Yamatokoriyama, a castle town just southwest of Nara, is famous across Japan as a capital of ornamental goldfish, bred here for some 300 years since samurai took up the hobby in the Edo period. Today goldfish are woven right into the town’s identity: rows of breeding ponds shimmer on its outskirts, goldfish motifs decorate the streets, and playful touches — goldfish in an old telephone booth, goldfish vending machines and shop displays — turn a stroll into a treasure hunt. The town hosts the National Goldfish Scooping Championship each August, and its castle ruins and old streets add historic charm to a delightfully offbeat day out.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Yamatokoriyama, Nara |
| Hours | Farms & shops daytime; town always open |
| Admission | Free to wander; farms/scooping vary |
| Time needed | Half day |
| Best time | Year-round; August scooping championship |
What to Do
- Goldfish breeding farms and shimmering ponds on the outskirts.
- Quirky goldfish sights — phone booth, vending machines, motifs.
- The National Goldfish Scooping Championship each August.
- Yamatokoriyama Castle ruins and old castle-town streets.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Akahada ware pottery in the area.
- Pair with a return to Nara Park and its temples.
- Read our Nara overview .
Getting There
- By train: Kintetsu to Kintetsu-Koriyama or JR to Koriyama, both short trips from Nara.
- On foot: the goldfish sights and castle are walkable from the stations.
Tips
Yamatokoriyama is a fun, offbeat half-day from Nara — hunt down the goldfish phone booth and vending machines, visit a breeding farm to see the ponds, and try goldfish scooping (kingyo-sukui) yourself. Time a visit for the August National Goldfish Scooping Championship if you can, and add the castle ruins and old streets for a dose of the town’s samurai-era history.
