New values born from fish tanks
Matsuda Koi Farm’s ‘YOKO-KOI Contest’
There are many ways to enjoy Nishikigoi, but an aquarium is an essential item. It is easy for beginners to set up and is often seen as a good way to get started, but seeing Nishikigoi from the side is a unique pleasure that only an aquarium can offer.
Rather than using aquariums as a substitute for ponds, Masataka Matsuda of Matsuda Koi Farm (Aomori) started the ‘Yoko Koi Contest’ to promote a new way of enjoying koi. The contest is planned and broadcast on the farm’s YouTube channel, and following the success of the first and second contests held last year, the third contest was held in May this year.


Entry is free, and koi purchased from places other than Matsuda Koi Farm are also eligible. The only condition for entry is that the koi must be beautiful when viewed from the side. Participants send images of their koi taken through the aquarium, and Mr. Matsuda and the sponsoring companies judge the entries and decide the winners. The first, second, and third place winners receive electronic money (PayPay) as prize money. The results are announced on the channel.
‘I started this contest because I wanted people to know that Nishikigoi can be kept in aquariums and that they are attractive when viewed from different angles, not just from above,’ said Mr. Matsuda. Many of the participants are repeat customers, and ‘we received many inquiries asking when the next contest would be held. Thanks to this, the number of sponsors has increased with each contest.’


The fact that the exchange of personal information is kept to a minimum also seems to make it easy to participate, and Mr. Matsuda says that he would like to continue sharing the joys of Nishikigoi and useful information through YouTube.