Otsuka Koi Farm

Founded in 1962 and transitioning to full-time koi production by 1984, Otsuka Koi Farm has grown into one of Niigata’s most respected multi-variety koi breeders. Today, under the leadership of Yoshikazu Otsuka, the third generation of the family, the farm is admired worldwide for both the quality and diversity of its Nishikigoi.

Covering approximately 50,000 m² in the Koguriyama region of Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture, Otsuka maintains around 50 traditional mud ponds and manages about 30 carefully selected parent stocks. Their annual production of roughly 35,000 koi reflects both the farm’s scale and its dedication to meticulous breeding.

Otsuka Koi Farm is unique in its ability to specialise in variety without sacrificing quality. While some breeders focus on one or two strains, Otsuka has successfully established strong bloodlines across multiple groups:

• Signature Varieties

   

  • Asagi – The farm’s flagship variety, consistently admired for its crisp reticulation, balanced blue tones, and vibrant red/orange highlights.
  • Goshiki – Known for its deep layering of colours, Otsuka’s Goshiki is often considered among the best in Japan. They are also pioneers of Goshiki Showa and Goshiki Sanke, varieties now celebrated on the show stage.

   

• Utsurimono Group

   

  • Ki Utsuri and Kage Shiro Utsuri – Rare and striking, produced in small numbers with distinctive, bold contrast.

   

• Matsuba & Metallic Varieties

   

  • Aka Matsuba – A red-bodied koi with dark pinecone reticulation, giving a dramatic appearance.
  • Beni Kikokuryu – A metallic variety with striking luster, appreciated for its bold patterns.

     

    • Ochiba Shigure – Soft, autumn leaf tones.
    • Budo Goromo – A refined Koromo with grape-coloured reticulation.
    • Go Sanke (Kohaku, Sanke, Showa) – Classic, well-balanced examples of Japan’s most important group.
    • Kawarimono – An ever-evolving collection of unusual koi, showcasing the farm’s willingness to innovate.

     

Otsuka balances scale with traditional care. Their koi are bred in controlled greenhouse facilities during early stages, then transferred to natural mud ponds in Niigata’s mountains for summer growth. These ponds provide ideal conditions for skin quality, body shape, and colour depth.

The farm follows a strict culling process—beginning with hundreds of thousands of fry, only the very best are kept at each stage. By autumn harvest, just a few thousand koi remain, ensuring that every fish carries Otsuka’s hallmark of strength, refinement, and beauty.

What sets Otsuka Koi Farm apart is its dedication to diversity with uncompromising quality. While many farms excel in one or two varieties, Otsuka’s koi across multiple categories stand out for their robust health, refined patterns, and elegant body shape.

The farm has also made notable contributions to koi history, including the successful development of Goshiki Showa and Goshiki Sanke, which are now highly sought-after worldwide and have been awarded at major Japanese koi shows.

Otsuka Koi Farm is a true powerhouse of Niigata koi breeding. From their renowned Asagi and Goshiki to rare Utsurimono and innovative varieties like Goshiki Showa, the farm represents both tradition and progress. With decades of expertise, large-scale facilities, and a precise eye for refinement, Otsuka continues to deliver koi that embody the very best of Japanese craftsmanship.