“Everywhere you go in Osaka and Kyoto, it’s just crowds… Isn’t there a unique place I can confidently recommend to my clients?”
That’s exactly what I was thinking on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, when I headed to a new destination in Nara Prefecture: Yamatokōriyama City. My goal was to explore Japan’s top goldfish-producing town. In recent years, buyers from countries like South Korea and Thailand have been visiting, and the area has been drawing growing attention from overseas.
In this article, I’ll share a vivid, first-hand report of the FAM trip I joined! All the spots introduced here can be arranged through our company, so feel free to contact us if anything catches your interest!
Yamatokōriyama: Japan’s Top Goldfish-Producing City
Yamatokōriyama, in Nara Prefecture, is super easy to get to—even if you’re new to traveling in Japan! It’s just a 45-minute drive from Osaka, about an hour from Kyoto, and only around 30 minutes from Nara Park.
What makes this town really special is that it’s Japan’s top goldfish-producing city. The tradition goes back over 300 years to the samurai era, when local lords kept goldfish for decoration. On top of that, Yamatokōriyama is full of charm, with rare castle ruins and beautiful natural scenery waiting to be explored.
Goldfish Scooping: A Fun Summer Festival Tradition!?
Our first stop was “Kochikuya,” a place where you can try goldfish scooping.
Remarkably, it’s the only facility in town where you can try “competitive” goldfish scooping. Every August, the National Goldfish Scooping Championship is held right here in Yamatokōriyama!
Curious about what “competitive” goldfish scooping means, I joined in and gave it a try alongside the other participants...
It was trickier than I expected! (Haha) I guess that’s why these goldfish are faster than the ones you usually see at summer festivals.
No matter how carefully I tried to scoop them with the “poi” (the little scooping paper), they would slip away in an instant. In the end, I managed to catch only 11—and came in last place!
But don’t worry! The shop owner gives a friendly little tutorial, and even a beginner like me was able to catch 11 fish. So I think anyone can have a lot of fun trying it out.
I think this activity would be perfect for group tours or MICE events, especially for game-style challenges or team-building exercises! The shop can even come to you, so it’s possible to do it in your hotel banquet hall—super convenient.
**Please note: you can’t take the goldfish home!
If you’re not comfortable with goldfish scooping, no worries—the souvenir shop next door is great for shopping instead!
Goldfish are everywhere, even just strolling through town!
On the way to our next destination, you can encounter all kinds of goldfish along the way.
Besides the manhole-style displays, there are also some unique installations where real aquariums are built into ticket gates or vending machines! Be sure to check them out when you visit.
Hands-On Indigo Dyeing with Local Artisans
Our next stop was Hakomoto-kan “Konya,” where artisans give hands-on lessons in indigo dyeing. You can make your very own original handkerchief or scarf to take home!
The experience takes about an hour and a half, making it easier to join compared to other craft workshops. Here’s the handkerchief I made—I’m so happy with the beautiful pattern!
By the way, there were goldfish here too! (Haha)
Koriyama Castle Ruins: Cherry Blossoms in a Historic Setting
Next, we visited the historic Koriyama Castle Ruins. A local volunteer guide gave us a detailed explanation, covering things you might miss on your own! Unfortunately, the main keep no longer exists, but the stone walls remain in excellent condition, just as they were in the samurai era—making them quite rare in Japan. History enthusiasts will definitely be thrilled.
From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nara, and you might even spot famous sites like Tōdai-ji or Hōryū-ji. The castle is also well-known as a cherry blossom spot, so it’s a perfect place to visit if you want to enjoy the blooms while avoiding crowds.
Take a Break at a Traditional Confectionery Shop
After all that walking, we decided to take a little rest...
Groups of about five can sit on the shop’s veranda and enjoy tea with dango.
If your group is bigger, you can simply browse the shop and do a bit of shopping instead.
One-Day Sake Brewing Experience?!
Our final stop was Nakaya Sake Brewery, founded in 1853. Here, you can not only enjoy sake tasting but also get hands-on experience in brewing your own sake!
*While you can’t take home the sake you made, you can bring home some of the sake brewed by the staff!
Even better, the staff speak both Chinese and English, so you can ask them anything right on the spot!
Recommended For:
- Have seen the main spots in Osaka or Kyoto
- Love wandering through local towns
- Prefer traveling in small groups
- Interested in history and culture
Planning a trip to Nara? FREEPLUS has got you covered!
Free consultations anytime! We can even get back to you on the same day at the earliest , so don’t hesitate to contact us.