Statue of the Dragon Goddess

This statue was placed in front of the Ohama Aquarium in 1903 for the
Domestic Industrial Exhibition. Although it was loved as a symbol of peace
and prosperity, and even given the nickname "the maiden," it was removed
when the aquarium closed down. Then, in the year 2000, it was finally
restored on the Kitahato seawall to commemorate the 110th anniversary
of the incorporation of Sakai.

In 1903, at the time of the fifth Domestic Industrial Exhibition, this statue was
placed in front of the Ohama Aquarium, which at the time was the largest in the
Orient and the Sakai venue for the event. After the exhibition finished, both the
statue and the aquarium were bequeathed to Sakai City, and the statue become
loved as a symbol of peace and prosperity, and given the nickname "the maiden."
However, due to factors such as the construction of the coastal industrial zone and
the effects of Typhoon Nancy in 1961, the now defunct aquarium was eventually
dismantled and the statue removed along with it.
Then, in July of 2000, when the vicinity of the old Sakai port became the venue for
the World Folk Art Festival "Washoi! 2000," the statue was finally restored on the
Kitahato seawall to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the incorporation of
Sakai. A 10m bronze maiden stands on a stone-clad base 16m in height.