Rising Sun Koi

Tucked behind Foster Road off I-205 in Portland, Rising Sun Koi is the kind of place you have to know about to find — and once you do, you won't go anywhere else for pond fish. The entrance is around back, the storefront is admittedly rough around the edges, and there's no glossy showroom to speak of. But what you'll find inside is a passionate, deeply knowledgeable owner who has been running this one-man operation for years and who treats his koi with a level of care that shows up immediately in the health and beauty of his fish.

Rising Sun specializes in authentic Japanese koi — not the domestic breeds you'll find at big-box stores. The selection ranges from two-inch juveniles to striking sixteen-inch specimens, including harder-to-find varieties like blue koi. Multiple customers report that fish purchased here dramatically outperform koi bought elsewhere in terms of growth, behavior, and color.

One reviewer noted the difference was "night and day" and now refuses to buy pond fish from any other source. Beyond the fish, the shop stocks pond equipment, replacement parts (including Laguna brand), pumps, aerators, and floating pond plants like water hyacinths and water lettuce at prices well below competitors. The owner's real value, though, is his expertise.

He'll spend serious time helping you design and build a koi pond from scratch — drawing schematics, discussing measurements, and steering you away from unnecessary purchases. One customer came in with only a vague idea for a pump setup and left with a complete plan and all necessary materials. Another credits a single phone call with saving their koi pond.

The store won't win any awards for curb appeal, and communication can occasionally be a challenge, but the owner's willingness to problem-solve is legendary — he once Frankensteined spare parts together to fix a customer's pond filter connector on the spot. For Portland-area pond keepers who care more about healthy, beautiful koi and honest guidance than fancy retail packaging, Rising Sun Koi is the real deal.