Yamato-Koriyama Castle & Goldfish Tour from Nara

Summary

Goldfish Culture and Castle Walks in Yamato-Koriyama

You’ll wander castle ruins, meet locals passionate about their city’s goldfish heritage, and try hands-on activities you won’t find anywhere else near Nara. This tour is perfect if you want something relaxed but packed with real stories—and maybe a few surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping off the train in Yamato-Koriyama was how quiet it felt compared to Nara. Our guide, Ms. Saito, met us right at the station—she’s lived here her whole life and knows every shortcut. We wandered towards Koriyama Castle, passing a little bakery with sweet bean buns in the window (I grabbed one for later). The castle grounds are wide open, and if you come in spring, you’ll see locals picnicking under cherry trees—petals everywhere, even on your shoes. The stone walls are massive up close; Ms. Saito pointed out marks left by samurai swords during old battles. There’s this relocated gate from Wakayama too, which looks almost out of place but somehow fits. Up at the top, you get a clear view over town—on clear days you can spot the goldfish ponds glinting in the distance.

We ducked into an old indigo dyer’s house next. It smells faintly of dye and old wood inside—kind of earthy. There’s a small museum tucked away here with antique goldfish nets and some quirky Edo-era prints showing goldfish competitions (who knew that was a thing?). I picked up a hand-dyed keychain as a souvenir; they’re all made by local artists.

Just off the main arcade is Yanagimachi Shrine. It’s not huge or flashy, but there’s this odd baseball connection—apparently folks come from all over Japan to pray for good luck in games. Our guide showed us a wall covered in signed mitts and balls from pro players; it started when a local donated his glove years ago. You might hear kids practicing nearby if you visit on weekends.

The last stop was Kingyoda, just outside town—a massive goldfish production center. I’d never seen so many goldfish in my life: ponds stretch as far as you can see, shimmering red and white under the sun. The museum next door has tanks with rare breeds (some with bubble cheeks so big they look unreal) and old posters about goldfish farming history. There’s even a spot where you can try scooping goldfish yourself—it’s trickier than it looks! By the end of the tour, my camera roll was full of fish photos and castle shots I hadn’t planned on taking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Yamato-Koriyama Castle and Goldfish Tour

• Visit Koriyama Castle and enjoy views
• Explore indigo dyer's house and museum
• Visit baseball-themed Shinto shrine
• Tour Kingyoda goldfish production center and museum

Top questions

How long does the tour take?

The tour usually lasts around 4 hours, depending on group pace and season.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Kids who enjoy walking and hands-on activities like goldfish scooping will love it! Just keep in mind there’s some walking involved.

Can I buy souvenirs during the tour?

Yes! There are hand-dyed accessories at the indigo house and plenty of unique goldfish-themed items in local shops.

What should I wear or bring?

Comfortable shoes are best since there’s quite a bit of walking—an umbrella or hat is handy if it looks like rain or strong sun.

What’s included

Your spot includes a friendly local guide who really knows Yamato-Koriyama, plus all entry fees and taxes covered. Just bring your curiosity (and maybe some yen for snacks or souvenirs)!