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All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show (全日本総合錦鯉品評会) is an annual koi show held in January at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center in Ota-ku, Tokyo, organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA, also known as Shinkokai)[1][2]. It is described by the association as the largest nishikigoi event in Japan and the world, with its champion awarded the title “Best Nishikigoi of the world”[1].
The show traces its origin to the 1960s, when numerous koi shows were held independently across Japan but none represented the country as a whole[7]. A show at the Takanawa Prince Hotel in Shinagawa, sponsored by the Tokyo Koi Club under chairman Tatsuro Tsuruta, became a catalyst: at that event a Kohaku (紅白) measuring 63 cm, bred by Miyaishi Koi Farm and winner of the Minister's Award at the 7th Niigata Nishikigoi Show in 1967, was displayed, prompting discussion among Tokyo and Niigata breeders about forming a national-scale show and organization[7].The 1st All Japan Nishikigoi Show was held in December 1968 at the Hotel New Otani Garden Hall in Tokyo, sponsored by the Niigata Koi Association of Niigata[7][5]. The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association was then officially established in January 1970, during the 2nd show[7][5][3]. The event has been held at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center since at least the 10th show in January 1978[5].

Overview and organizer

The show is one of three world-class events run annually by the JNPA, alongside the All Japan Young Koi Show and the International Junior Koi Show[3][8]. The association describes it as a dream stage for everyone involved in koi, attracting many overseas exhibitors each year[1]. According to the Japanese Fisheries Agency, the event is the largest nishikigoi gathering in the country, held annually between January and February[4].The JNPA was incorporated as a general incorporated association in May 2020 and reported 299 domestic and 223 overseas members (522 total) as of June 2024, with its chairman being Futoshi Mano[3].

Recent entries and scale

According to Japan's Fisheries Agency, the 56th show, held in the 2025 fiscal year (Reiwa 7), drew 1,995 koi, comprising 624 from within Japan and 1,371 from overseas[4]. At the 53rd show, held January 28–29, 2023 at Tokyo Ryutsu Center, 1,889 koi were exhibited in total[6].At that 53rd show, a Taisho Sanshoku (Taisho Sanshoku) exhibited by Yuan Jiandong of China won the grand champion title, the variety's first win in 19 sessions; the fish was bred by Sakai Fish Farm Co., Ltd. in Hiroshima, and at six years old measured 100 cm with notable body shape and ink[6]. The same year also saw the launch of “The 1st Airs Koi World Nishikigoi Show,” described as the world's first AI-judged online competition, in which 520 Kohaku (Kohaku) entries from 11 countries competed; its grand champion was a 93 cm Kohaku exhibited by Johnny Ng of Singapore and bred by Dainichi Koi Farm Co., Ltd. in Ojiya City, Niigata[6].

Schedule and venue

The show is consistently held at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center, located at 6-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo, typically on a weekend in late January[2]. According to the JNPA's published schedule, the 54th show took place January 27–28, 2024; the 55th took place January 25–26, 2025; the 56th took place January 24–25, 2026; and the 57th is scheduled for January 30–31, 2027[2]. The host for these events is listed as the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, reachable via a Niigata-based telephone number[2].

Judging criteria

According to the JNPA, there are four general criteria used in evaluation: body shape, quality, finish, and pattern[9]. Body shape is considered the most important item, with larger adult koi valued more highly, and judges look for symmetry and even body lines along with a plump, well-balanced build from head to tail[9]. Quality refers to the clarity and uniformity of color: scarlet should be a thick red, black markings (sumi) should be deeply black, and the white skin should be clear[9]. Finish depends partly on the physical condition of the koi at the time of judging, with a shiny red or black color against a porcelain-white background considered a “good finish”[9]. Pattern preferences vary, but for Kohaku, round dots and three- or four-tiered step patterns tend to be favored, while for Taisho Sanshoku, judges tend to prefer koi with shoulder ink (sumi)[9]. A related JNPA source summarizes judging around three main criteria: body shape, quality, and pattern, with body shape particularly emphasized[8].The All Japan Nishikigoi Show has at times been affected by disease outbreaks and natural disasters. The 36th show, scheduled for 2004, was canceled due to a koi herpesvirus (KHV) outbreak, and an International Nishikigoi Summit was held instead[5]. Later that year, the Chuetsu earthquake in Niigata caused serious damage to the koi production area[5]. In 2011, the East Japan earthquake led to cancellation of the 29th All Japan Young Koi Show, though a charity event was held in its place[5].The JNPA has also held its major shows outside Tokyo on occasion: the 41st All Japan Nishikigoi Show was held for the first time in Niigata, at TOKI MESSE, in February 2010[5].

Significance and recognition

Nishikigoi have been designated Niigata's “Ornamental fish” since May 2017[5], and in October 2022 nishikigoi were certified as the “National Fish” by the Japan Ornamental Fish Promotion Business Association[5]. That December, the Japanese government added koi as a key export species[5]. According to the US dealer Kodama Koi Farm, the show has historically been visited by overseas and local dignitaries, including members of the Japanese imperial family, and more than 4,000 koi are said to be gathered from across Japan each year; the dealer also states that roughly 40 years ago the show adopted the subtitle “Kokugyo no Saiten” (国魚の祭典), meaning “festival of national fish”[10]. This claim about entry numbers differs from JNPA and Fisheries Agency figures of around 1,889–1,995 koi for specific recent editions[6][4], and should be treated as a secondary, dealer-sourced estimate.The JNPA (also referred to as Shinkokai) is one of two major Japan-based koi organizations; the other, Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA), runs its own ZNA All Japan Show lineage that developed separately from shows in western Japan beginning in 1966, with its first truly national show in 1969[11][12]. Internationally, the two organizations have sometimes cooperated: the All Asia Cup Koi Show, held annually in a different Asian country, is jointly organized and judged by both the Shinkokai (JNPA) and ZNA[13]. The 1st Asia Cup Koi Show, held in Singapore in May 2008, featured judges from both ZNA and the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association[14].

Common questions

Where is the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show held?
It is held at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center in Ota-ku, Tokyo, typically on a weekend in late January[2].
How many koi are entered in the show?
According to the Fisheries Agency of Japan, the 56th show drew 1,995 koi (624 domestic, 1,371 overseas)[4]; the 53rd show in 2023 drew 1,889 koi according to the JNPA[6].
When was the first All Japan Nishikigoi Show held?
The 1st All Japan Nishikigoi Show was held in December 1968 at the Hotel New Otani Garden Hall in Tokyo[7][5].
Who organizes the show?
It is organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA), established in January 1970[5][3].
What criteria do judges use at the show?
The JNPA lists four general criteria: body shape, quality, finish, and pattern, with body shape considered the most important[9].

References

  1. ^ The result of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/result/. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ Schedule of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/schedule/. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ Message from the President / Overview of the organization - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/about/profile/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ Inland water fisheries information no. 47 (Fisheries Agency of Japan). Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan). jfa.maff.go.jp/j/enoki/attach/pdf/naisuimeninfo-47.pdf. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ History of the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/about/history/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ Scene from the koi show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/scene/. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ History of Nishikigoi show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/history/. Retrieved November 2026.
  8. ^ Q&A - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/qa/. Retrieved November 2026.
  9. ^ Examination criteria - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/examination/. Retrieved November 2026.
  10. ^ What is a Nishikigoi? - Koi Fish History Explained and Meaning. Kodama Koi Farm (koi dealer). kodamakoifarm.com/what-is-nishikigoi-history-meaning/. Retrieved November 2026.
  11. ^ About. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/about. Retrieved November 2026.
  12. ^ What is Zen Nippon Airinkai? – Zen Nippon Arinkai Southern California. znasocal.org. znasocal.org/a-homepage-section/. Retrieved November 2026.
  13. ^ Jureren tijdens de 11e All Asia Cup - Besems.eu. besems.eu. besems.eu/2018/04/13/jureren-tijdens-11e-all-asia-cup/. Retrieved November 2026.
  14. ^ 1st Asia Cup Koi Show press release, 29 April 2008. yumpu.com. yumpu.com/en/document/view/47645378/1st-asia-cup-koi-show-inaugural…. Retrieved November 2026.