Japan 2010 – Koi and More

Hello from Japan!! I’ll be here with my host, Tony Prew of All Japan Koi, for a bit over a week. We’ll be visiting a number of  Koi farms in the Niigata and Hiroshima and attending two agricultural shows where koi breeders show off some of their best stock. We’ll also be visiting two public aquariums and meeting with the curators and veterinarians at these facilities. Along the way we will also have the opportunity to visit some tropical fish retail facilities.

My goals, as they were with previous trips, are to gain a better understanding the Japanese koi industry,  health management practices within the Japanese koi industry, improve my knowledge of koi quality assessment, continue to develop opportunities within the koi industry and public aquarium sector for collaboration in research, education and outreach.

I would also like to express my continued gratitude to Tony Prew and Mr. Hoshino Masaharu of Koda Koi Farm in Niigata and Mr. Joji Konishi of Konishi Koi Farm in Hiroshima for their hospitality and ongoing patience with my endless questions.

Below are a few images from our first full day in Niigata at the koi farms. We also visited a tropical fish retail facility with some beautiful planted aquariums!!


View from our Hotel, the Uono River and Shinano River
A fuzzy picture of Dr. Tim at breakfast before we head out to the farms.
Tony and Hoshino-san confer over some 3 year-olds.
Dr. Tim discussing the merits of a particular koi with Tony and Rodger Meyer, a hobbyists from Oregon
Gin rin kohaku
Some beautiful planted aquariums, Retail store in Ojyia City
Check out this bog filter!!
Aquatic Bonsai

3 thoughts on “Japan 2010 – Koi and More”

  1. Hi Dr. Tim, I’d be curious to know if what we in America call the “Nature Aquarium World” look, i.e. the stunningly gorgeous planted aquascapes that use eastern-style aesthetics presented in Takashi Amano’s book of that name, have had the influence among his home country’s aquarists that it has among American aquarists who are into natural-looking tanks.

  2. JIm,

    While I’ve only visited this one shop at this time. Takashi Amano’s books are well represented. In fact I was able to pick up a coffee table book that showcases his many tank creations.

  3. Hey there. My name is Rachel Robinson and I am an animal medical practitioner student from http://riversideveterinaryclinic.net. At the moment I am looking into vet information and treatment topics for a significant project connected to particular clinical research studies our company are undertaking at the veterinary clinic. I read several helpful and helpful information and facts checking out the topics in this website and so just intended to thank you. Carry on with the great work!

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