2nd Nishikigoi Breeding Internship
Hands-on Learning to Inspire the Next Generation

On Thursday, May 22, the Nagaoka City Nishikigoi Breeding Association and Nagaoka City jointly held a Nishikigoi Breeding Internship at the Yamakoshi Branch Office. The program aims to help students in Niigata Prefecture learn about the appeal of Nishikigoi and the koi breeding industry.

Launched last year, the internship runs across four sessions from May to September.

On the first day, 12 students from the International Pet World College (Niigata City) and Nagaoka Agricultural High School (Nagaoka City) participated.

The day began with a welcome address by Makoto Tanaka, Chairman of the Nagaoka City Nishikigoi Breeding Association, followed by a lecture on the history and cultural significance of Nishikigoi and the annual work cycle of koi breeders.

In the afternoon, despite light rain, students took part in the seasonal release of koi into outdoor ponds. Wearing waterproof waders, they carefully netted koi that had been raised indoors during the winter. The koi were then transported by truck to the mud ponds in Tanesuhara, Yamakoshi, where they were released one by one.

Getting up close with the koi, students were struck by their strength and vitality. Through this rare hands-on experience, they also learned about the patterns, varieties, and body structures of Nishikigoi.

The next sessions, scheduled for June and mid-July, will involve visits to koi farms affiliated with the Nagaoka City Nishikigoi Breeding Association, allowing students to experience the breeding process firsthand.

With many breeders in Niigata Prefecture retiring due to aging, nurturing a new generation of koi farmers has become a pressing issue. As the birthplace of Nishikigoi and home to a wide variety of breeds, Niigata’s future in koi culture depends on attracting young talent.

Mr. Araki, Chief of the Fisheries Section at Nagaoka City’s Agriculture and Fisheries Policy Division, commented,
“As the number of members in the Nagaoka City Nishikigoi Breeding Association continues to decline year after year, it’s vital that we preserve the brand and heritage of Nishikigoi in its birthplace. Through this internship program, we hope to spark interest in koi and koi farming among young people—and eventually see a new generation carry on the tradition.”