Japan trip, advise and costings.

[mit]

Hi, i've been thinking about a koi trip to Japan, and after the koi muppets on tour last week, it has opened my eyes a little, but there was no real mention of costs, companies to go with etc. I just did a quick search, and came accross yourkoi.net, offering a full break down of costs involved. They are as follows:

Transport £ sterling
All costs may vary with the current exchange rate

Return flights approx 600.00
Train fares from Airport to Nagaoka 90.00
Car Hire and tolls Nagaoka to Isawa 75.00
Coach from Isawa to Narita 20.00
Hotels (average price per person per night) 50.00
Average cost of meals per day 15.00
Car hire in Nagaoka 100.00


Koi Purchases ?
Commission on Koi (minimum £250) 20%
Shipping to UK approx Per Box 150.00

Is this a fair breakdown? For some reason i imagined it to be more costly. I know you can add a fair few £££'s for purchases.
Which company would be the best to go with for your money. There was a strong emphasis on the respect the Japanese dealers have for the guides, it would be nice to have someone who is respected, maybe not as much as Mike Snaden, but not an idiot that they look down at. When purchasing Koi, there was talk of purchasing a box of Tosai, what is the realistic cost for this, i understand quality plays a big part, but an idea would be nice. Also, which time of year would be best, November?

Any thoughts would be great!

Thanks, Tim

[Gazza]

Hi Tim,

Sounds like weave got you thinking

The approximate cost of out trip was around £1,500.00 and then the koi on top.

A box of Tosai can be as little or as much as you want it all depends on the breeder and the quality and of course how many you would like.

The way to look at it is to work out how much you want to pay for the fish and take it from there

[mit]

Yep, it's all your fault! I think i'll put some feelers out, see if there would be anyone that would be interested in going i know, but unlikely i guess.

Cheers again Gazza, Tim

[ageinghippy]

Tim,

Why don`t you try ringing a few dealers? Gary at Gatwick Koi springs to mind, but there are quite a few that will let `customers` accompany them on their buying trips, taking you round visiting all of the breeders, and then take care of the shipping and quarantining of any fish you buy.

Worth thinking about, I`d say.


Chris (another one)

[greg]

Tim,

So who is the dealer you use now to buy your Koi, food, dry goods off etc?

Maybe they are the best starting point?

Then its down to which part of Japan you want to visit? Niigata area, Isawa, Hiroshima.... then tailoring the trip with the right dealer to suit.

BUT.....

Here is a thought... REALLY ask yourself why you want to go!

I went back in 2008 (spring) and bought 4 mid level koi and only one of them is still in my pond so the - magic of picking my own koi in Japan didn't work. I didn't save any money by going and buying my onw out there and i took all the risks of shipping etc. I have bought MUCH better koi since i've been - but not spent much more money than i used too before i went.

Got to say i would seriously question if i would go again - it costs around £1500-£2000 for a 10 day trip all in - flights, hotels, car hire, food 7 drink etc. Then its the koi on top.

So say your yearly budget for koi is £3000 - are you prepared to spend 1/2 to 2/3rds of that on the trip leaving you with £1000 for koi? I wouldn't do it that way again....think of the koi you can buy for the £3000 back here.... take a look around the dealers and you'll see what i mean and they have taken all the risks of shipping etc.

Then again...

If you have a hankering to see the "Mountains" and put images in your head that you've seen yourself with your own eyes then go for it. I only have to look up while sat at the desk here in our back bedroom and see the picture i took stood at Yagenji overlooking Mushigame and i grin. I just think on a tight budget and with the poor yen exchange rate it might not be worth it - sorry to be so gloom and doom.

Finally... if i'd got a BIG budget and it didn't matter then i'd be gone in a jiffy with one of the dealers i use.

[mit]

Very good points, i did think about the money aspect, and spending that in the UK instead, but i really fancy seeing it for myself, and taking in some of the culture on the way(i'm also a big jap car fan). I do understand that any purchases could, and do go a bit off quality wise, but i guess thats the gamble i suppose.
The dealer i use for most things is Avenue Fisheries. I've become quite friendly with Pam, but don't know about trips.I'll have a chat with her to see what her views are.

Thanks again, Tim

[greg]

Tim,

One suggestion i have is that if you fancy seeing "a bit of Japan" is that i know Steve Gibbins of Koi.tours does that kind of thing for instance i know he took in the Japan GP this autumn and things like that but i know nothing about shipping koi, commisions, Quarantine etc on a trip with Steve.

The other option is that you use the trip as a Holiday..... say arrange two weeks there. Base yourself in Tokyo or Osaka or Koyoto. Then arrange to meet up with your chosen dealer for a few days (say 5 or 6) and do the Koi thing. Then once done move onto another location and see a bit.

I know if i go to Japan again i want to see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and would focus a visit around that and Koyoto, with it being the Imperial capital many years ago. Then simply a few days koi hunting. But to do this you would need to be comfortable making your own travel arrangements. This can easy be done using well know hotel brands (eg:- Holiday Inn, New Otani etc) and then the public transport is great.