The pride of Nara Prefecture — a brand pork with fine-quality fat and rich flavor.
Yamato Pork is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Nara Prefecture, managed by Nara Prefecture Yamato Pork Distribution Promotion Council. Breed / crossbreeding: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Duroc.
Yamato Pork, nurtured on the Nara earth, is a Nara Prefecture-produced brand pork developed by the Nara Prefecture Livestock Technology Center over 5 years. Formally approved as a Nara Prefecture-produced brand pork in 2008 — distribution to markets within and outside Nara Prefecture began in March of the same year. With the Nara Prefecture Yamato Pork Distribution Promotion Council as the managing body — produced at designated production farms under unified quality management.
The defining feature is appropriate high-quality fat distributed through the meat — a juicy flavor and rich taste can be enjoyed. Raised on a unified compound feed without using animal-based ingredients — the characteristic pork off-odor is minimal, and the inherent sweetness and umami of the ingredient can be firmly felt. A high-calorie dedicated fattening feed blending confectionery flour and bread crumbs is used for the feed — realizing a richly flavored finish.
For breeding pigs, a three-breed cross combining Duroc male with excellent meat productivity, and Landrace and Large White female with excellent reproductive capacity, is adopted. Pigs raised at ease in open barns — shipped at approximately 180 days of age.
The quality of the ingredient stands out in any preparation including shabu-shabu, tonkatsu, steak, and ginger pork stir-fry. Handled at specialty meat shops, department stores, and restaurants within Nara Prefecture — also developed as unique processed products fused with regional food culture such as ham using cherry wood chips from Yoshino Mountain. Please do taste at least once this brand pork unique to Nara — nurtured by the landscape of the Yamato road.
Basic Information
- Name
Yamato Pork - Production Area
Nara Prefecture (designated farms within the prefecture) - Management Body
Nara Prefecture Yamato Pork Distribution Promotion Council - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Landrace × Large White) × Duroc / Female (Large White × Landrace) × Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Moderate fine-quality fat spread through the meat, giving a juicy taste and rich flavor. Little off-odor; the inherent sweetness and umami of pork stand out - Feed Characteristics
High-calorie dedicated fattening feed blended with confectionery flour and bread crumbs. No animal-derived ingredients; grain-based for a richly flavored finish - Shipping Age
180 days - Annual Production
Approx. 2,000 head annually - Signature Dish
Shabu-shabu, tonkatsu, steak, ginger pork, ham smoked with Yoshino cherry wood chips - Certifications
Brand regulations established: February 8, 2008
Designated retailer program in place (10 designated retailers, and 17 designated restaurants and processors) - Related URLs
Nara Yamato Pork Distribution Promotion Council (Official Site)
Yamato Pork / Nara Prefecture (Official)
Yamato Pork — Nara Special Products Promotion Association - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.156
Nara Yamato Pork Distribution Promotion Council (Official Site)
Yamato Pork / Nara Prefecture (Official)
Yamato Pork — Nara Special Products Promotion Association
Yamato Pork — Wikipedia
Related brand pork
Last updated
6/21/2026
