time.
For tips on how to go out safely in Tokyo, or anywhere for that matter, read our guide.
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