Why Us

Japan is without doubt one of the most fascinating countries in the world, rich in tradition culture and efficiency, it’s like no other place on earth. Visitors who go there are mesmerised by its unique history knowing that it’s only been several hundred years that this country opened its doors to the world.

Over the last 200 years, Japanese customs and styles have influenced and inspired so many people from around the world.

From its architecture, gardens, Bonsai, cuisine and of course Nishikigoi, it is a country shrouded in mystique, even today in the 21st century.

Welcome to Koivision an online television platform dedicated to all things Nishikigoi and Japanese culture.

These quarterly programs which are primarily filmed in Japan hope to unlock some of that mystery which surrounds this beautiful country. Koivision will travel around the world showing how Nishikigoi and Japanese culture have influenced so many people worldwide.

From in-depth interviews with Japanese koi breeders (in their own words), informative features and cultural films.Koivision will be able to be viewed by streaming directly to your phone, tablet, computer or TV, either as a one off purchase or on a subscription basis, nothing like this has ever been done before.

The team behind Koivision have a wealth of experience of living, working and filming koi in Japan and around the world

Martin Symonds has been visiting Japan since 1981 promoting and suppling koi around the world. In 1999 he began living in the village of Mushigame in Yamakoshi, working on a daily basis with the breeders there.

It’s been three years in the making. The idea seemed simple enough to bring people a high quality television program about Nishikigoi and Japan but the planning, travelling, filming and organisation proved more than easy, however this December 2019 sees the launch of program one.

For nearly forty years he has promoted and written numerous articles in all the worlds leading koi magazines. During these years his close friendship with the breeders and cultural knowledge of Japan has become unique.

 Koivision seemed the next logical step for him to create but he wanted someone on board who also had the experience and in-depth knowledge of working on koi videos and who better than to ask Nik Read who had worked on koi videos 25 years previously

Nik Read of New Vision Productions is part of Koivision. He runs an award winning production company and has had years of experience filming koi, koi ponds and koi companies around the world. He has made many of the very first koi videos and later DVD’s that hobbyists around the world watched. These included Nishikigoi The Movie, The Living Jewels series, Niigata Secrets, The Koi Keepers series, Koi Varieties and the Yamakoshi Trilogy, which he and Martin Symonds together worked on back in the 1990’s.

Koi Varieties

Discussing koi varieties can be a very subjective subject. In each program Koivision select a breeder to explain what they look for in some of their quality koi. Koivision will also get the views in some programs from a leading koi judge about what he thinks about these koi.

Breeders Profile

Japan is famous for so many things but in and around the mountains of Yamakoshi and the village of Mushigame, any koi hobbyist will know that this will be known as the birth place of Nishikigoi. Koivision interview breeders across Japan learning about the history of their farms, aspirations and of course their koi.

Japanese Koi Hobbyists Ponds

In each program Koivision will highlight a Japanese hobbyists pond and his koi collection. These can be very different to koi ponds around the world. So the viewer will get access to the way the Japanese hobbyist keeps koi and views.

Bonsai

Bonsai has a longer history than koi in Japan, Koivision get exclusive access in the Bonsai Art Museum in Omiya and have their very own guide to explain the different varieties of trees and how to appreciate them. They also visit some of the finest Bonsai shops in and around Omiya.

Company Profile

Koivision go inside the leading manufacturers of koi products in Japan as well as around the world, looking in detail at the products they manufacture and hearing from the CEOs about the history and development of their companies.

Niigata Snapshot

Niigata is the homeland of koi but the region is also famous for some many other things and there is always something happening. Whether its koi shows, festivals, firework displays or bull fighting, Koivision will give you an insight into what’s happening.

Travelling in Japan

With a population of nearly 126 million people Japan has one of the very best infrastructures when it comes to travelling around this diverse country. Koivision offer helpful advice on how to get around. Whether it be planes, trains or automobiles they will cover it.

Japanese Culture

“The land of the rising sun,” the five main islands that make up Japan cover a varied culture across the region. Koivision highlight and show interesting features from inside this fascinating and absorbing country.

Toyko Focus

With nearly 40 million people in the metropolitan area of Tokyo, this makes it the largest and busiest city in the world. Vibrant and exciting Koivision show you a different area of Tokyo in each program.                              A must-see city with so much to do and experience.