Born of Ibaraki’s original breed line Rose D-1 — Ibaraki’s representative brand pork, celebrated for its tender, umami-rich meat.
Hitachi no Kagayaki is a brand pork representing Ibaraki Prefecture, with the entire prefecture as its production area, managed and promoted by the Hitachi no Kagayaki Promotion Council. Its defining feature is the breed. In crossbreeding, the selected Duroc line ‘Rose D-1’ — independently developed by Ibaraki Prefecture — is adopted as the sire, with a three-breed cross of Landrace × Large Yorkshire sows. Rose D-1 has the outstanding characteristic of containing a rich intramuscular fat content compared to standard pork. It is this combination with this breed line that is the single greatest factor elevating the meat quality of Hitachi no Kagayaki to a distinctly higher level. Furthermore, by giving the specially designed ‘Hitachi no Kagayaki Dedicated Feed’ for a set period during the fattening stage, individual variation is suppressed while uniform meat quality and stable quality are reliably maintained. The finished pork features a soft, juicy texture and a prominently deep umami, with an elegant sweetness and a light, clean fragrance in the fat. The uniform penetration of fine fat throughout the lean has earned high praise even from acclaimed chefs. Shipping is at approximately 180 days, with annual shipments of approximately 19,000 head — one of the leading scales within Ibaraki Prefecture. A designated retailer system is in place, delivering to consumers through reliable, quality-managed sales channels. Institutionally established through trademark registration in 2019 and brand standards set in 2018, this is a widely trusted brand within and beyond Ibaraki Prefecture, consistently chosen for many tables as the byword for Ibaraki pork.
Basic Information
- Name
Hitachi no Kagayaki - Production Area
Ibaraki Prefecture - Management Body
Hitachi no Kagayaki Promotion Council - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male: Duroc (Rose D-1); also Female (Large White × Landrace) × Male: Duroc (Rose D-1) - Meat Characteristics
Three-way cross using Ibaraki’s proprietary Rose D-1 Duroc bloodline. Abundant intramuscular fat; soft texture, rich flavor, and excellent aroma. - Feed Characteristics
Proprietary ‘Hitachi no Kagayaki’ dedicated feed given during the fattening period for a set duration. - Shipping Age
Approx. 180 days - Annual Production
Approx. 19,000 heads/year - Signature Dish
Not specified - Certifications
Trademark registered: August 9, 2019
Brand standards established: October 10, 2018
Designated retailer system in place - Related URLs
Hitachi no Kagayaki Promotion Council – Official Site - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.61
Hitachi no Kagayaki Promotion Council Official Site
Last updated
June 21, 2026