A rare purebred born in Yamagata, raised on domestic feed rice — the phantom Jinhua pig, celebrated for its beautifully marbled umami and refined richness.
Nihon no Kome Sodachi Hirata Bokujo Junsui Kinkaton (Japan Rice-Fed Hirata Bokujo Pure Jinhua Pig) is an exceptionally rare, highest-grade brand pork that Hirata Bokujo Co., Ltd. in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture has carefully raised since the 1980s. The original breed is ‘Jinhua Pig,’ originating from Jinhua District, Zhejiang Province, China — a globally rare breed widely known as the source pig for Jinhua Ham, one of the world’s three great hams. Within Japan, pure bloodline Jinhua Pigs are maintained and shipped by only two locations including Hirata Bokujo, with annual shipments of approximately 1,000 head. This represents a mere 0.006% of the total domestic pork distribution — explaining why it is called ‘the phantom pig.’ Shipping age is approximately 240 days, and the far longer time required for maturation compared to standard pigs allows the flavor to deepen slowly as a meat ingredient. The body is also roughly two sizes smaller than a standard pig — and this is what enables the realization of a delicate and premium meat quality. In rearing, a plant-based designated compound feed is used — focused on domestically-grown feed rice to support Japan’s food self-sufficiency improvement, with attention to taste enhancement and safety (NON-GMO, PHF). This unique feed design imparts a rich sweetness and depth to the meat. The meat quality is silky and finely-grained, with a degree of fat marbling almost inconceivable in pork — the greatest distinguishing feature. The fat melts smoothly at a low melting point, and its abundance of inosinic acid and oleic acid delivers a rich, aromatic flavor with an outstanding balance of umami and sweetness. Available in limited quantities through Hirata Bokujo’s company-owned stores, official mail-order, and furusato nozei — a supreme brand pork representing Yamagata.
Basic Information
- Name
Hiraboku Junsui Kinkaton - Production Area
Sakata City, Yamagata (designated farms: Yamagata and Hokkaido) - Management Body
Hiraboku Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Jinhua pig (purebred) - Meat Characteristics
Silk-fine muscle fiber with exceptional intramuscular marbling. Fat melts at near-body temperature for an unparalleled mouthfeel; inosinic acid and oleic acid deliver outstanding umami and sweetness. - Feed Characteristics
NON-GMO, PHF-compliant plant-based designated feed centered on domestically grown feed rice, focused on flavor enhancement and food safety. - Shipping Age
Approx. 240 days - Annual Production
Approx. 1,000 head/year (0.006% of Japan’s domestic pork production) - Signature Dish
Shabu-shabu / Steak - Certifications
Brand specification established: March 2002
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award — National Feed-Rice Livestock Brand Competition - Related URLs
Hiraboku Official Site | Jinhua Pig
Hiraboku Online Shop | Junsui Kinkaton - Source
Brand Pork Guidebook 2026 p.51
Hiraboku Official Site
Hiraboku Online Shop
Last updated
June 21, 2026