The pride of Yamagata — a brand pork nurtured by local rice and circular farming.
Maimai Ton is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Yamanobe Town, Higashi-Murayama District, Yamagata Prefecture, managed by Yamagata Pig Farm Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male Duroc.
Maimai Ton (Dancing Rice Pig), born in Yamanobe Town, Higashi-Murayama District, Yamagata Prefecture, is a brand pork raised slowly on a special feed incorporating 12% locally grown feed rice ‘Fukuhibiki.’ The name was chosen by public contest in 2008 — inspired by the concept of pigs so happy eating rice they dance, and expressing respect for the traditional dance ‘Agasuke’ passed down in Yamanobe Town. The first shipment followed in 2009, and the brand has continued as a community-rooted brand created through the unity of Yamanobe Town’s rice farmers, the agricultural cooperative, and producers.
Yamagata Pig Farm Co., Ltd. manages production using a three-breed cross of Landrace × Large White female with Duroc male — handling everything from breeding pig selection through rearing independently. The pigs are given ample pure subterranean water from the Gassan mountain system and raised slowly to approximately 200 days, and a finely grained meat quality and gentle, natural marbling develop naturally. Private analytical research has scientifically proven that the meat contains more oleic acid than standard domestic pork — producing an elegant, easy-to-enjoy pork with a sweet, mellow richness in the fat and a refreshingly clean aftertaste.
Furthermore, a circular agriculture model is practiced across the entire community — locally grown brown rice becomes the pig’s feed, the pig’s manure becomes compost that returns to the rice paddies — achieving both deliciousness and environmental consideration at a high level. Please do try Maimai Ton at least once — the rich nature of Yamagata and the passion of its farmers, concentrated.
Basic Information
- Name
Maimai Ton - Production Area
Yamanobe Town, Higashi-Murayama District, Yamagata - Management Body
Yamagata Pig Farm Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Fine-grained meat with moderate marbling. Higher oleic acid content than ordinary domestic pork; sweet, rich fat yet a clean aftertaste — an elegant flavor - Feed Characteristics
Raised on a special feed blended with 12% ‘Fukuhibiki’ feed rice grown locally in Yamanobe Town. Local-production-for-local-consumption rearing in which the sweetness of rice leads to the umami of the pork - Shipping Age
200 days - Annual Production
Approx. 6,000 head/year - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registered: 2010 / Brand regulations established: 2010 - Related URLs
Maimai Ton | Yamagata Pig Farm
‘Maimai Ton’, Pigs Raised on Feed Rice in Yamanobe Town | Yamakichi Miso - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.52
Maimai Ton | Yamagata Pig Farm
‘Maimai Ton’, Pigs Raised on Feed Rice in Yamanobe Town | Yamakichi Miso
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Last updated
6/21/2026
