Fountain Day commemorating Japan's First Western-style Fountain

Fountain Day 噴水の日 marks a surprisingly elegant moment in Japan’s modern history. On August 21st, 1877, the first National Industrial Exhibition opened in Tokyo’s Ueno Park, and at its center stood Japan’s first Western‑style fountain.

It was a symbol of progress and a touch of European sophistication arriving in the Meiji era. The fountain itself was completed slightly later, on September 8th, but its debut season began with the exhibition’s opening day.

Japan’s relationship with fountains, however, stretches even further back. The oldest known fountain is said to be in Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden, created in 1861 and powered entirely by natural water pressure, i.e. no pumps required.

Today, fountains continue to serve as small urban oases. From historical garden features to the dramatic 112‑meter Gassan Lake fountain in Yamagata, they bring movement, coolness, and a touch of class to everyday spaces.