Our resident Koi expert Anthony Day is currently in Japan, deep in the heart of Niigata, hand-selecting exceptional koi directly from some of the most respected breeders in the world. This year’s trip has already proven to be something special — despite some of the most challenging conditions Niigata has seen in decades.
Extreme Conditions, Exceptional Rewards
Heavy snowfall has slowed travel considerably, with Niigata experiencing its heaviest snow in decades. Mountain roads, long journeys, and sub-zero temperatures have made this a demanding trip — but conditions like these often separate routine buying trips from truly special ones.
Thanks to Anthony’s long-standing relationships and reputation within the Japanese koi industry, we’ve still managed to secure koi from elite breeders, many of whom only work with trusted dealers. Every koi has been hand-picked for quality, body, skin, and long-term potential, not simply purchased from a list.
Day 1 – Foundations of Quality
Odakan
The trip began with a strong foundation — hand-selected Go-Sanke, chosen for balance, skin quality, and development potential.
Tamura (HQ Certified)
We secured a selection of HQ-certified koi, offering peace of mind alongside outstanding conformation and colour stability.
Izumiya – Yamabuki Ogon
Widely regarded as the best Yamabuki breeder in Japan, Izumiya delivered stunning examples with deep metallic lustre and powerful body lines — true benchmark fish for this variety.
Day 2 – Mountains, Mileage & Elite Bloodlines
Yoshino
A 1.5-hour journey through the snow-covered Joetsu Mountains led to Yoshino, where Anthony selected super-quality Sanke and a number of very high-quality (VHQ) Go-Sanke, all fully certified.
Takana
Here, a carefully chosen Tosai mix was selected — young koi with excellent foundations and exciting growth potential.
Ikarashi Toshinobu – Aragoke “Godzilla” Bloodline
A real highlight of the trip: HQ Aragoke from the famous Godzilla bloodline, widely considered the best Aragoke produced in Japan. Thick frames, strong character, and serious future presence.
Day 3 – Variety, Volume & Rare Opportunities
The third day focused on building depth and variety across the shipment.
Large Tosai Selection from Miyatora
Anthony hand-selected 100 Tosai, including:
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Kin Ki Utsuri
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Gin Rin Chagoi
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Aragoke Chagoi
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Lemon Hariwake
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And several other standout varieties
Each fish was chosen individually — no bulk buying, no compromises.
Kawakami – Elite Goshiki
A rare opportunity followed at Kawakami, where Anthony was able to personally select Goshiki from one of the very best breeders for this notoriously difficult variety. Clean patterning, strong reticulation, and excellent future colour development made this a standout visit.
Otsuka – Chibi Nisai Perfection
Next stop was Otsuka, where a beautiful selection of Chibi Nisai was secured, including:
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Aka Matsuba
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Asagi
These koi combine elegance, purity, and exceptional skin quality — truly “to die for” examples from Japan’s leading specialist for these varieties.
Looking Ahead – Azukari Tosai with Yamaguchi
The trip concluded with a visit to Yamaguchi, where Anthony selected VHQ Azukari Tosai. These koi will remain in Japan under breeder care until the autumn harvest, allowing them to develop naturally in ideal conditions.
We achieved outstanding results with Yamaguchi last season, and being invited back again this year is a genuine honour — a sign of the trust and respect Perfect Aquatics has built within the Japanese koi community.
What This Means for Perfect Aquatics Customers
This trip represents months of planning, decades of experience, and uncompromising selection standards. Every koi chosen has been selected with UK ponds in mind — health, growth, character, and long-term enjoyment.
👉 These koi will be arriving in stages, with some available sooner and others later in the year.
👉 Numbers are limited, and demand is always high.
If you’re looking for genuinely hand-picked Japanese koi, sourced directly from the best breeders in the world — this shipment is one you won’t want to miss. Get in touch via live chat or info@perfectaquatics.co.uk to find out more or reserve specific koi.
More updates coming soon as Anthony continues his journey through Niigata.