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All Japan Young Koi Show

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The All Japan Young Koi Show (全日本若鯉品評会) is one of three major annual koi shows organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA), open to koi up to 63 cm, held each March at Himeji Castle Otemae Park in Hyogo Prefecture[1][2].
The All Japan Young Koi Show is a national nishikigoi (錦鯉) exhibition hosted by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA), alongside the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show and the International Junior Koi Show as one of the association's three major annual events[2][6]. It focuses on medium-sized koi, with exhibits typically ranging from 12 cm up to a maximum of 63 cm, most of which are two to three years old[1][4].The show is held annually in March at Himeji Castle Otemae Park in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, a location valued for its setting beside the national treasure Himeji Castle[4][3].

Origins and the 1983 founding

The show traces its roots to March 1983, when the first event was held at the Chuo Park Family Pool in Hiroshima under the name “All Japan Nishikigoi Junior Koi Show,” organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi industry group and sponsored by the All Japan Airinkai[1][7]. The JNPA's own historical timeline likewise records March 1983 as the date of “The 1st All Japan Junior Koi Show,” describing it as “the predecessor of All Japan Young Koi Show”[8].From the third event onward the name was changed to the “All Japan Young Koi Show,” and responsibility for organizing the event was taken over by the JNPA headquarters[1]. The timeline also records the 10th event in March 1992 and the 20th in March 2002, showing a consistent annual cadence apart from occasional disruptions[8].

Venue: Himeji Castle Otemae Park

Himeji Castle Otemae Park became the designated venue from the 39th event in 2023[1]. The JNPA describes the setting as popular with visitors because the show takes place at the base of Himeji Castle, a national treasure and international tourist destination, and notes that many tourists have enjoyed viewing nishikigoi at the venue[4][5].Scheduled dates published by the JNPA show the event recurring each March: the 41st show on March 22–23, 2025; the 42nd on March 21–22, 2026; and the 43rd on March 20–21, 2027, all at Himeji Castle Otemae Park[3].

Cancellations and disruptions

The show has been affected by external events on at least two recorded occasions. In 2011, the 29th All Japan Young Koi Show was canceled following the East Japan earthquake, though a charity event was held in its place[8]. In 2020, the 37th show was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19, along with the 8th International Junior Koi Show; the 37th event was subsequently held for the first time in December 2021, at the Niigata City Industrial Promotion Center rather than its usual venue[8].

Format and scale

Koi exhibited at the show range from 12 cm up to a maximum of 63 cm (about 25 in)[1]. The JNPA notes that most exhibits are two to three years old and that, unlike the larger and bulkier koi seen at adult shows, entries in this competition display a youthful charm[4].At the 39th show, held March 25–26, 2023, 1,894 nishikigoi were exhibited at Himeji Castle Otemae Park[5]. Koi are assessed under the JNPA's general judging criteria of body shape, quality, and pattern, with body shape particularly emphasized[6].

Notable results

At the 39th All Japan Young Koi Show in March 2023, the grand champion was a Kohaku (紅白), 63 cm and three years old, submitted by Vicha Poolvaraluk of Thailand and produced by Okayama Momotaro Koi in Okayama; the same koi had previously won the Kokugyo Award in the show's 58th division, marking the farm's second award in two consecutive years[5]. At the related 10th International Junior Koi Show, a Showa Sanshoku (昭和三色) from Dainichi Koi Farm won the commemorative tournament[5].The All Japan Young Koi Show is one of three major competitions run by the JNPA, alongside the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show, held in January at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center, and the International Junior Koi Show, held in April in Ojiya City, Niigata, for koi under 36 cm[2][3][1]. The JNPA also organizes regional “District Koi Shows” in the Kanto and Kansai regions and “Prefectural Koi Shows” in individual prefectures, and most competitions are free to attend[6]. Schedule information is published in the association's monthly magazine, “Monthly Nishikigoi”[6].

Organizing body

The show is organized by the General Incorporated Association All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, whose chairman as of its 2024 profile statement is Futoshi Mano[2]. The association was established in January 1970 and was incorporated as a general incorporated association in May 2020, with membership composed of koi breeders, dealers, and operators of koi-related products; as of June 2024 it reported 299 domestic and 223 overseas members, totaling 522[2].

Common questions

Where is the All Japan Young Koi Show held?
It is held at Himeji Castle Otemae Park in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, which has been the venue since the 39th event in 2023[1][3].
When was the show first held, and in March 1983?
The first event, then called the All Japan Nishikigoi Junior Koi Show, was held in March 1983 at the Chuo Park Family Pool in Hiroshima, sponsored by the All Japan Airinkai[1][8].
What size koi can be entered?
Entries range from 12 cm up to a maximum of 63 cm, with most exhibited koi being two to three years old[1][4].
How is the show different from the International Junior Koi Show?
The International Junior Koi Show, held separately in Ojiya City, Niigata, is for smaller koi under 36 cm and was created to encourage keeping koi in fish tanks, whereas the Young Koi Show covers larger koi up to 63 cm[1].
Who organizes the All Japan Young Koi Show?
It is organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association as one of its three major annual shows, alongside the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show and the International Junior Koi Show[2].

References

  1. ^ History of Nishikigoi show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/history/. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Schedule of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/schedule/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ The result of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/result/. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ Scene from the koi show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/scene/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ Q&A - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/qa/. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ History of Nishikigoi show - Shinkokai USA Official Website. Shinkokai USA (JNPA). shinkokaiusa.com/history-of-nishikigoi-show. Retrieved November 2026.
  8. ^ 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.