Raised on six grains — a domestic pork overflowing with richness and umami.
Koku Uma is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Hokkaido, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, Shizuoka, Hiroshima, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima Prefectures, managed by Ito Ham Yonekyu Holdings Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: Three-way cross.
Koku Uma (Rich Deliciousness) is a domestic brand pork managed by Ito Ham Yonekyu Holdings Co., Ltd. The pigs are raised at designated farms in 11 prefectures nationwide including Hokkaido, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, Shizuoka, Hiroshima, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima — a thorough management system is in place ensuring a certain quality is maintained wherever raised.
What becomes the origin of the name is the unique committed feed. An original well-balanced feed blending 6 types of grain — combining starch-rich wheat, barley, and rice with nutritionally excellent corn, milo, and soybeans — is given for rearing. What is drawn out by this grain-centered feed design is the ‘richness (koku)’ and ‘umami’ true to the name. In taste testing by an external testing organization — compared to standard pork, umami components (glutamic acid + aspartic acid) approximately 2.7 times more, richness/mellow components approximately 1.6 times more were reported — the rich flavor is firmly backed up numerically as well.
Also, high standards are maintained in quality management — processed at external certification-acquired facilities at 11 locations — traceability from production farm through sales is secured. The quality is also internationally recognized — in the 2025 ITI (International Taste Institute) evaluation, Koku Uma loin received the highest evaluation of 3 stars, belly, shoulder loin, and fillet also acquiring 2 stars. Easy to use in a wide range of preparations from grilling to stir-fry — a specialty where the rich flavor can be enjoyed at the daily table.
Basic Information
- Name
Koku Uma - Production Area
Hokkaido, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, Shizuoka, Hiroshima, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima Prefectures (designated farms) - Management Body
Ito Ham Yonekyu Holdings Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-way cross - Meat Characteristics
Umami components (glutamic acid + aspartic acid) approx. 2.7 times those of ordinary pork; richness and mellowness components approx. 1.6 times. - Feed Characteristics
Designated compound feed blending six grains in good balance: wheat, barley, rice, corn, milo, and soybeans. - Shipping Age
approx. 155–190 days - Annual Production
Approx. 480,000 head annually - Signature Dish
Tonteki (pork steak) / Meat rolls / Stir-fry / Karaage (fried pork) - Certifications
Trademark registered: March 11, 2024 / ITI (International Taste Institute) 2025: 3 stars for loin, 2 stars for belly, shoulder loin, and fillet / Processing at 11 externally certified facilities; traceability from production farm to sales - Related URLs
Domestic Pork Koku Uma Special Site — Ito Ham Yonekyu Holdings - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.215
Domestic Pork Koku Uma Special Site — Ito Ham Yonekyu Holdings
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Last updated
6/21/2026
