Born of the history of Yokohama Port’s opening — a famed Kanagawa pork of premium fat and deep umami.
Koza Buta is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Kanagawa Prefecture, managed by Koza Buta Research Society. Breed / crossbreeding: Three-breed cross: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male Duroc.
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 late 1950s — but through the passion of local producers and painstaking breed improvement, it made a magnificent comeback. Brand regulations 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, it delivers 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 White 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
Kanagawa Prefecture (former Koza District area, Hadano City, Yokohama City, and Hiratsuka City) - Management Body
Koza Buta Research Society - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross: Female (Landrace x Large White) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Rich in fat within the lean; finely grained, soft meat. A sweet aroma of premium fat that melts instantly and a juicy texture. Rich in free amino acids with strong umami; a brand certified among the ‘Kanagawa Famous Products 100 Selection’. - Feed Characteristics
Compound feed matched to four growth stages (weaning, growing, early fattening, late fattening). Nutritional balance optimized at each stage to bring out good-quality fat and umami. - Shipping Age
180 days - Annual Production
27,700 head annually - Signature Dish
Tonkatsu / Shabu-shabu / Roast pork / Ham / Sausage / Miso-marinated grilled pork - Certifications
Trademark registered: 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)
Wikipedia ‘Koza Buta’
Kanagawa Pig Farmers Association — Koza Buta page
Central Foods — Koza Buta page
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Last updated
6/21/2026
