Shiho Mochibuta

An exquisite balance of lean and fat — a brand pork with a delicate flavor that is the pride of Ishioka.

Shiho Mochibuta is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Hosoya, Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, managed by Hosoya Farmers Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male: Duroc.

Shiho Mochibuta, born in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a brand pork raised with devoted care in the rich natural environment of northern Kanto overlooking Mount Tsukuba. The name carries the alternative name of Mount Tsukuba — ‘Shiho’ (Purple Peak) — the symbol of Ibaraki Prefecture, expressing both local pride and strong confidence in the quality of the pork.

The greatest appeal is the exquisitely balanced harmony of lean and fat. Fine marbling (sashi) penetrates the muscle, and when eaten, a gentle sweetness and slowly spreading umami fill the mouth.

The key to creating this distinctive meat quality lies in the committed feed design. The incorporation of breadcrumbs and sweet bread powder with suppressed protein content creates an environment in which moderate intramuscular fat tends to accumulate easily, promoting the formation of moist marbling. Furthermore, by reducing corn and incorporating starch-rich ingredients like sweet potato and cereal grains such as barley and wheat — using only plant-based feed with absolutely no animal fats — oleic acid accumulates abundantly in the fat, producing a clean, refreshing sweetness with no gaminess. Inosinic acid, the umami component, is also abundantly present — and when heated, this rich umami becomes even more pronounced.

Raised slowly over 170–185 days to shipping, the firmness and flavor of the meat are further refined. Its delicate flavor can be enjoyed in tonkatsu, yakiniku, and a wide range of preparations from shabu-shabu to stir-fry. It is also shipped to the Tokyo Metropolitan Meat Market, earning high praise at restaurants throughout the capital. Please do savor this fine-quality Ibaraki-born pork at least once.

Basic Information

• Name
  Shiho Mochibuta
• Production Area
  Hosoya, Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture
• Management Body
  Hosoya Farmers Co., Ltd. (formerly Koda Yoton Farm)
• Breed / Crossbreeding
  Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male: Duroc
• Meat Characteristics
  Meat rich in inosinic acid and oleic acid. Well-balanced lean and fat, fine marbling, and a juiciness that melts in the mouth
• Feed Characteristics
  Feed of plant-based ingredients only, centered on breadcrumbs and sweet-bread crumbs (low-lysine feed), sweet potato, and cereal grains such as barley and wheat. Corn reduced; no animal fats used at all
• Shipping Age
  170–185 days
• Annual Production
  Approx. 4,600 head/year
• Signature Dish
  Tonkatsu
• Certifications
  None
• Related URLs
  Farm Search | Buta Trace – National Pig Farm Traceability System (JPPA)
• Source
  Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.58
  Tonkatsu Shiho
  Buta Trace (JPPA)

Last updated
6/21/2026