A limited-time exhibition to learn about the national natural monument, "We've started with the Ayu-modoki!", begins on Tuesday, April 14th.

Kyoto Aquarium (Location: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City; General Manager: Kazuyoshi Sakano) will be holding a special exhibition titled "We've Started with the Ayumodoki!" from April 14th (Tue) to June 30th (Tue), where visitors can learn about the ayumodoki, a freshwater fish that is a national natural monument.

The ayumodoki is a rare freshwater fish that inhabits only Kameoka City in Kyoto Prefecture and some rivers in Okayama Prefecture, and is designated as a national natural monument*1. With the hope that people will learn about this rare animals that lives in the nature around us, we will be holding a special exhibition on the ayumodoki. The ayumodoki on display will consist of about 30 individuals that hatched from fertilized eggs received from the Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Museum. As the ayumodoki has a habit of hiding in obstacles that allow it to conceal itself from predators, such as sandy areas in rivers, we will be setting up a peephole-style tank where visitors can observe them hiding among the rocks.

In addition, the ecology and conservation efforts of the Ayumodoki fish will be introduced using panel displays and merchandise such as figurines. At the photo panel, visitors can take commemorative photos wearing ponchos depicting adult and juvenile Ayumodoki fish.

On Children's Day, May 5th, a "Ayumodoki Banner" measuring approximately 6 meters in length will be on display for a limited time. In addition, you can deepen your understanding of the Ayumodoki and other rare species from various perspectives, such as the "Kyoto Prefecture Red List animals Diagnosis," which diagnoses whether your personality is similar to that of rare species inhabiting Kyoto, and the Ayumodoki Stamp Rally.

Since March 2025, Kyoto Aquarium has been working on ex-situ conservation*3 of rare animals inhabiting Kyoto Prefecture, including the breeding of the endangered Tangosuji-shimadojo*2. We will also continue to breed the Ayumodoki as an aquarium implementing ex-situ conservation. Why not take this opportunity to learn about the rare Ayumodoki, which is facing extinction?

*1 Conservation of rare wild animal and plant species: Ayu-modoki (Reference: Ministry of the Environment website)
*2 Release dated March 10, 2025: Efforts to breed 91 individuals of the Tangosujishimadojo loach. *3 A method to protect endangered species by safeguarding animals in secure facilities and increasing their population to avoid extinction.

■ Special Exhibition "We've Started Raising the Ayu-like Fish!" Overview

This special exhibition will feature the rare freshwater fish known as the Ayumodoki, a national natural monument with a limited habitat, on display for a limited time. The exhibition will also include panels explaining the Ayumodoki's ecology and characteristics, an introduction to conservation activities being carried out in Kameoka City, and a display of Ayumodoki banners, offering visitors a variety of perspectives on this rare fish.

Exhibition location: Entrance to the "Sanshisuimei (The Beauty of Nature)" area on the 2nd floor. Exhibition period: April 14th (Tue), 2026 - June 30th (Tue), 2026.

About the Ayu-modoki

As its name suggests, the false ayu is a rare species endemic to Japan that resembles the ayu fish. It is designated as critically endangered on the Kyoto Prefecture Red List. Within Kyoto Prefecture, it inhabits only a part of Kameoka City, where conservation efforts are underway.
Our aquarium received fertilized eggs from the Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Museum in June 2025, and they subsequently hatched. We currently have approximately 150 individuals of the Ayumodoki fish in our care. As an aquarium implementing ex-situ conservation, we will continue to care for these individuals in the future.

[Overview of the species]
Japanese name: Ayumodoki Scientific name: Parabotia curtus
Classification: Common carp Cypriniformes, Family Ayumodidae Distribution: Found only in the Asahi River and Yoshii River systems in Okayama Prefecture, and the Katsura River system near Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. Ecology: Prefers sandy-mud bottoms with plenty of cover in the middle to lower reaches of rivers, where rocky areas are also found.

Nationally designated natural monument
IUCN Red List (Version 2024-2): Critically Endangered (CR)
Ministry of the Environment Red List 2020: Critically Endangered (CR)
Kyoto Prefecture Red List 2023: Critically Endangered Species; Species Conservation Law: Domestic Rare Wild Animals and Plants

① A special aquarium showcasing the habits of the Ayu-modoki fish will be set up.

Because the false ayu fish has a habit of hiding in rocky areas along rivers, a tank will be set up that allows you to peek into the habitat of the false ayu fish. If you look through the peephole, you might even make eye contact with a false ayu fish.
Take your time to observe the Ayumodoki fish, along with the special panel displayed near the tank that summarizes their ecology.

② A photo spot where you can take pictures feeling like you're an ayu fish.

A photo panel in the style of a Red Data Book will be on display, summarizing the habitat and endangerment risk of the Ayumodoki fish.
Furthermore, we will be setting up ponchos featuring the juvenile Ayumodoki, which has distinctive striped body patterns, and the adult Ayumodoki, which has a body color similar to that of an Ayu. Put on a poncho and enjoy taking commemorative photos with your family dressed as Ayumodoki.

③ Introducing conservation activities being carried out in Kameoka City, the habitat of the area.

In Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, where wild Ayumodoki fish live, various activities are underway to protect them. Panels will explain why the Ayumodoki's numbers are declining and what conservation efforts are being made in Kameoka City, along with an exhibition of various items featuring the Ayumodoki as a motif. Please enjoy the diverse items, including stained glass, chopstick rests, and manhole covers.

④ In honor of Children's Day, a 6-meter-long "Ayumodoki (sweetfish) banner" will be unveiled.

In honor of Children's Day on May 5th, we will be displaying a streamer of ayu-like fish (a type of sweetfish) on the second-floor terrace for a limited time. The streamer, which is approximately 6 meters long, features intricate details such as the striped pattern and six whiskers that are characteristic of juvenile ayu-like fish.
The Ayumodoki banner is the last work of Keiichi Yoshikawa, an indigo dyeing craftsman who worked in Kameoka City. Please take this opportunity to see the Ayumodoki banner in conjunction with Children's Day.
Exhibition period: April 14th (Tue) - May 29th (Fri), 2026
Exhibition location: 2nd floor terrace. *Please note that the content may be changed without notice due to inclement weather or other reasons.

⑤ What type of animals are you? "Kyoto Prefecture Red List animals Diagnosis"

On the second floor of the Kyoto Aquarium, in the "Sanshisuimei (The Beauty of Nature) " area, we breed various freshwater fish that are endangered in Kyoto Prefecture and are also working on breeding them within the aquarium. With the hope that people will learn about diverse and rare species, we are exhibiting "Kyoto Prefecture Red List animals Diagnosis," a diagnostic test that helps you animals . Try it and see which animals has characteristics similar to your personality. Once you know your results, please enjoy observing the real animals.

⑥ Join the Kyoto Aquarium x Kameoka City Ayumodoki Stamp Rally!

During the event period, a stamp rally featuring the Ayumodoki fish will be held at Kyoto Aquarium and Circular Kameoka Lab, an environmental information facility in Kameoka City. Visiting each facility will allow you to collect stamps depicting the Ayumodoki's body pattern. Collecting stamps from both locations will complete an illustration of the Ayumodoki. Those who complete the stamp rally will receive an Ayumodoki sticker as a prize. Take this opportunity to visit Kameoka, the habitat of the Ayumodoki, and participate in the stamp rally.
Event period: April 14th (Tue), 2026 - June 30th (Tue), 2026
Location: ① Entrance to the "Sanshisuimei (The Beauty of Nature)" area on the 2nd floor of Kyoto Aquarium ② Inside the "Circular Kameoka Lab" facility How to participate: Get stamps on the special stamp card installed at each facility.
By stamping the stamps from both facilities together, you can complete the illustration of the Ayu-modoki fish.
Prize Redemption: Those who collect stamps at both facilities will receive one sticker as a gift.
Please present your stamp rally sheet at the following locations.
Kyoto Aquarium: 1st floor "General Information" / Circular Kameoka Lab: Inside the facility *The order in which you collect the stamps does not matter.
* The giveaway will end without notice once supplies run out.
* The gift will only be distributed during the event period.
* Only one gift per person. Even if you have multiple stamp rally cards, you will only receive one gift.
* Please refrain from participating if your intention is to reuse, transfer, or resell the stamp rally sheet.
* If any fraudulent activity is detected, we reserve the right to refuse to give you the gift.
*Please note that the content may be changed without prior notice.

■ "Circular Kameoka Lab"
Opened on August 1, 2024, north of JR Kameoka Station, this information hub aims to widely publicize Kameoka City's efforts to become a world-class environmentally advanced city, including Japan's first ban on providing plastic shopping bags. It serves as a place where many people can gather, interact, and connect, hosting events and workshops.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed: Every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)