Raised on whole-kernel corn and wheat — a brand pork from Hanyu, Saitama, with a sweetness and umami that are wonderfully concentrated.
Saiou-ton (Saitama Cherry Blossom Pork), born in Hanyu City, Saitama Prefecture, is a brand pork raised by Pork Co., Ltd. through the accumulation of many years of pig farming technique. The name carries both affection for the rich land colored by cherry blossoms and a commitment to premium pork. The whole-kernel corn used in the Saiou-ton feed is given after full-grain milling at harvest. Coarsely ground grain passes slowly through the pig’s digestive tract — nutrients are slowly absorbed, elevating the quality of the fat. The result is a fat with a melt-in-the-mouth sweetness and a clean, refreshing finish — a defining characteristic. By combining barley and wheat, the amino acid balance is further refined, also contributing to the fineness and softness of the meat. The breed is a three-breed cross — Large Yorkshire female × Landrace male, then Duroc male crossed with those female pigs. The advantages of all three breeds — the elegant fat quality of Large Yorkshire, the moist meat quality of Landrace, and the rich depth and easy marbling of Duroc — unite to realize a well-balanced, flavor-rich lean and appropriate fat. Shipping is targeted at 170 days of age and 117 kg — fattened over a slightly longer period than standard pigs, with umami components accumulating firmly in the interim. Even after heating, not dry — a sweet meat juice spreading with every chew. Saiou-ton, whose authentic pork flavor can be enjoyed to the fullest, stands out in a wide range of preparations from daily tables to slightly luxurious dishes — from tonkatsu and shabu-shabu to ginger pork stir-fry. Approximately 20,000 head are shipped annually, with wholesaling handled by Kobayashi Livestock.
Basic Information
- Name
Saiou-ton - Production Area
Pork Co., Ltd. (Hanyu City, Saitama) - Management Body
N/A - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross: Female (Large White x Landrace) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Fine-grained, tender texture with sweet, melting fat and rich umami from the extended rearing period - Feed Characteristics
Whole-grain corn crushed before feeding, combined with wheat grains; slow digestion improves fat quality and balances amino acids for fine texture - Shipping Age
170 days / 117 kg - Annual Production
Approx. 20,000 head annually (wholesaler: Kobayashi Livestock) - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registration: July 1, 2011. Slaughtered and processed at Honjo Meat Center. - Related URLs
Pork Co., Ltd. (Official Site) - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.90
Pork Co., Ltd. Official Site
Last updated
6/21/2026