Chogoro

Yamacho Koi Farm, also widely known as Chogorou Koi Farm, is a respected breeder based in the Kawaguchi region of Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. Led by Hiroi Nobuaki, the farm has built a reputation over more than 30 years as the world’s leading specialist in Platinum Ogon – one of the most striking and challenging metallic koi varieties to produce.

The origins of Yamacho’s famous Platinum line can be traced back to a carefully planned cross between a female Platinum from Yamazaki Koi Farm and a male Gin Matsuba from Hoshiyone Koi Farm. This combination created the foundation for the pure, luminous metallic sheen that has since become Yamacho’s trademark. Today, their koi are instantly recognisable for their flawless white lustre and elegant simplicity, making them highly prized by collectors worldwide.

Breeding Platinum Ogon at this level requires both expertise and an uncompromising approach to selection. Each summer, the farm breeds around 100,000 young koi, but only 6,000 are chosen to continue growing, with the rest carefully culled. This strict process ensures that only the very best specimens, with the clearest skin, strongest bodies, and most vibrant metallic finish, represent the Yamacho name.

Although Platinum Ogon remain the farm’s signature variety, Yamacho also breeds other metallic koi. However, it is their Platinums that have defined their reputation and established them as the undisputed masters of this elegant variety. With a farm size of around 20,000 m², Yamacho balances tradition and precision with a focus on producing quality over quantity, a philosophy that has earned them international acclaim.