Extra Selection 2026 – Japan 🇯🇵

February 2026. We returned to Japan for an Extra Selection , an additional trip to the traditional autumn selection.

Why an extra selection?

After the October 2025 selection, the response was extraordinary: almost all the copies were sold very quickly. We received numerous requests and many customers asked us for new opportunities.

For this reason we have decided to organize a second annual selection : a concrete opportunity for those who were unable to purchase in the autumn and for those who wish to expand their collection with new specimens.

The Extra Selection 2026 therefore represents a second exclusive window to directly access the best koi available at this time of year.

Arrival in Japan

The first day was short but intense. We traveled all night and landed in Tokyo around 12:50 .

After landing, we picked up the car and began the drive toward our destination. Along the way, we stopped in various areas to sample some traditional Japanese dishes : a small ritual that always marks the official start of our selection trips.

The day ended around 9:30 PM , when we arrived at the hotel. Now it's time to rest: starting tomorrow, the selection process gets underway.

The journey has begun. 🐟

Day 2 – First important selections

The day began with a decidedly non-Italian breakfast: not croissants and cappuccino, but sausages. An energetic start to a busy day.

First stop: Izuru Koi Farm . Here we also met our agent and purchased a significant batch of 56 Tosai , including:

• Dainichi Tosai with excellent quality-price ratio
• Tosai by Izuru , also very interesting

After Izuru we moved on to Marusei , where we selected 14 very beautiful Nisai , always with an excellent quality-price ratio.

Unfortunately, the Nisai tanks at Ushikin were already sold out, while at a small farm next door we found nothing interesting.

We also stopped by Marusei to see the "beasts," but the owner wasn't there: the appointment was postponed to the next day.

Last stop at Marudo : we saw some interesting specimens but the breeder was busy, so we'll be back.

The day ended with a sushi dinner with Alessio, one of the few Italians in Niigata.

Day 3 – Between snow, a 92cm Showa and a rare butterfly

The day began with some difficulty: we climbed up to Yamanaka Oya , in the middle of the snow, but without managing to find what we were looking for.

In the afternoon we built a box at Maruhiro , but the real turning point came in the evening: a 92 cm Showa seen in the morning at Marusei had impressed us.

After a phone call with a customer from Italy, who purchased two 61 cm Sansai, we decided to confirm the 92 cm Showa as well.

In the evening, curiously, we ate a carbonara at Jolly Pasta … in Japan.

Day 4

Morning dedicated to photographs and selections from Marusei.

Afterwards we went to Yamasan , where we purchased:

• 10 butterflies of about 40 cm, specimens very difficult to find in Italy
• 15 Nisai with excellent value for money

In the afternoon, still at Marusei , we bought:

• 1 Karashigoi 60 cm
• 2 Kohaku
• 2 Showa
• 1 Shiro Utsuri of 80 cm

An extremely satisfying day, which of course ended with sushi.

Day 5 – Big Koi, Dainichi and Lemon Yellow Yamabuki

Morning dedicated to photography at Marusei : we confirmed and purchased 5 koi for our customers.

We later purchased another 80cm Big Koi .

Along the way we stopped in front of a peculiar sight: a row of hot air balloons with giant carp .

After lunch we stopped by Dainichi , where we saw incredible specimens as always.

Finally, along the Koi Mountain road, we stopped at Sakazume where we created another enclosure of four koi, including a truly spectacular lemon-yellow Yamabuki .

A busy but extremely productive day.