Giant Fountain on the Seafront of Tokyo Bay Officially Operates, Ready to Become a New Landmark

JAKARTA - A giant fountain featuring a complex water show opened on the seafront of Odaiba, Tokyo, late last month and is expected to become a new landmark in the capital.

Tokyo Aqua Symphony, which the metropolitan government describes as one of the largest fountains in the world, can spray water up to 150 meters high, stretch 250 meters long, and feature sakura flower motifs.

At the opening ceremony of the fountain on Saturday (28/3), Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said, "We hope to create a new flow of visitors and will strive to become a city that can entertain people day and night," quoted from Kyodo News (1/4).

Construction at Odaiba Seaside Park began in July last year, at a cost of about 2.6 billion yen. Annual operating costs are estimated at around 200 million yen.

The show, which features water jets accompanied by music and light, is planned for the fountain, with the potential to attract 30 million people each year and generate an economic impact of 9.8 billion yen ($61 million), according to the Tokyo government.

Spectators clapped along to the show of water and light, set against landmarks such as the Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge.