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International Junior Koi Show

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The International Junior Koi Show (国際若鯉品評会) is one of three major annual koi shows organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, dedicated to small koi under 36 cm and held in Ojiya, Niigata[1][2].
The International Junior Koi Show is held each spring at the Ojiya City Gymnasium Community Plaza in Niigata, and is organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (全日本錦鯉振興会, also known as Shinkokai) as one of its three world-class annual koi shows, alongside the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show and the All Japan Young Koi Show[2][5].The show was created to showcase small koi, those under 36 cm, reflecting the growth of aquarium-based koi keeping and interest in koi among owners with limited living space[1][3]. The first event was held in April 2013, and the number of participating countries has grown each year since[1][4].

History and origins

According to the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, the show emerged from the recognition that as breeding techniques improved, koi had gradually grown larger, while demand rose for raising small koi suited to aquarium environments. The association notes that the industry responded by specially breeding small koi under 36 cm, and Niigata organizers created a dedicated show for them[1][7].The 1st International Junior Koi Show was held in April 2013, as recorded in the association's official history timeline[4]. The event was canceled in 2020 (its 8th edition) due to the spread of COVID-19, alongside that year's All Japan Young Koi Show[4].

Format and size limits

The show is restricted to koi measuring under 36 cm, distinguishing it from the association's other two major shows, which permit much larger fish[3][1]. The association states the purpose of the show is to raise awareness that ordinary people can easily raise small koi, and that entrants may use home aquarium tanks rather than outdoor ponds to raise their fish[3].As at other Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association shows, koi are judged on body shape, quality and pattern, with body shape — including skeletal structure and body plumpness — given particular emphasis[6]. For details of judging standards used across koi shows generally, see How koi are judged and Show classes and size categories.

Venue and recent dates

The show is held at the Ojiya City Gymnasium Community Plaza, located at 4915 Sakura-Machi, Ojiya City, Niigata, and hosted by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association[5]. Scheduled dates published by the association include the 11th event (April 20–21, 2024), the 12th event (April 19–20, 2025), the 13th event (April 18–19, 2026), and the 14th event (April 17–18, 2027)[5].The association also reports that the 10th event, held in April 2023, took place over April 22–23 at the Ojiya City General Gymnasium, though the official schedule page lists the venue consistently as the Ojiya City Gymnasium Community Plaza in subsequent years[8][5].

International participation

The association describes the event as a highly international appraisal event, noting that the number of participating countries has increased year by year since the first show in 2013[1][7]. The 10th event, held in 2023, drew participation from 46 countries and regions[1][8].The association reports it had 299 domestic members in Japan and 223 overseas members as of the end of June 2024, reflecting broader international engagement with its shows, including the International Junior Koi Show[2].

Notable results

At the 10th International Junior Koi Show in 2023, the association reports that a Showa Sanshoku from Dainichi Koi Farm won the event's commemorative tournament[8]. In that edition, judges select one fish from Category A (Gosanke) and one from Category B (varieties other than Gosanke), with the overall champion then decided by voting[8].According to the association, the vote in 2023 was decided 24 to 7 in favor of a 36th-division Showa Sanshoku, measuring 36 cm, exhibited by Benedict Campos of the Philippines and produced at Dainichi Koi Farm in Ojiya City; it was the first win at this event for both the exhibitor and the farm[8]. The Category B result went to a 35 cm Ginrin Kohaku, also exhibited by Campos, produced by Maruyama Koi Farm in Yamanashi; the association notes this was Campos's second champion title at the event, and that he was recognized as the most active contestant, also winning Kokugyo Awards in the Young Division, Comprehensive Mini Division, and the 30th and 27th divisions[8].

Relationship to other JNPA shows

The International Junior Koi Show is one of three major annual shows organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, alongside the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show and the All Japan Young Koi Show[2][6]. The association also holds regional District Koi Shows and Prefectural Koi Shows, and publishes schedules and further details in its monthly magazine, Monthly Nishikigoi[6].Unlike the All Japan Young Koi Show, which can exhibit koi from 12 cm up to 63 cm, the International Junior Koi Show is specifically limited to koi under 36 cm[1][3]. More broadly on koi shows held throughout Japan, see Koi shows in Japan; for the association that runs this show, see All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA).

Common questions

What is the size limit for koi entered in the International Junior Koi Show?
The show is limited to koi under 36 cm, in contrast to the association's other major shows which allow much larger fish[3][1].
When and where is the International Junior Koi Show held?
It is held each April at the Ojiya City Gymnasium Community Plaza in Ojiya City, Niigata, with recent and scheduled dates including April 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027[5].
Who organizes the International Junior Koi Show?
It is organized by the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, which also runs the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show and the All Japan Young Koi Show[2].
When was the first International Junior Koi Show held?
The first event was held in April 2013, according to the association's official history[4][1].
How international is the show?
The association describes it as a highly international appraisal event; the 10th show in 2023 had participation from 46 countries and regions[1][8].

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. ^ The result of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/result/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Schedule of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/schedule/. 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. ^ Scene from the koi show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/scene/. Retrieved November 2026.