Sweet and gentle right through to the fat — a Shinshu brand pork raised on the pure water of the Southern Alps and a finishing diet of root vegetables.
Kurinton / Shinshu Kurinton — in Takagicho Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture, nestled in the Southern and Central Alps — this is the pork that Chiku Pig Farm raises with devoted care. The brand name derives from the village flower ‘Kurin-so’ (Primula japonica) — which only grows in wetlands with clear spring water. By raising the pigs on clear groundwater drawn from 85 meters underground — almost the same water source as those wetlands — the aim is pork that is ‘clean and refined’ — true to the name. The greatest appeal of Kurinton is the sweetness of the non-gamey fat and the firm umami of the meat remaining in a clean, easy-to-eat finish. Since the brand launch in 2010, it has been cherished at supermarkets and specialty meat shops in local Iida City and Komagane City. This easy-to-eat quality is born from the proprietary rearing method called ‘imo-buta finish.’ By switching to Chubu Feed’s feed 4 months before shipment and giving a special finishing feed with 50% root vegetables and rice, the fat develops a natural sweetness with a clean finish. The breed is a three-breed cross — (Large Yorkshire × Landrace) female crossed with Duroc male. The richness derived from Duroc and the finely-grained meat quality derived from Landrace and Large Yorkshire harmonize magnificently. Annual shipments are not large at 1,000 head (Kurinton; 2,500 head for others) — community-rooted, devoted production is continued. Trademark registered in October 2014, with export achievements as well, attracting attention from overseas markets. Well-received as easy to eat even for those who dislike fat and small children — outstanding compatibility with Japanese cuisine in general including shabu-shabu, tonkatsu, braised pork belly, and nikujaga.
Basic Information
- Name
Kurinton / Shinshu Kurinton - Production Area
Chiku Yoton (Takagi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano) - Management Body
N/A - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross: Female (Large White x Landrace) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Deeply sweet, soft fat from 4-month sweet potato and rice finishing; subtle natural sweetness throughout the lean; universally approachable even for those sensitive to pork fat - Feed Characteristics
Chubu Feed compound base with 50% sweet potato and rice blend for the final 4 months before shipping (imo-buta finishing method) - Shipping Age
Not specified (4-month sweet potato and rice finishing window) - Annual Production
1,000 head annually (plus 2,500 non-Kurinton head). Primary slaughterhouse: Nagano Prefecture Meat Corporation. Primary wholesaler: Yoshikiyo. Available at supermarkets and butcher shops in Iida City and Komagane City, as well as local restaurants. - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registration: October 31, 2014
Brand regulations: not established
Farm HACCP: not applicable
JGAP: not applicable
Export track record; active interest in future exports. - Related URLs
Kurinton Official Site - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.116
Kurinton Official Site
Last updated
6/21/2026