Tsumari Pork

Nurtured by the pure land of Echigo Tsumari — a Niigata brand pork that melts in the mouth.

Tsumari Pork is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, managed by Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Duroc.

Tsumari Pork, nurtured in the Tokamachi area of southern Niigata Prefecture — called Echigo Tsumari — is a brand pork representing Niigata, with outstanding softness of meat quality and sweetness of fat. With Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. at the center, a production system in which regional farmers work as one has been maintained for many years.

The greatest appeal of Tsumari Pork is the quality of its fat. While the fat of standard pork melts at around 38°C, Tsumari Pork melts at 32°C — below body temperature. From the moment it enters the mouth, the fat melts — a gentle sweetness and rich umami spread. The lean is also finely grained and soft — the inherent umami of pork can be firmly felt.

In rearing, antibiotic-free feed is consistently used from the piglet stage through to shipment. As the Tsumari area is a clean area where specified pig diseases do not exist, such efforts are possible. Rearing thoroughly focused on meat quality with a dedicated feed blended with cereal grains — safety is secured by HACCP-based hygiene management and a traceability system. These efforts have been recognized, winning the 36th Japan Agriculture Grand Prize. Certified as a Clean Farm, adopted in school lunches as well — a brand deeply rooted in the region.

The representative eating method is shabu-shabu that makes the most of the fat’s melt-in-the-mouth feel. The umami of the ingredient can also be fully enjoyed in simple preparations such as tonkatsu and ginger pork stir-fry. Approximately 25,000 head are shipped annually — handled at major supermarkets within Niigata Prefecture and restaurants in the Tokyo metropolitan area as well.

Basic Information

• Name
  Tsumari Pork
• Production Area
  Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
• Management Body
  Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd.
• Breed / Crossbreeding
  Female (Landrace × Large White) × Duroc
• Meat Characteristics
  Fat with a melting point of 32°C — below body temperature — melts in the mouth. Fine-grained, tender lean rich in sweetness and umami
• Feed Characteristics
  Dedicated feed blended with cereal grains, emphasizing meat quality. No antibiotics from the piglet stage through shipment
• Shipping Age
  180 days
• Annual Production
  Approx. 25,000 head annually. Primary wholesalers: JA Tokamachi and JA Tsunan. Primary slaughterhouse: Nagaoka City Meat Center.
• Signature Dish
  Shabu-shabu, tonkatsu, ginger pork
• Certifications
  Trademark registered
  Brand regulations established: December 2002
• Related URLs
  Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. (Official Site)
• Source
  Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.126
  Tsumari Chikusan Co., Ltd. (Official Site)
  Tsumari Pork Online Shop “Kiotoshi”
  Niigata Prefecture Official – Agriculture Navigation

Last updated
6/21/2026