Raised in the pure, pristine land of Echigo Tsumari — a Niigata brand pork that melts on the tongue with irresistible gentleness.
Tsumari Pork, nurtured in the Tokamachi area of southern Niigata Prefecture — called Echigo Tsumari — is a brand pork representing Niigata, with outstanding softness of meat quality and sweetness of fat. With Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. at the center, a production system in which regional farmers work as one has been maintained for many years. The greatest appeal of Tsumari Pork is the quality of its fat. While the fat of standard pork melts at around 38°C, Tsumari Pork melts at 32°C — below body temperature. From the moment it enters the mouth, the fat melts — a gentle sweetness and rich umami spreads. The lean is also finely-grained and soft — the authentic umami of pork can be firmly felt. In rearing, antibiotic-free feed is consistently used from the piglet stage through to shipment. As the Tsumari area is a clean area where specified pig diseases do not exist, such efforts are possible. Rearing thoroughly focused on meat quality with a wheat-blended dedicated feed — safety is secured by HACCP-based hygiene management and a traceability system. These efforts have been recognized, winning the 36th Japan Agriculture Grand Prize. Certified as a Clean Farm, adopted in school lunches as well — a brand deeply rooted in the region. The representative eating method is shabu-shabu that makes the most of the fat’s melt-in-the-mouth feel. The authentic umami of the ingredient can also be fully enjoyed in simple preparations such as tonkatsu and ginger pork stir-fry. Approximately 25,000 head are shipped annually — handled at major supermarkets within Niigata Prefecture and restaurants in the Tokyo metropolitan area as well.
Basic Information
- Name
Tsumari Pork - Production Area
Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. (Tokamachi City, Niigata — Echigo-Tsumari region) - Management Body
Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross (LWD): Female (Landrace x Large White) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Meltingly tender texture with naturally mellow, sweet fat from wheat-rich feed; fully antibiotic-free from piglet stage through shipping - Feed Characteristics
Wheat-rich dedicated compound feed; antibiotic-free from piglet to shipping - Shipping Age
Not specified - Annual Production
Approx. 25,000 head annually. Primary wholesalers: JA Tokamachi and JA Tsunan. Primary slaughterhouse: Nagaoka City Meat Center. - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registered
Brand regulations established: December 2002 - Related URLs
Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. (Official Site) - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.126
Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. (Official Site)
Tsumari Pork Online Shop “Kiotoshi”
Niigata Prefecture Official – Agriculture Navigation
Last updated
6/21/2026