Garden Eel Day

What Is Garden Eel Day?

November 11th is "Garden Eel Day" (Chin-Anago no Hi) in Japan. Since garden eels poke their bodies out of the sand in a shape resembling the numeral "1" and live in groups, Sumida Aquarium established the holiday in 2013.

An Aquarium-Born Holiday, Inspired by an Adorable Creature

Garden eels are a popular aquarium fish known for building burrows in the sand and swaying gently while poking out only part of their bodies.

• Origin: a garden eel peeking out of the sand resembles the numeral "1," and a group of them lined up evokes "1111"
• Purpose: to help more people discover the charm and behavior of garden eels
• Related events: Sumida Aquarium holds special events tied to this day every year

Shy Yet Humorous: The Behavior of Garden Eels

Garden eels are extremely timid, retreating instantly into the sand at the slightest sound or vibration. At the same time, watching a whole group sway in unison is a delightfully humorous sight that captivates visitors.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Visit an aquarium and observe garden eels in person
• Learn about garden eel behavior and biology
• Look for garden eel merchandise or plush toys
• Check Sumida Aquarium for related event information

Tiny "1"s Peek From the Sand, Forming a Group in the Tank

Watching garden eels sway humorously together is enough to soothe anyone's heart. November 11th is a day to turn your attention to these adorable creatures.