Want to see Japan in different colors, such as white, orange, black, and blue, in summer? You can feast your eyes in one place– the Nishikigoi no Sato (Nishikigoi Village) in Ojiya, Niigata! The Nishikigoi Village boasts a wide variety of different colored koi, some of which are more than a hundred years old!  Delve deeper into koi fishes as you “swim” through this article. 

What Are Nishikigoi?

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Nishikigoi are a variety of koi, which are also known as the “living jewelry” of Japan. This carp breed is known for its vibrant colors and patterns and is often used as ornaments in a garden. There are three most sought-after Nishikigoi varieties, also known as the “Gosanke” or three families in English. These are: Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku. 

Kohaku: The Kohaku variety is considered the foundation of all varieties and is familiarized by its bold red patches on a pure white base. It has a classic pattern that features bold red patches on a pure white base. It is considered the foundation of all Nishikigoi varieties.

Taisho Sanshoku: This type of koi is famous for its tri-color variety in red, white, and black patterns in a white base.

Showa Sanshoku: This koi is also famous for its tri-color variety but with a black base below red and white patterns.

Are they different from the koi that we eat? Definitely! From the time they were recognized for their stunning beauty, the Nishikigoi has become a symbol of elegance, perseverance, and good fortune, which are often kept at home. Their unique colors and patterns have made them highly prized, and breeding these magnificent fish has become a sophisticated art form. For additional trivia, the Nishikigoi is actually considered the national fish of Japan!

Immersing Yourself in Ojiya’s Koi Paradise

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Now we know what a Nishikigoi is. The next question is: where did it actually come from?

The Nishikigoi came from the city of Ojiya in Niigata prefecture, just a three hour train ride from Tokyo. There is a dedicated museum called Nishikigoi no Sato, translated into English as Nishikigoi Village. This museum exhibits a diverse collection of Nishikigoi along with how they have evolved from the very beginning of its history. The establishment was built in 1989 to uphold the importance of their birth and how the koi became an important cultural identity of the Japanese. There are a total of four ponds where you can observe the vibrancy of Nishikigoi. To fully enjoy the experience, you can also feed the koi fish for just 100 yen! 

Bred differently: Two hundred years ago, a farmer found a different colored carp among black ones– now, everyone knows about this species as a symbol of peace. 

Ojiya is in the “snow country” area and is known to survive heavy snowfall amounting to approximately three meter high snow piles! In winter, the Nishikigoi village is empty and becomes isolated. However, once spring comes, the farmers of Ojiya begin to selectively breed the Nishikigoi and utilize the melted snow to provide a healthy pond for the fish. Each bred koi are uniquely different in their own way, hence, they are more koi-tacular to look at!

Curious to Know More About Nishikigoi?

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If you would like to see more Nishikigoi variants, you can feast your eyes on more than fifteen varieties of koi in the village for a minimal amount only! Nishikigoi no Sato Village opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Adults over 15 pay an admission fee of 510 yen, while those under 15 pay 310 yen. Children under 6 can enter for free! Once you visit the museum, you can also see the town’s Ojiya chijimi which is a textile used for kimono.

Pro Tip: The biggest Nishikigoi competition is held every 2nd week of October around the Ojiya area! More than 2000 Nishikigoi are exhibited in the competition, some ranging from year-old fishes to “unfinished works of arts” at six to seven years old. Find out more about Nishikigoi Village in Niigata by visiting its official website: Nishikigoi no Sato.

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