Incredible Experiences
We currently offer two distinct Japan experiences, each with its own feel and purpose:
Autumn Harvest Buying Trip (November) – All-inclusive, focused on high-level koi purchasing at harvest.
Winter Koi Show & Niigata Snow Trip (January) – Immersive, atmospheric, and ideal for value-focused buying and soaking in the culture.
Both trips are led and curated by Tony Pitham and the Koi Water Barn team, drawing on decades of relationships with Japan’s top breeders.
November
Our autumn journey is built for those who are serious about koi. This is prime harvest season, when mud ponds across Japan are drained and the year’s very best koi are brought in, bowl by bowl.
What to Expect
We begin in major hubs such as Tokyo or Ogata and travel across Japan, heading to the southern regions and then into the mountains of Niigata – the birthplace of nishikigoi.
You’ll visit world-renowned breeders, walk their farms, and see harvests as they happen.
All-Inclusive Convenience
For this trip, every practical detail is taken care of for you:
International flights (organised for you)
Bullet trains and internal transfers
Taxis, hire cars, and local travel
Hotels along the route
Most meals arranged so you can focus on koi, not logistics
You secure your place, and we handle the rest.
Designed for Serious Buyers
This trip is aimed at collectors ready to purchase at harvest time. You’ll have access to freshly harvested koi at their very best, with the guidance, translation, and negotiating expertise of Tony and the team.
Expect to see high-grade koi, rare varieties, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Indicative Pricing
The autumn tour is a premium, all-inclusive experience, with pricing typically starting from around £4,000 per person (final costs are confirmed closer to each departure).
January
If the autumn tour is about securing harvest-season koi at the top end, the January trip is about experience, atmosphere, and value.
The All Japan Koi Show
A highlight of the winter trip is a visit to the All Japan Koi Show – the most prestigious koi event in the world.
Here you can:
See Grand Champions and prize-winning koi up close
Experience the buzz of Japan’s koi community
Understand standards of quality at the very highest level
It’s an unforgettable education in what truly world-class koi look like.
Niigata in Winter
From the show, we head into Niigata’s snow-covered mountains:
Visit top breeder farms surrounded by stunning winter scenery
Experience the unique feel of koi houses in the cold season
Enjoy the charm of Japanese hospitality in winter – hot springs, cosy lodgings, and crisp mountain air
What’s Included (and What Isn’t)
The winter trip is more flexible:
Included:
All hotels during the trip
All transport within Japan (including bullet trains, local transfers and farm access)
Not Included:
International flights
Food
We’re always happy to advise on the best flights to book and general travel planning, so you still get a smooth, stress-free experience – just with a bit more freedom and choice in how you travel and dine.
CONTACT US
Koi Water Barn ltd, Coolings, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Sevenoaks,
Kent, TN14 7N
Phone: 01689 878 161
Email: info@koiwaterbarn.com
OPENING TIMES
Tuesday – Saturday : 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 4:00pm
Monday: Closed