Day 7

Arriving in Niigata

Arrived at 7.30pm checked into the Nagaoka Grand Hotel eager to update the blog, only to find that the only room available does not have internet access.I will have to wait until I get to Ojiya.I left the hotel early the following morning for the first of my three days in Niigata,first stop was Dainichi always a great place to start, two hours went very quickly, when there are so many quality go-sanke available to see.



These three Showa have all different qualities to them, one has excellent body shape, another great skin and the third a good pattern.When selecting koi this is the best way to buy Koi, body ,skin then pattern, to get all three is not easy and when you do find it you know the price is going to be high.It is always good to make a compromise and that is down to the individual.video quality not good.




This koi has excellent shape for a two year old,wide behind the gills but not too wide for the tail to pinch in, the weight is evenly distributed throught the body.



This koi has great skin quality, soft beni and good deep sumi,the skin has a very soft appearance which will thicken and improve with age.



This koi has a good pattern beni and sumi.



Pattern still developing but fantastic sumi and white skin. I would not be buying koi from Dainichi today that would come later in the week.

Other farms were visited included Marudoh where two Tategoi Yamabuki were bowled for a customer. His new fish house was superb,mainly stocking Sansai and Yonsai,including Kigoi,Kurasagoi, Kohaku, Showa, Shiro utsuri,Kajaku and Hi Utsuri.





Stunning Yamabuki, both female Nisai and 52cm excellent body shape these koi will grow very big.Parents nearly 90cm.



Superb Fukurin and skin quality.These two koi were priced at £1500 each,there were many available and I will definately be back in February to buy some.

A quick stop for lunch then to a few more farms, A visit to Yagenji and five female Yamabuki were purchased.Great body shape and skin and very good value.





Also bowled was a very nice Shiro Utsuri 45cm Female Nisai.Excellent white skin and body shape. The light was fading now so it was a short drive back to my hotel in Ojiya,arriving back at about 5.30pm there was a couple of hours before dinner to update the blog and reply to e-mails.