Shimofuri Red

The pride of Miyagi Prefecture — a phantom marbled brand pork born of seven generations of careful refinement.

Shimofuri Red is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Miyagi Prefecture, managed by Shimofuri Red and Other Brands Promotion Liaison Council. Breed / crossbreeding: Duroc (purebred lineage pig).

Shimofuri Red is a Duroc breed line pig developed over 8 years by Miyagi Prefecture’s Livestock Experiment Station. Honed through 7 generations of selective breeding in pursuit of peak marbling and umami, it has a loin fat content approximately 1% higher than that of standard Duroc — with a characteristic fine marbling of sashi spread throughout. The meat quality, combining both tenderness and elasticity, delivers a deepening, spreading umami with every chew. Rich in oleic acid — the unsaturated fatty acid also found abundantly in olive oil — the fat dissolves smoothly in the mouth, with richness yet a light, elegant aftertaste.

The pigs are raised only at designated farms within Miyagi Prefecture, and the difficulty of production means the output is less than 1% of the prefecture’s total commercial pigs — an exceptionally rare existence. Its delicate characteristics make large-scale production difficult, and even today, a small number of designated farms continue to raise this pig with devoted care.

The pigs are raised patiently for approximately 180 days before shipping, and the pork is then distributed to a limited number of retailers via Miyagi Prefecture Meat Distribution Corporation and Sendai Meat Market. Annual shipments number only around 1,100 head — a brand so difficult to obtain it is called a phantom pork. Its rarity means even restaurants and specialty meat retailers within Miyagi Prefecture carry it only in limited quantities — when the chance encounter comes, do not miss it.

Please do savor at least once this proud Miyagi product, honed through years of breed improvement with an uncompromising commitment to marbling. We deliver a luxurious eating experience in which the deep umami brought out by the fine marbling and the sweetness of the fat spread richly with every bite.

Basic Information

• Name
  Shimofuri Red
• Production Area
  Miyagi Prefecture (farms within the prefecture)
• Management Body
  Shimofuri Red and Other Brands Promotion Liaison Council
• Breed / Crossbreeding
  Duroc (purebred lineage pig)
• Meat Characteristics
  Fine marbling; meat quality combining tenderness and elasticity. Rich in oleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, with fat that melts well in the mouth and an elegant flavor
• Feed Characteristics
  N/A
• Shipping Age
  Approx. 180 days
• Annual Production
  Approx. 1,100 head/year
• Signature Dish
  Kushiyaki (skewered grilled pork) / Gyoza
• Certifications
  Trademark registered: June 20, 2003
• Related URLs
  Shimofuri Red Lineage Pig | Miyagi Prefecture Official
• Source
  Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.39
  Miyagi Prefecture Official Site

Last updated
6/21/2026