10 Tips for newly visiting Koi hobbyists.

1. Carry your passport with you at all times.

Japan maintains strict immigration policies, and foreign visitors may occasionally be subject to random police checks without prior notice. To avoid potential delays or stress, including the possibility of detention, we kindly recommend keeping your passport on hand at all times. Being prepared ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience during your visit!

2. Watch your step!

Certain Koi farms in Japan use lightweight Styrofoam boards or thin bamboo mats to cover parts of their indoor concrete ponds, primarily to prevent Koi from jumping out. However, these covers can be deceptive, and each year, international visitors occasionally step on them, mistaking them for solid platforms. The fragile materials often give way, resulting in an unexpected dip in cold water. For a safer and more enjoyable visit, please stay mindful of these covers near pond edges and consider safeguarding your phone and other valuables.

3. Don't Cross Contaminate

For Koi enthusiasts eager to capture stunning photographs, we encourage you to admire these beautiful fish without dipping your hands into the facility’s water. Kindly refrain from introducing tools, nets, or even waterproof cameras into the ponds unless you’ve sought permission beforehand. To protect the health of the Koi, please take care to prevent cross contamination between ponds or facilities. Always ask for guidance before attempting to catch or net fish—your cooperation helps maintain a safe environment for everyone!

4. Serious inquiries only

When exploring multiple Koi breeder facilities, you’ll encounter a vast selection of hundreds or even thousands of exceptional fish available for purchase. To respect the breeders’ time and the experience of fellow visitors, we encourage you to inquire about the price of fish only if you’re genuinely interested. With the high volume of tourists, frequent price queries for fish you don’t intend to buy can become a burden, so please consider this as you engage with the facilities!

5. Keep up the pace

When exploring multiple facilities or ponds to purchase Koi, it’s critical to finalize your selections at one facility or pond before moving to another or facility or pond. Leaving fish in viewing bowls for too long dangerously depletes oxygen levels, and risks their health from jump-damage. There is a certain level of etiquette which is expected by the breeders in these settings, therefore, maintain a swift pace without wandering between ponds and neglecting initial choices, this would demonstrate respect and understanding for these vital issues.

6. Do not turn off air pumps

When visiting Koi farms, always consult with the farm owner or breeder before turning off an air pump yourself.

In many cases the breeder will turn off the pumps themselves.

If permitted to turn off an air pump, be sure to turn it back on before you leave, or notify the breeder.

It would be in your best interest not to be the one that killed a whole pond of Koi. :)

7. Insults and criticism of Koi - Don't do it

It is understood that most buyers are looking for high quality Koi, and in this endeavor not every Koi meets the standards of

every buyer, that being said, when visiting Japan and Koi farms it's always advised to keep criticisms or insults of Koi or farms to yourself, breeders take pride in their work and craft.

8. Do not cancel purchases

When visiting a farm, if you agree to purchase a fish from a breeder and/or you shake hands, the sale is final. Verbal agreements in the Koi industry of Japan are taken seriously.

9. Don't wear too much perfume or cologne

Number 9 is a funny one, but in Japan the term "smell violence" has been thrown around in the recent years, try to keep your fragrances to a minimum if possible. And if you don't heed this advice, don't be surprised if you are asked to leave an establishment.

10. Be polite

This is one that shouldn't have to be told, but experience has shown me otherwise, but when in Japan, try to be polite.

Please try to follow all rules of decency, don't fight, don't use violence, don't argue with people or cause trouble, and don't break the law.