The bounty of the land that grew the wheat — Gunma’s pride, a brand pork produced with careful, planned precision.
Joshu Mugibuta (Joshu Barley Pork) is a brand pork managed by Gunma Prefecture Meat Wholesale Market Co., Ltd., based in Tamamura Town, Sawa District, Gunma Prefecture. Produced in planned fashion at contracted farms within Gunma Prefecture based on the rearing management manuals and hygiene manuals established by the JA Group — one of the brand porks representing Gunma, boasting stable quality and supply. The key to rearing is the brand pork dedicated feed given from approximately 120 days of age through to shipment. This feed is formulated with an abundance of grains and barley, with the complete exclusion of animal protein being a major defining feature. By raising carefully on a barley-rich feed, the characteristic pork off-odor is suppressed and a clean, non-gamey, refined flavor is born. In terms of meat quality, the greatest appeal is firm, compact texture with outstanding water retention. Moisture rarely escapes even with heat, with a moist texture that persists — the authentic umami of the ingredient can be firmly enjoyed in simple preparations like ginger pork stir-fry and pork sauté. Also in shabu-shabu and loin katsu, the sweetness and tenderness of the meat stand out. Gunma Prefecture is known as one of Japan’s premier pork production areas, with the abundant production know-how and thoroughgoing quality management of this production area supporting the stable quality of Joshu Mugibuta. The scale of approximately 45,000 head shipped annually also indicates the richness of the production system across the entire production area. Please do try Joshu Mugibuta — born in Gunma, raised with a thorough commitment to feed and planned rearing — at your everyday table.
Basic Information
- Name
Joshu Mugibuta - Production Area
Designated farms in Gunma Prefecture - Management Body
Gunma Meat Wholesale Market Co., Ltd. (Sales Division) - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male: Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Firm texture with excellent water retention and minimal off-odors. Clean, refined flavor from wheat-rich, animal-protein-free diet; consistently moist even when cooked. - Feed Characteristics
Proprietary brand-specific finishing feed from around 120 days of age through shipping. Grain and wheat-rich formula; animal protein completely excluded. - Shipping Age
Approx. 180 days - Annual Production
Approx. 45,000 head annually - Signature Dish
Shogayaki (ginger pork stir-fry) - Certifications
Trademark registration: August 24, 2007
Brand regulations in place (quality certification standards and trade conditions established) - Related URLs
Gunma Meat Wholesale Market | Brand Pork
Gunma Pork Kingdom | Joshu Mugibuta - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.80
群馬県食肉卸売市場
豚肉王国！ぐんまポーク｜多彩な銘柄を誇る群馬の豚肉
Last updated
6/21/2026