Japan Koi Buying Trips to Top Breeders
Experience Our Seasonal Journeys to Japan's Premier Koi Breeders
AUTUMN TRIP
The Fall Harvest Trip is one of our most popular trips for customers. The experience of pulling Koi from the mud ponds is unlike anything else in the world. You will have access to first pick at some of the highest quality koi in the entire world.
ALL JAPAN KOI SHOW
The Trip to the All Japan Koi Show gives you a chance to attend the best Koi show in the world. Up to 4000 Koi can be entered into this show, ranging from 3″ to 40″ plus. See the Grand Champion first hand! You will also get a chance to visit the koi houses and purchase some incredible koi.
SPRING TRIP
The Spring Trip to Japan has two focuses. The first is returning the koi that have been selected to grow out back into the breeders mud ponds. Due to the limited space in the mud ponds, some of the best Tosai and Jumbo Tosai are left back in the koi houses and are available for purchase. This is the best time to buy Tosai and Jumbo Tosai (1 yr old koi)
A Day in Japan
Join us as we tour some of the best Japanese Koi Breeders in the world!
Click to WatchFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a koi buying trip to Japan?
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A koi buying trip is a guided tour to Japan where you visit top Japanese koi breeders with the Fitz's Fish Ponds team, hand-pick koi directly from the breeders, and have them shipped and imported back to the United States. Fitz's runs these trips twice a year and handles your itinerary, breeder introductions, purchasing, and quarantine so you can focus on choosing your fish.
When does Fitz's Fish Ponds run koi trips?
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Fitz's Fish Ponds runs two koi trips to Japan each year. The autumn trip is built around the All Japan Koi Show, where up to 4,000 koi are on display and you can visit koi houses to buy. The spring trip focuses on returning grow-out koi to the mud ponds and is the best time to buy Tosai and Jumbo Tosai. Contact our team for current dates.
Do I need experience to join a koi trip?
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No. Our trips welcome both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers. The Fitz's Fish Ponds team guides you through every step, from meeting breeders in Niigata to selecting healthy koi that fit your pond and budget. Because we have long-standing relationships with the breeders, you get honest advice and access you would not have traveling on your own.
What is the All Japan Koi Show?
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The All Japan Koi Show is the most prestigious koi competition in the world, held in Japan each year. Up to 4,000 koi ranging from about 3 inches to over 40 inches are entered, and you can see the Grand Champion in person. Our autumn trip is timed around the show so you can watch the judging and then visit koi houses to purchase.
Can I buy koi on the trip and ship them home?
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Yes. On both trips you hand-pick koi directly from the breeders, and your fish are shipped home alongside our own order. We stay in constant communication about arrival timing and coordinate delivery once your koi reach our New Jersey facility. All imported koi are held in quarantine for approximately 30 days before they go to your pond.
What are Tosai and why buy them on the spring trip?
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Tosai are one-year-old koi. On the spring trip, some of the best Tosai and Jumbo Tosai are left in the breeders' koi houses when space in the mud ponds runs out, which makes spring the ideal time to buy them. You can browse related koi any time on our Tosai category page and reserve your picks with our team.
How long are imported koi kept in quarantine?
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Imported koi must remain in quarantine for approximately 30 days after they arrive at our facility. Quarantine lets us monitor the fish, manage acclimation, and confirm they are healthy before they go home to your pond. Our team keeps you updated throughout and arranges a pickup or delivery time once your koi clear this period.
How do I book a koi trip to Japan?
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Booking starts with a consultation. Contact the Fitz's Fish Ponds Koi Trips team and we will discuss your goals, whether you are traveling for personal collecting or buying for a business. After that, you book your flights and we arrange hotels and the in-Japan itinerary. Call (908) 420-9908 or email sales@fitzfishponds.com to start planning your trip.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Consultation: Whether you want to travel for personal gain or if you are purchasing for your business, our Koi Trips team will help fulfill your desires.
Book Your Trip: After receiving the appropriate information from our team, book your flight. Hotel accommodations will be made by the Koi Trips team.
Fly to Japan: Meet our team in Tokyo, then take the bullet train to Nagaoka-- the koi capitol of the world.
Source your Dream Koi: With our teams help and long lasting relationships with the breeders, you will be able to hand pick the koi of your dreams.
Shipping Home: Your fish will be shipped home alongside our own. We will stay in constant communication about when your fish will arrive at our facility and make arrangements with you to receive your koi. Remember they must remain in quarantine for approx. 30 days.