A pure Berkshire black pork passed down through 100 years in the land of Saitama — a rich, full-bodied flavor that only this lineage can produce.
Sainokuni Kurobuta is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, managed by JA ZEN-NOH Saitama Prefectural Headquarters. Breed / crossbreeding: Pure Berkshire.
Sainokuni Kurobuta (Saitama Black Pork) is a brand black pork with its primary production area in Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture. Its history goes back more than 100 years — the tradition of black pig rearing originating in the Kuroda district of Fukaya City is still vigorously inherited today. In 1998, local producers formed the ‘Sainokuni Kurobuta Club.’ Under the Saitama Prefecture-recommended excellent production management farm system, each animal is raised carefully with unified quality standards.
The breeding pig used is the pure Berkshire breed, originating in Berkshire, England. The entire body is black, with only the tips of the 4 feet, nose, and tail white — the ‘Six-White’ appearance is a defining feature. This breed is globally known for its inherently superior meat quality — finely grained muscle fibers produce a soft texture.
In rearing, while standard pigs are shipped at approximately 6 months, Sainokuni Kurobuta is fattened slowly over approximately 8 months. At Fukaya Kurobuta Farm, a feed combining barley and wheat with the compound feed base is given, shifting to a dedicated finishing feed designed to draw out umami in the finishing stage. The abundant dietary fiber of the barley promotes slow metabolism, enhancing the fineness and sweetness of the fat.
The meat of Sainokuni Kurobuta raised in this way combines crisp chewing with elegant softness, and the fat — brilliant white with a clean sweetness — spreads through the entire mouth. The minimal off-odor and non-gamey flavor demonstrate its true value in shabu-shabu and tonkatsu that let the ingredient shine. The umami only increases in preparations with extended heat such as braised belly and ginger pork stir-fry. Thorough hygiene management, long-standing trademark registration (January 2000), and compliance with Saitama Prefecture’s certified farm management program demonstrate a complete commitment to safety and reliability. As an authentic black pork representing Saitama, it brings deep satisfaction to the table.
Basic Information
- Name
Sainokuni Kurobuta - Production Area
Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture - Management Body
JA ZEN-NOH Saitama Prefectural Headquarters (unified management by the Sainokuni Kurobuta Club) - Breed / Crossbreeding
Pure Berkshire - Meat Characteristics
Fine-grained pure Berkshire muscle fibers with tender texture; snow-white fat with a clean, subtly sweet flavor and almost no gaminess - Feed Characteristics
Compound feed base combined with wheat and barley; finishing period uses a dedicated Sainokuni Kurobuta fattening feed including barley and sweet potato - Shipping Age
240 days - Annual Production
Approx. 4,000 head/year (wholesaler: Kobayashi Chikusan) - Signature Dish
Tonkatsu, shabu-shabu, kakuni (braised pork belly), shogayaki (ginger pork) - Certifications
Trademark registered: January 28, 2000 / Unified management by the Sainokuni Kurobuta Club; compliant with Saitama Prefecture’s Excellent Production Management Farm system / Brand regulations established: April 1, 1998 (revised April 1, 2021) - Related URLs
Sainokuni Kurobuta | JA ZEN-NOH Saitama
Pork (Sainokuni Kurobuta) | Saitama Prefecture - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.89
Sainokuni Kurobuta Official Site (JA ZEN-NOH Saitama)
Saitama Prefecture Agricultural Products Portal SAITAMA Wassho!
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Last updated
6/21/2026
