Hokkaido’s pride — a brand pork born of ice-temperature aging technology and a low-stress rearing environment that lets the animal’s natural quality shine.
Tobetsu Asano Farm (Smile Pork) is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Tobetsu Town, Ishikari District, Hokkaido, managed by Asano Farm Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: Female (Large White × Landrace) × Male (Duroc × Berkshire).
Smile Pork, produced by Asano Farm Co., Ltd. based in Tobetsu Town, Ishikari District, Hokkaido, is a Hokkaido brand pork that has earned high praise from culinary researchers and professional chefs alike for its minimal pork off-odor and the exceptional quality of its fat.
There is much to note about this farm’s commitment to the rearing environment: bio-beds filled with rice husks to a depth of 90 cm are carefully maintained, giving the pigs ample room to move freely in a low-stress setting. Alkaline ionized water is used throughout all barns, and the feed incorporates a unique blend containing 30% locally grown Tobetsu wheat — supporting pig health from both inside and out. It is this daily accumulation of care and meticulous management that produces the finely grained, tender meat quality and a beautifully clear, almost scum-free cooking broth.
Furthermore, Asano Farm was the first in Hokkaido to introduce ice-temperature aging equipment for pork, and delivers Smile Pork as hyouon jukusei (ice-temperature aged pork) — maximizing the concentration of umami compounds — to customers across Japan. Holding both Farm HACCP (certified December 2017) and JGAP (certified September 2019), the safe and reliable production system provides a strong foundation of consumer trust.
The farm’s direct shop carries a wide range of products including fresh sausage and pork belly, and the signature preparation — pork belly shabu-shabu where even the fat is delicious — is beloved by many regular visitors. A richly nourishing bite, born from Tobetsu’s land and a producer’s passion — please do experience it for yourself.
Basic Information
- Name
Tobetsu Asano Farm (Smile Pork) - Production Area
Tobetsu Town, Ishikari District, Hokkaido - Management Body
Asano Farm Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Large White × Landrace) × Male (Duroc × Berkshire) - Meat Characteristics
Fine-grained, tender meat with remarkably clear broth when cooked — almost no scum. Ice-temperature aging draws out maximum umami concentration. - Feed Characteristics
Proprietary blend with 30% Tobetsu-grown wheat; alkaline ionized water provided throughout all pig houses. - Shipping Age
Approx. 160 days - Annual Production
3,800 head/year - Signature Dish
Pork belly shabu-shabu / Fresh sausage - Certifications
Farm HACCP Certification (December 22, 2017)
JGAP Certification (September 24, 2019) - Related URLs
Tobetsu Asano Farm
Asano Farm | HPA Hokkaido Pig Farmers Association
Asano Farm | Kurashigoto - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.19
Tobetsu Asano Farm
HPA Hokkaido Pig Farmers Association
Related brand pork
Last updated
6/20/2026
