The Koi Year — Shows, Harvests & Seasons
The annual rhythm that ties regions and shows together, from January's All Japan show to autumn's harvest.
| January | All Japan Koi Show, Tokyo — the national peak |
|---|---|
| Spring | Young koi shows and regional shows; spawning season in producing regions |
| Autumn | Harvest (ikeage) in Niigata; national and regional shows |
| Year-round | Nishikigoi no Sato and public displays |
The koi calendar has two engines. The show engine peaks in winter, when grown fish are at their most finished: the All Japan Koi Show fills a Tokyo venue each January, preceded and followed by regional and young-koi shows through spring and autumn. The production engine peaks in autumn, when Niigata's ponds are harvested and the next generation is chosen.
For travellers, the engines suggest two different trips: a January Tokyo show trip, cold and spectacular, or an autumn Niigata trip for harvest season and mountain colour. Summer is growing season — ponds are working systems, fish are mid-development, and facilities carry the visitor load.
Dates move by year and organiser. Treat this page as a rhythm map, and confirm any specific show on the organiser's official announcement before booking.
Sources: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA — summary in our own words, credit only); All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association official; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Finance Ministry trade statistics as published; Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for nishikigoi variety names and definitions (2022); Niigata Prefecture, Ojiya City, Nagaoka City (Yamakoshi) and Nishikigoi no Sato official; Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) visitor statistics; USDA APHIS and Australian DAFF official import guidance. Checked 6 November 2026.