Hoshiyone (Takazawa)

Hoshiyone Koi Farm

Nestled in Takezawa, Yamakoshi Village, within Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture, Hoshiyone Koi Farm—also historically known as “Yatobei”—has preserved the art and tradition of koi breeding for over 90 years, through three generations of the Hoshiyone family: Yonetaro, Yoneichi, and now Takeo .

The farm is best known for its rare and foundational Gin Matsuba variety—the shimmering metallic koi that served as the genetic backbone for the iconic Kujyaku breed. Today, Hoshiyone continues to cultivate not only Gin Matsuba but also Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, Ginrin Showa, Kujyaku, and more recently, Kokuryu, showcasing a thoughtfully curated selection rooted in tradition and elegance