In December 2023, an opportunity came across our lap to join Russell Peters of PS Koi, America’s top koi dealer, on one of his infamous koi trips. As one of the youngest koi dealers growing and learning in this industry, I knew that this was an opportunity I may never get again. Without hesitation, I accepted the invitation and spontaneously booked my flight to Tokyo. Little did I know, my entire perspective on the koi world would change.
New horizons
Because this was the first time I have ever been outside of the United States, many mixed feelings were brewing as the journey began across the Pacific Ocean. Upon landing in Japan, I looked out the aircraft window to see the beautiful skyline of Tokyo with the sun setting. It was a magnificent entrance for a first timer such as myself.
After a smooth transit through customs and immigration, the next step was to meet up with Russell and catch the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagaoka, where we would begin a 3 ½-hour journey southwest to the city of Isawa.
Isawa is a smaller city, but the quality of their koi is quite exceptional. Our first stop was at INC Koi Farm (Isawa Nishikigoi Center) to meet up with the koi broker who accounted for all koi purchased in this region and scheduled our appointment at our first farm, Maruyama Koi Farm.
As we traveled together in the car, my anticipation to see my first Japanese koi farm grew exponentially. This was quickly becoming a reality!
Maruyama Koi Farm
When we approached Maruyama Koi Farm, Futoshi Maruyama-san was standing outside, eagerly awaiting to see us. We greeted him and he took us into his greenhouse. Upon entering, all I could see was red and white moving in every direction — hundreds of vibrant Kohaku swimming around in search of food.
Futoshi-san announced the pricing for his koi tank by the tank and asked which we wanted to see. After minutes of careful deliberation, Russell approached the second tank and asked Futoshi-san to seine the tank so he could hand select. Once the tank was seined, Futoshi-san placed five koi in the viewing bowl at a time so Russell could carefully select the koi with the best quality and potential.
To my amazement, every koi was exceptional. The challenge was finding the best of the best. I asked Russell, “Why not buy every koi in the tank?”
“We will be going to many other breeders that have exceptional koi, so I need to pick the best koi I possibly can without buying the entire tank,” he responded.
It was at this moment when I began to understand his reputation for importing the highest-quality koi in America. After we looked though the tank and tallied up the total amount, Futoshi-san gracefully invited us to his private greenhouse to see his Tategoi (koi for the future) that he had selected for the year. Since this was his private Tategoi house, the quality was phenomenal, and nothing was for sale. We observed his impressive collection before making our way back to INC Koi Farm.
Meeting a legend of Japan’s koi culture
When we arrived back at INC Koi Farm, there was a group of people inside the living quarters of the farm. Russell turned to me and asked, “Do you know who that man is?”
With shock and complete amazement on my face, I replied, “Is that Toshio Sakai?” To see a koi legend was a dream come true. We approached him, and he shook our hands and invited us inside for coffee and snacks. We were short on time and had a long journey in front of us, so we graciously declined.
Russell introduced me to Toshio Sakai-san as a new, up-and-coming dealer and a big fan. Toshio Sakia-san smiled and invited us to his greenhouse to see some of his larger koi. We could not resist checking out the amazing specimens in his ponds. Toshio Sakai-san and his family bid us farewell and gave us memorabilia and snacks for our trip back.
Farm hopping
Our next day of koi hunting began with a trip to Ojiya, a small city located in Niigata Prefecture, which is famous for being the home of Nishikigoi. Our first stop was Torazo Koi Farm to meet up with Homare-san, who accompanied us to Kanno Koi Farm.
Kanno Koi Farm has a reputation for its Goshiki, and as we entered the farm, their expertise was clearly apparent. Tanks upon tanks were full of Goshiki stock for us to choose from. We sorted through the tank rather quickly, as we had a scheduled appointment at Marudo Koi Farm. Lucky for us, all the koi farms are basically neighbors in the city of Ojiya, so we took a short trip across the road to make our next appointment.
As we walked up the wooden steps at Marudo Koi Farm, we were shown what was being offered — a tank of Gosanke and Gin Rin Gosanke, Russell and Homare-san sorted through the group and tried their best to select the fish. Once decisions were made, we thanked Marudo-san and headed to lunch.
After lunch, we returned to Torazo Koi Farm, where we saw a man of very high reputation out in front of the farm — Tsuyoshi Kawakami-san. He is such a prominent figure in the koi world that I was in complete disbelief. With complete fandom, I couldn’t resist but to ask Russell to take a picture of me with Kawakami-san as a memory to cherish. This was the perfect way to end the day.
The next morning, our first appointment was at Teradomari Koi Farm, a very small farm an hour away. Mr. Hoshino-san, owner of Teradomari Koi Farm, reached out and provided pictures of his stock to see if Russell was interested. Over the years, Hoshino-san has built a very good relationship with Russell, since he is one of the few dealers who supports his farm. We ended up making the drive to visit his humble farm in the countryside. Hoshino-san pulled his best of his best and displayed them in a bowl, making it very clear that Russell’s efforts of coming out to his farm was appreciated, They were clearly very high quality. We thanked Hoshino-san, and Russell accepted the entire bowl.
Torazo Koi Farm
As we started our day at Torazo Koi Farm every morning, it only seemed fitting to end our trip here as well. Torazo Koi Farm is one of the largest names in the koi world when it comes to Gosanke, with a longstanding history of breeding award-winning fish.
Homare-san showed us to their prized Tosai house and offered Russell some of their best Tosai. Once we looked through the selection, Russell was confident in the quality and began selecting. As they netted more up, the selecting got harder and harder. With so many great selections, how do you select the best without buying them all?
After we finished picking, we followed the Torazo family back to their office and began a wonderful conversation with them over a cup of tea before bidding them farewell. As we left, it was emotional to leave this beautiful country that was filled with living jewels. A part of me knew that this was certainly not my last journey to Japan for koi.
Joining Russell, one of the best koi dealers in America, on this trip was truly a humbling experience. The amount of dedication and knowledge he possesses about koi is one that takes decades to master, and it showed really well on this trip. As an up-and-coming dealer in the koi world, I am grateful to call Russell a friend and truly appreciate the opportunity he gave me to join him on this trip. If one day I can ever be half the dealer he is, I know I will be on the right path.
