Most koi enthusiasts have probably asked themselves at some time or other when looking at price lists, why not just fly to Japan and buy some there myself? The advantages of this are many and immediate: more choice, more breeders, getting to know the country and its people and gaining an insight into how everything works in such a koi farm. And by the way I thought the same way. But you often don’t see the other side of the coin. During my first Japan trip I was at once confronted with such issues as language, customs or route-planning. I even heavily underestimated the costs. Of course, in principle everyone can purchase koi directly in Japan, but all too often this endeavour works out much more expensive than in the shop, even if you don’t think it will be at first.
