After lunch at the trade show at F.A.Miyaishi we went to the Marudoh facility. We finished out the afternoon at Hosokai. The tosai this year are of the usual high standard. Here is a nice selection of nissai I purchased.

It was a pleasure to meet Hosokai san's wife who was very keen to practice her English. Once again they have consented to select a box of tategoi for Causeway Koi - more top quality tosai for your perusal!!

Thursday 13th March.
We spent the full morning at Miyaishi, which isn't difficult given the size of the facilty. I picked a lovely bowl of koi - shown.

Unfortunately Kentaro-san is convinced that these are tategoi. They aren't bought yet. I shall consider them a little longer!

It's always nice to spend time looking at top quality koi. In the recent Nogyosai show Miyaishi won 3 top awards having only entered 4 koi!

After lunch with Miya-san and Kentaro we had a look at Torazo's fish. The day was finished off with a trip away up the mountain to Oofuchi. You can see from the photos that the snow has been very deep up here!

Friday 14th March.
Today we started out early with big plans to visit many of the koi farms. First of all we went to the Miyaishi complex to get the prices of the fish we had selected yesterday. That proved to be interesting!! (hope my wife isn't reading this) After some changes my final bowl of fish ended up like this:

I had also picked out an amazing Sanke, but as it was such a good fish we decided to keep it in Japan. It will spend the summer in the mud pond.

Next we had a look at the koi outside and started bowling up jumbo koi. I bought this showa which measures in at 70cm.

There are just too many amazing koi in Niigata, but you have to settle yourself to pin down what you want to purchase. I picked another bowl of nice nissai.

Picking koi was nicely refreshed by a welcome cup of coffee considering it was quite cold today. We ruturned to the ponds and before we left, we trated to a large lunch comprising 2 huge trays of sushi, soup and breads (which Kaiko had kindly bought for me knowing my dislike for fish!)

In the afternoon we went to Shinoda, had a look at the bullring (buried under snow), and checked out Otsuka's koi. We just had to call in at Izumiya too. His large Ogons need to be seen to be appreciated.

We went to see the fish at Miyatora and revisited Hosokai before heading back to the hotel.

Saturday 15th March.
This morning we started off at Yamazaki. He has many tanks of koi and I managed to get a bowl of nice bright 2 year olds.

After calling in at Chogoru to secure the box of Purachina I had reserved in October, we went on to see Yagenji.

While we were there the boys were busy preparing orders. Here you see them selecting tosai for export.

Whilst up in Yamakoshi we visited Ikarashi and Sakai. The quality of the koi in these pools never cease to amaze you - no matter how many koi you have seen in your life! They are at the pinacle. Unfortunately the prices match the quality - so I have no pictures of koi I purchased here!!

After a traditional lunch of Udon we made our way back down the mountain to see Aoki.

His metallic koi are quite amazing. I have a box of 6-8" reserved for this year.

Well, we got to see all the breeders we wanted to, so we had time for coffee, a little shopping and an early return to the hotel. Thankfully it has given me a little time to update the diary.

Just thought you might appreciate seeing these two show-stoppers from Miyaishi. Every once in a while it's good to push the boat out a bit!

Obviously Miya-san gets very excited about these koi. Here you see him sitting below some accolades recently won at the Nogyosai show.

Sunday 16th March.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end. We had a few bits and bobs to do this morning before calling out to say goodbye to our friends at Miyaishi.

We leave Ojiya for Nagaoka where we take the Shinkansen for Tokyo.

Tokyo is a different world. But we're loving it. Sight-seeing tomorrow. Tourists for a day.

Monday 17th March
Spent the morning in Akihabara. Had a great sight-seeing trip in the afternoon. Amazing views from the Tokyo tower - pictured. Also walked around the grounds of the emperor's palace, saw the National Diet building, spent some time at the Asakusa canon temple and Nakamise Street before finishing up in Ginza.

Tuesday 18th March.
An early start today as we head for home. Tokyo airport is a tourist attraction in itself. If you take time to walk around, there are many interesting things to be found.

Wednesday 19th March.
The chapter after the last.
The much anticipated handing out of goods from afar. The memory of Japan will linger long and the up and coming koi experts in our house look forward to the day when they too will help daddy in Niigata.