Koi shows in Asia
Key facts: Koi shows in Asia range from the regional All Asia Cup, organized jointly by Japan’s Shinkokai and Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA) with a rotating Asian host country[1], to national shows and ZNA chapter events across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and China[2].
Koi keeping and competitive showing have grown across Asia outside Japan, with observers describing a 'growing fraternity' of hobbyists in countries such as China, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia[6]. The region hosts the All Asia Cup Koi Show, described by a Dutch judge who officiated at the 11th edition as 'the biggest koi show in Asia, outside Japan'[1]. The event is jointly organized and judged by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (Shinkokai) and Zen Nippon Airinkai, following an agreement reached in November 2007 between Richard Tan, Alan Nementzik, ZNA chairman Masao Kato and ZNA board member Hiroshi Masuda[1].The inaugural 1st Asia Cup Koi Show took place at the Singapore Expo from 2 to 4 May 2008, with participation from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore, showcasing about 1,500 koi judged by 17 senior judges from ZNA, Shinkokai and participating countries[3]. Zen Nippon Airinkai maintains overseas chapters across much of Asia, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Guangdong (China), Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia (Bandung and Jakarta chapters), reflecting an organized hobbyist base in each of these countries[2].Shows by country
- Hong Kong: ZNA lists a Hong Kong Chapter (Hong Kong Koi Club) led by Tang Chok Lam and Tse Ka Po, indicating an organized local koi club, though sources do not name a specific annual Hong Kong show[2].Taiwan: ZNA America’s events calendar lists a 2025 ZNA Taiwan District Koi Show held 6–7 December 2025 in Hsinchu/Taoyuan City[7]. ZNA also lists several Taiwan chapters, including the Taiwan District, Lovekoi, Yangmei, Formosa and Yushan chapters[2].Malaysia: ZNA lists a Malaysia Chapter (ZNA Malaysia Koi Fish Club) based in Klang, Selangor[2]. A Koi Club of Malaysia Friendship Award has also been presented at an overseas show, indicating cross-border club recognition, though no Malaysian national show details are given in the sources[8].Singapore: Singapore hosted the inaugural 1st Asia Cup Koi Show in 2008 at the Singapore Expo, organized by Richard Tan, president of The Koi Club Singapore, with entries from across Asia[3]. Singapore is also described as a major regional koi trading and clearinghouse hub[5]. ZNA lists a Singapore Chapter (The Koi Club Singapore)[2].Indonesia: Indonesia hosted the 11th All Asia Cup in Jakarta from 11 to 13 May at the ICE Indonesia Convention & Exhibition Center, organized by the Indonesian chapter KOI's together with APKI, ZNA Bandung Chapter and ZNA Surabaya Chapter[1]. According to the same account, the host judge had previously judged at the All Indonesian Koi Show, describing its koi quality as very high, though further details of that show are not given[1]. ZNA lists Bandung and Jakarta chapters in Indonesia[2].Thailand: The 14th Asia Cup Koi Show was held at the Government Complex Hall in Thailand on 16–17 December 2023, where a Taisho Sanshoku bred by Sakai Fish Farm won Grand Champion and a Shiro Utsuri won Jumbo Champion Non-Gosanke B[4]. Thailand is also described as one of the biggest buyers of high-quality Japanese koi[6]. ZNA lists multiple Thailand chapters, including the TKKG Thailand Chapter, East Thailand Chapter, and Phuket & Southern Thailand Chapter[2].Vietnam: ZNA lists a Vietnam Chapter with contacts Nguyen Anh Viet and Le Xuan Truong Thinh[2]. A Vietnam Koi Club's Friendship Award has been presented at an overseas show, indicating an active Vietnamese koi club, though no Vietnamese national show is detailed in the sources[8].China: ZNA lists a Guangdong Chapter led by Leung Hong Man[2]. China is also noted as a growing buyer of koi, with one organizer stating 'China has become a very big buyer too'[6]. No specific Chinese koi show is named in the sources; this remains unverified beyond the chapter listing.
The All Asia Cup
According to a secondary source, the first All Asia Cup was organized in 2007 by the late Hiroji Sakai of Sakai Fish Farm and Richard Tan, then chairman of Koi Club Singapore, and has since grown into an annual event considered comparable in stature to the Combined Shinkokai Show and the ZNA All Japan Show[1]. The event rotates among Asian host countries each year[1]. Earlier called the Asia Cup Koi Show in its first staging, the 2008 Singapore edition used 14 size categories and 16 varieties and awarded five large trophies for Grand Champion along with roughly 800 other trophies[3].At the First Asia Cup Koi Show in Singapore, the Grand Champion was a Kohaku owned by Thai businessman Tepsit Rojratanadumrong, who said he purchased the koi three years earlier from Narita Koi Farm in Japan for the price of a Mercedes-Benz car[6]. Koi owned by Malaysian and Indonesian keepers also won top honors at the same show[6]. ZNA Japan chairman Masao Kato sent a message to the Singapore show describing koi as providing 'self-healing and peaceful feelings' and noting that koi 'never fight among themselves'[6].Regional koi trade context
Several Asian countries outside Japan have long been centers of ornamental fish breeding and trade, including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, China (including Hong Kong), and Malaysia[5]. Singapore in particular serves as the largest worldwide clearinghouse for the import and export of both fresh and marine ornamental fish[5]. Historical US import data from 1989–1992 show that Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia were among the top five exporting nations of ornamental fish at that time[9]. In 2008, the Singapore koi market alone was estimated at about $25 million a year, including re-exports to other countries, particularly Europe, while Japan's koi exports were estimated at about US$500 million[3]. Despite Europe and the United States being the largest buyers by volume, the most expensive koi varieties are reported to be sold mainly within Asia, where, according to Singapore Koi Club president Richard Tan, buyers have 'a better appreciation of their value'[6].ZNA chapter network in Asia
Zen Nippon Airinkai, founded in Japan and expanded into a national and international organization by 1968, lists chapters today in several Asian countries including Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia[10]. These overseas chapters support local show judging and participate in joint events such as the All Asia Cup, where ZNA and Shinkokai judges officiate together[1]. The organization's chapter directory also lists contacts for a Vietnam Chapter and a Guangdong Chapter in China, though detailed national show records for these countries are not given in available sources[2].Entries in this section
- All Asia Cup Koi Show — The All Asia Cup Koi Show is an annual rotating combined koi show held across Asian countries, jointly judged by ZNA and the Shinkokai.
Common questions
What is the biggest koi show in Asia outside Japan?
According to a Dutch judge who officiated at its 11th edition, the All Asia Cup Koi Show is the biggest koi show in Asia outside Japan, jointly organized by the Shinkokai and Zen Nippon Airinkai[1].
Where was the first Asia Cup Koi Show held?
The inaugural 1st Asia Cup Koi Show was held at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre from 2 to 4 May 2008, with entries from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore[3].
Does Taiwan have its own koi show?
Yes; ZNA America's calendar lists a 2025 ZNA Taiwan District Koi Show held on 6–7 December 2025 in Hsinchu/Taoyuan City[7].
Is there a koi show in China?
Sources confirm a ZNA Guangdong Chapter in China but do not name a specific Chinese national koi show; this remains unverified beyond the chapter listing[2].
Where was the 14th Asia Cup Koi Show held?
The 14th Asia Cup Koi Show was held at the Government Complex Hall in Thailand on 16–17 December 2023[4].
Related koi topics
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Zen Nippon Airinkai Overseas Chapter / Friendship Club List | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/zen-nippon-airinkai-overseas-chapter-friendship-club-list/. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ 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.
- ^ The 14th Asia Cup Koi Show | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/the-14th-asia-cup-koi-show-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ UF/IFAS EDIS FA124: The Ornamental Fish Trade. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA124. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ Asia's love of koi (AFP, May 2008). thingsasian.com. thingsasian.com/node/2605.html. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ 2025 ZNA Taiwan District Koi Show. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/koi-events-shows/2025-zna-taiwan-district-koi-show. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ 49th Sydney Koi Show 2026 results (Sydney Koi Show). Sydney Koi Show. sydneykoishow.com/admin/photoresultsnew.toy?eid=206700. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ Fishkeeping (Wikipedia). Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishkeeping. Retrieved November 2026.
- ^ About. Zen Nippon Airinkai America — znaamerica.com. znaamerica.com/about. Retrieved November 2026.