Born of the history of Yokohama Port’s opening — a celebrated Kanagawa pork of premium fat and a deep, resounding umami.
Koza Buta (Koza Pork) is a brand pork representing Kanagawa Prefecture — born simultaneously with the opening of Yokohama Port in the Meiji era. The origin is said to be farmers in the former Koza District (now around Ayase City, Fujisawa City, and Chigasaki City) who began raising pigs to meet the pork demand of foreign residents. Subsequently, unable to keep up with mass production during the high economic growth era, it was driven almost to extinction in the 1970s — but through the passion of local producers and painstaking breed improvement, it made a magnificent comeback. Brand standards were established in 1983, with trademark registration obtained in 1984 — a brand pork with history. The greatest appeal of Koza Buta is the richness of fat finely contained within the lean. The balance of lean and fat is exquisite — entering the mouth, a sweet fragrance of premium fat that seems to melt instantly, and a juicy texture that spreads. Rich in free amino acids and strong in umami — the soft meat quality does not easily harden even with heat. The breed is a three-breed cross — Landrace female × Large Yorkshire male F1 crossed with Duroc male — raised over 180 days with a dedicated compound feed tailored to 4 stages of growth. Currently produced not only in the former Koza District but also in Hadano City, Yokohama City, and Hiratsuka City. Enjoyed in diverse eating forms — tonkatsu, shabu-shabu, roast pork, and processed products including ham and sausage. Certified in the ‘Kanagawa Famous Products 100 Selection,’ also handled at department stores and specialty shops — enduringly popular as a proud Kanagawa Prefecture pork.
Basic Information
- Name
Koza Buta - Production Area
Certified farms in former Koza District (Ayase / Fujisawa / Chigasaki area, Kanagawa) - Management Body
Kanagawa Prefecture Pig Farmers Association - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross: Female (Landrace x Large White) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
White, well-formed fat with mellow, lingering umami; fine-grained lean from a four-stage optimized feeding program - Feed Characteristics
Four-stage compound feed system (weaning, development, early fattening, late fattening) with nutrition calibrated at each growth phase to build fat quality and meat texture - Shipping Age
Not specified - Annual Production
27,700 head annually - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registration: December 1984
Brand regulations established: July 15, 1983; revised February 26, 2011
Designated retailer program in place - Related URLs
Kanagawa Pig Farmers Assoc. – Koza Buta
Central Foods Co., Ltd. – Koza Buta
Koza Buta Handmade Ham (Official Site) - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.108
Kanagawa Prefecture Pig Farmers Association (Official Site)
Central Foods Co., Ltd. (Official Site)
Koza Buta Handmade Ham (Official Site)
Last updated
6/21/2026