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An exhibition to learn about the characteristics of the giant salamander through mimicry items: "Giant Salamander Mimicry - 'Imitation': The Beginning of Technology"
Kyoto Aquarium (Location: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City; General Manager: Kazuyoshi Sakano) is pleased to announce that, in commemoration of "Giant Salamander Day*1,2" on September 9th, it will hold a special exhibition, "Giant Salamander Mimicry - 'Imitation': The Beginning of Technology," from September 5th (Sat) to December 28th (Mon), 2026, in which visitors can learn about the mysterious ecology of the giant salamander through "mimicry items" that mimic the physical characteristics of the giant salamander.
"Biomimicry" refers to the practice of observing and imitating the remarkable structures and functions of animals in nature, and using that knowledge to develop useful technologies and products for our daily lives. This time, we'll introduce "Giant Salamander Mimicry," mimicry items that may be useful in our lives, inspired by the characteristics of the giant salamander. Some of these items may seem a little strange, but we planned this project with the hope that it will inspire us to think about the future based on the characteristics of animals.
The exhibition will feature three types of items, including the "Giant San Tongs," which utilize the giant sank's characteristic of having three rows of small teeth on its upper and lower jaws that it uses to grab onto prey and never let go, and the "Giant San Boots," which were inspired by its streamlined head. Visitors can also enjoy explanatory videos and panels presented in a TV shopping style by the animal care staff, along with the characteristics that inspired the creation of these mimicry items.
In addition, there are plans to hold events where you can learn about giant salamanders from various angles, such as a measurement session for the total length and weight of juvenile giant salamanders before they reach adulthood, the "Giant Salamander Mimicry Collection" where you can pretend to be a giant salamander, and a talk event featuring Professor Kanto Nishikawa of Kyoto University.
Furthermore, special food and drink menus will be available to commemorate "Giant Salamander Day." Why not use this once-a-year anniversary as an opportunity to delve into the mysterious ecology of the giant salamander, using giant salamander mimicry as a starting point?
*1 Because the giant salamander's appearance resembles the number "9" and it becomes more active around September for breeding purposes, Kyoto Aquarium applied to the Japan Anniversary Association in April 2018 to designate September 9th as "Giant Salamander Day," and it was approved.
(1) Overview of "Giant Mimicry: 'Imitation' - The Beginning of Technology"
Period: September 5th (Saturday) to December 28th (Monday), 2026
Location: "The River of Kyoto" area. Admission: Free (Aquarium entrance fee not included).
■Mimicry items help us delve deeper into the physical characteristics of the giant salamander.
We will be creating and exhibiting three types of biomimicry items that take advantage of the unique physical characteristics of the giant salamander. The items are: "Giant Salamander Tongs," which utilize the fact that the giant salamander has a total of three rows of small teeth on its upper and lower jaws, and once it grips something it won't let go; "Giant Salamander Boots," which are inspired by the streamlined head that is thought to reduce water resistance; and "Giant Salamander Gloves," which mimic the palm of a giant salamander's hand with a non-slip structure. Visitors can try gripping objects with the tongs and feel the texture of the glove's palm.
The exhibition features explanatory panels and a special TV shopping-style video that details the research that led to the idea for the mimicry items, as well as reviews from the animal care staff who have actually used them. Enjoy learning about the physical characteristics of the giant salamander while you explore.
[Mimicry Item]
■Introducing mimicry ideas from aquarium staff & also accepting submissions from visitors!
We will be showcasing giant salamander mimicry ideas collected from various aquarium staff, including animal care staff in charge of freshwater animals such as giant salamanders, as well as animal care staff in charge of penguins and jellyfish, on a cylindrical display in the "The River of Kyoto" area.
Furthermore, we are also accepting ideas from our customers. We look forward to receiving your free-thinking mimicry ideas, such as "This feature could be utilized!" or "It would be great if we had this!" From the submitted proposals, animal care staff will select 11 works to be displayed as posters on the second floor at "Communication Hall" starting November 1st (Sunday).
[Regarding the call for mimicry ideas]
Recruitment period: September 5th (Saturday) to September 30th (Wednesday), 2026
You can also apply through the application page . *Please be sure to check the application rules.
Recruitment location: 1st floor "The River of Kyoto" area / 2nd floor "Communication Hall"
Exhibition period: November 1st (Sun) - December 28th (Mon), 2026
Exhibition location: 2nd floor "Communication Hall"
■The popular giant salamander that compares heights is now available in a mimicry version for a limited time!
The giant salamanders that compare their heights, a popular photo spot in the "The River of Kyoto" area, will be transformed into a mimicry-themed attraction during the special exhibition. The photo spot is themed "Let's imitate giant salamanders," and giant salamander blankets, which are sold at the museum shop, will be available.
(2) An event will also be held to commemorate the opening of the special exhibition.
■First-ever event! Measurement of the total length and weight of a giant salamander juvenile that will soon be 5 years old.
Every year on September 9th, "Giant Salamander Day," Kyoto Aquarium holds an event called "Measure the Giant Salamander!" where they measure the total length and weight of the largest giant salamander they have.
This year, for the first time, we will be holding a measurement event for juvenile giant salamanders before they reach adulthood. Please enjoy this inaugural event for measuring juvenile salamanders.
Date and Time: Monday, October 12, 2026 (National Holiday), 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM Location: "The River of Kyoto" area on the 1st floor Fee: Free *Aquarium admission fee not included. No advance reservation required.
*Please note that the schedule may be changed or the event may be canceled without prior notice.
■Become a giant salamander! "Giant Salamander Mimicry Collection"
On Halloween, October 31st, we will be holding the "Giant Salamander Mimicry Collection," where participants will gather wearing fashion items reminiscent of giant salamanders.
On the day of the event, a runway will appear in the "The River of Kyoto" area, and customers who have registered in advance will be invited to walk the runway as models.
You can wear our original giant salamander merchandise, or come dressed in giant salamander-themed fashion that you've made yourself. Anyone who shows their love for giant salamanders through their fashion is welcome to participate. In addition, anyone who has entered Kyoto Aquarium can freely view the event and help liven up the venue.
Let's have fun expressing our individual styles of Osan fashion!
Date and Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (tentative)
Venue: "The River of Kyoto" area How to apply: Visit our official website's "Events & Experiences" page
Please register in advance via ( https://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/event/index.html ) or apply through this application page .
Application period: ★Extended! ★September 5th (Sat) - October 25th (Sun), 2026
* Winners will be notified by email by Monday, October 26, 2026.
* Visitors who have entered Kyoto Aquarium are free to view the event.
■ Kyoto University Professor Nishikawa to hold event "Wouldn't it be nice to have a giant salamander?"
To commemorate the special exhibition, we will be holding an event to brainstorm new mimicry items that utilize the unique physical characteristics of the Japanese giant salamander. Professor Kanto Nishikawa of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies and the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies at Kyoto University, who conducts research on Japanese giant salamanders, will be invited to the event. Together with Professor Nishikawa, we will brainstorm ideas for what kind of Japanese giant salamander mimicry we could create in a workshop format.
Date and Time: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4:00 PM
Admission: Free (Aquarium entrance fee not included).
Location: 2nd floor "Communication Hall" workshop space Eligibility: Elementary school students and older How to participate: Visit the museum's official website, "Events and Experiences" page
Please register in advance at ( https://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/event/index.html ) before the event is listed on the event calendar.
Application period: September 5th (Sat) - November 15th (Sun), 2026
* Winners will be notified by email on Monday, November 16, 2026.
Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies and Faculty of Integrated Human Studies, Kyoto University
Professor Kanto Nishikawa
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1975. His passion for salamanders led him to pursue a career in research. In 1999, he completed his master's degree at the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, and has since served as an assistant, assistant professor, and associate professor in the same graduate school and the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies, where he currently works. Since 2018, he has also held a concurrent position at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies.
(3) New food and drink menu items to commemorate "Giant Salamander Day" are now available.
■Giant Salamander's Clear Stream Hayashi Beef <br />Inspired by the giant salamander that lives in clear rivers, this new Hayashi beef dish features a giant salamander made of thin omelet and a clear stream flowing with portioned cream. It's a Hayashi rice dish that's easy for children to eat.
Sales location: Harvest Cafe Sales start date: September 5, 2026 (Saturday)
Selling price: 1,200 yen (tax included)
*While supplies last.
* Please note that the sales location, sales hours, and other details may be changed without prior notice.
■Swimming Donuts Giant Salamander To commemorate "Giant Salamander Day," a cute giant salamander donut will be joining our lineup. We have recreated even the smallest details of the giant salamander, such as the pattern on its body and the number of toes on its front and hind feet. Enjoy this gently sweet chocolate-flavored donut.
Sales location: Kaiju Café
Sales start date: September 5, 2026 (Saturday)
Selling price: 750 yen (tax included)
*While supplies last.
* Please note that the sales location, sales hours, and other details may be changed without prior notice.
