A miracle of aging born of Niigata’s snow — a snow-aged pork where the snow room draws out a tenderness and umami unlike anything else.
The abundant snow created by Niigata’s winter. ‘Yukimuro Jukusei Buta (Snow-Cellar Aged Pork)’ applies to pork aging the traditional preservation technique ‘yukimuro’ — which utilizes snow as a natural refrigerator. This brand, managed by Niigata City’s meat wholesaler Woshoku Co., Ltd. since 2011, adopts a ‘snow aging’ (snow-cellar aging, or snow-aging) method of placing Niigata Prefecture-produced pork in a yukimuro and slowly aging it for a fixed period. The interior of the yukimuro maintains a stable environment of approximately 1–2°C and 90%+ humidity year-round. With no vibration from machinery, the slow aging of the pork progresses without stress — a defining characteristic. In this process, enzyme action breaks down the meat fibers, and proteins decompose to increase free amino acids — tenderness and umami are dramatically drawn out. With less of the strong, gamey aroma seen in typical aged meats — widely regarded as easy to eat by a broad range of people. The breed is a three-breed cross — (Landrace × Large Yorkshire) female crossed with Duroc. The feed uses self-blending — shipped at 180 days of age and body weight 110–115 kg. Annual shipments approximately 3,000 head. The primary slaughter facility is Niigata Meat Plant, with Woshoku handling wholesale. This pork — slowly aged in a yukimuro — is particularly recommended in preparations that directly enjoy the ingredient’s flavor such as simple salt and pepper grilling, shabu-shabu, and sukiyaki. The mellow sweetness and deep umami of the meat juices spreading richly from the moment it enters the mouth enriches the table. Please do enjoy the premium pork flavor cultivated by Niigata’s snow.
Basic Information
- Name
Yukimuro Jukusei Buta - Production Area
Echigo Yukimurogura / Uoshoku Co., Ltd. (Niigata City, Niigata) - Management Body
Uoshoku Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross (LWD): Female (Landrace x Large White) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Melt-in-the-mouth tenderness and deep, mature umami from traditional yukimuro snow-cellar aging at 0°C and natural humidity - Feed Characteristics
Uoshoku in-house self-blended feed (proprietary formulation); pork aged in yukimuro snow cellar at constant 0°C and high humidity after slaughter - Shipping Age
Not specified (plus yukimuro aging period) - Annual Production
Approx. 3,000 head annually. Shipping age: 180 days; shipping weight: 110–115 kg. - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registration: April 22, 2011 - Related URLs
Uoshoku Co., Ltd. (Official Site) - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.127
Uoshoku Co., Ltd. (Official Site)
Echigo Yukimurogura Brand Site
Niigata Direct Delivery
Cuisine Kingdom (Ryori Oukoku)
Last updated
6/21/2026