Fitz’s Fish Ponds & Koi Trips USA Attend the 56th All Japan Nishikigoi Show
Feb 12th 2026
Fitz’s Fish Ponds and Koi Trips USA proudly attended the 56th All Japan Nishikigoi Show, held January 23–25, 2026, at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center. Widely regarded as the most prestigious koi competition in the world, the All Japan Show brings together the finest Nishikigoi, elite breeders, and passionate koi professionals from across the globe.
Hosted by the General Incorporated Association All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, the event featured nearly 4,000 koi ranging from just a few inches to more than 40 inches in length. Each entry represented the highest level of breeding, husbandry, and presentation, reinforcing the show’s reputation as the global benchmark for koi excellence.
The All Japan Nishikigoi Show: The Global Standard for Koi Competition
Established in 1968 by Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA), the All Japan Nishikigoi Show continues to set the international standard for koi competition. Breeders, hobbyists, and dealers compete across dozens of size classes and varieties, all striving for recognition at the highest level. The show plays a critical role in shaping breeding trends worldwide, influencing bloodline development, conformation standards, and color expectations year after year.
Grand Champion Winner at the 56th All Japan Koi Show
The 56th edition of the show crowned a breathtaking 98cm, 6-year-old Kohaku bred by Dainichi Koi Farm as Grand Champion. Owned by Yuan Jiangdong, the winning koi stood out for her exceptional body volume, refined skin quality, and overall balance—an outstanding example of modern Kohaku excellence.
Seeing a Dainichi-bred Kohaku take the top honor further reinforced the farm’s long-standing influence on the global koi industry and highlighted the continued evolution of elite Kohaku bloodlines.
Top Variety Awards at the 2026 All Japan Koi Show
Beyond the Grand Champion, the 2026 show featured exceptional performances across multiple varieties. Sakai Fish Farm earned Best in Variety for Bekko, while other premier breeders, including Isa Koi Farm and Omosako Koi Farm, were prominently represented throughout the show. The depth of quality on display underscored just how competitive the field has become at the highest level.
Behind the Scenes at the All Japan Koi Show
Representing the Fitz’s Fish Ponds team in Japan were AJ Mandell and Bryson Foss, who joined the trip as part of the Koi Trips USA experience.
For Bryson, the journey marked his first visit to Japan and his first opportunity to attend the All Japan Nishikigoi Show as a koi lover, hobbyist, and professional. Throughout the trip, he documented his experience through daily vlogs, offering an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at Japanese koi culture, breeder visits, and what it’s truly like to attend AJKS with Koi Trips USA.
“We were positioned in one of the main tanks right at the center of the show—just feet away from the Grand Champion,” Bryson said. “To see Fitz’s Fish Ponds represented there, alongside the very best koi in the world, really showed how far the company has come in Japan. Being that close to the biggest prize, while also earning multiple major awards, was unreal.”
His perspective captured both the excitement and the educational value of the experience, giving viewers a realistic glimpse into what a guided trip to the world’s most prestigious koi show entails.
The All Japan Koi Show: A Global Gathering of Breeders and Collectors
Attending the All Japan Nishikigoi Show remains an invaluable experience each year. Beyond the awards and competition, the event provides a rare opportunity to connect with top breeders, study emerging trends firsthand, and celebrate the artistry and discipline behind world-class koi development. For Fitz’s Fish Ponds and Koi Trips USA, the show continues to reinforce a commitment to sourcing the highest quality koi and supporting collectors who aspire to compete—and succeed—on the world stage.
Major & Special Awards — A Milestone Moment
Building on strong performances throughout the show, Fitz’s Fish Ponds clients earned an impressive slate of Major and Special Awards, reflecting excellence across multiple varieties and top size classes. Herbert Fritch, represented by Fitz’s Fish Ponds, received the National Fish Award for a 45-bu Gosanke (Goshiki) bred by Narita Fish Farm Co., Ltd. and Kanno Koi Farm. He also earned the Miyabi Award with a 45-bu Showa Sanshoku bred by Narita Fish Farm Co., Ltd. and Isa Koi Farm Co., Ltd.
Additional honors included the Tsubaki Award for an 80-bu Tancho Kohaku (Red-Crowned Crane) bred by Narita Fish Farm Co., Ltd. and Omosako Koi Farm Ltd., and the Peony Award for a 90-bu Hikari Muji bred by Marudo Koi Farm Co., Ltd.
The highlight of the weekend, however, came with the Yoshida Hiroshi Award, earned by Herbert Fritch for a 95-bu Kawarimono bred by Daisen Fish Farm Co., Ltd.—an honor widely regarded as one of the most respected and difficult special awards to achieve at the All Japan Nishikigoi Show.
“This is the best award Fitz’s Fish Ponds has ever taken at AJKS,” said AJ Mandell. “The Yoshida Hiroshi Award represents decades of history, refinement, and respect within the show. To earn it speaks volumes about the quality of koi we’re selecting, the relationships we’ve built in Japan, and the long-term commitment we’ve made to competing at the highest level.”
Together, these achievements highlighted not only the breadth of varieties represented, but also the maturity and credibility Fitz’s Fish Ponds has earned on the world’s most competitive koi stage.
Category Excellence Awards at AJKS 2026
Excellence was further recognized through multiple Category Excellence Awards. Herbert Fritch earned two Category Excellence honors with 95-bu Kawarimono entries—one light-changing carp bred by Narita Fish Farm Co., Ltd. and Sakai Fish Farm Co., Ltd., and another varied carp bred by Narita Fish Farm Co., Ltd. and Konishi Koi Farm Co., Ltd.
A third Category Excellence Award was earned by Sasha Vaynerchuk for an 80-bu Hikarimoyo (light yellow) bred by Narita Fish Farm Co., Ltd. and Otsuka Koi Farm, also represented by Fitz’s Fish Ponds.
Looking Ahead
As the koi community reflects on the 56th All Japan Nishikigoi Show, the event once again showcased the innovation, discipline, and global collaboration that define the industry at its highest level. Fitz’s Fish Ponds and Koi Trips USA look forward to another year of working closely with Japan’s top breeders, guiding clients through the process of koi selection and development, and preparing for future competitions.
Congratulations to all winners and participants, we’ll see you in Japan again soon.
Official Results and Event Coverage
For full coverage and official results from the 56th All Japan Nishikigoi Show, visit:
https://koishownews.koiwork.com/alljapan56/
For a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 event, watch Bryson Foss’s vlog here:
