A Berkshire bloodline tracing back to Meiji 29 — the original black pork. Raised in the land of Fukaya, with finely-grained fibers and a sweetness that reaches even the fat.
Hanazono Kurobuta (Hanazono Black Pork), produced by Kurobuta Meat Hanazono Park based in Kuroda, Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, is a rare pork brand in Japan — with Berkshire breed imported from England in 1896 (Meiji 29) maintained through generations by the Kasahara family in pure bloodline without exception. The defining feature of Hanazono Kurobuta is the fineness of the meat quality unique to pure English Berkshire. The muscle fibers are extremely finely-grained and firm, with the umami of the lean seeping through gently with every chew. Meanwhile, the fat has a high melting point — when it enters the mouth, a gently melting sweetness without any cloyingness. The balance of lean and fat is exquisite — a pork that allows the flavor of the ingredient itself to be enjoyed. The feed uses barley, cassava, sweet potato, wheat, milo, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and salt. By incorporating agricultural product-derived ingredients such as sweet potato and barley, the fineness of the meat quality and the sweetness of the fat are further accentuated. The rearing period is set to 210 days of age, shipping weight approximately 110 kg — taking time to raise slowly is what leads to the rich flavor. Slaughter is carried out at Gunma Prefecture Meat Market, with annual shipments extremely limited at 1,000 head — a brand pork of high rarity value. The trademark ‘Hanazono Kurobuta’ was registered on February 20, 2009 — the authentic brand of the founding Kasahara family, continuing to lead the agricultural culture of Fukaya City. The ingredient’s character stands out in any preparation from tonkatsu and ginger pork stir-fry to shabu-shabu. Please do savor the umami of pure Berkshire — handed down for over 120 years — at least once.
Basic Information
- Name
Hanazono Kurobuta - Production Area
Kurobuta Meat Hanazono Park (Fukaya City, Saitama) — Kasahara family, continuous lineage since 1896 - Management Body
N/A - Breed / Crossbreeding
Pure Berkshire - Meat Characteristics
Extremely fine pure Berkshire muscle fibers with tender texture; white fat with a clean, gently sweet flavor and minimal gaminess - Feed Characteristics
Barley, cassava, sweet potato, wheat, milo, and mineral supplements; agricultural-origin ingredients enhance texture fineness and fat sweetness - Shipping Age
210 days / approx. 110 kg - Annual Production
1,000 head annually - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registered (February 20, 2009) - Related URLs
Hanazono Kurobuta Official Site (Kurobuta Meat Hanazono Park) - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.92
Hanazono Kurobuta Official Site
Last updated
6/21/2026