Nurtured by barley and Vitamin E — gleaming white fat and tender lean — the brand pork that represents Kanagawa.
Yamayuri Pork is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Yokohama City, Fujisawa City and others, Kanagawa Prefecture, managed by ZEN-NOH Kanagawa Prefectural Headquarters. Breed / crossbreeding: Three-breed cross: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male Duroc.
Kanagawa Prefecture has long been an area with thriving agriculture and livestock. Among these, ‘Yamayuri Pork’ has been long loved as a brand pork representing the prefecture. The name derives from the beautifully gleaming white fat — like the yamayuri (golden-banded lily), Kanagawa’s prefectural flower — certified as a ‘Kanagawa Brand’ in 1993 and further selected for the ‘Kanagawa Famous Products 100 Selection’ in FY2019 — a brand pork representing Kanagawa Prefecture.
The defining feature of Yamayuri Pork is the balance between pure white fat with no extraneous flavors, and the soft, juicy lean. By giving dedicated feeds — ‘Yamayuri B’ for piglets and ‘Yamayuri C’ for fattening pigs — with a generous barley blend, the fat is finished clean and white. Furthermore, by adding abundant Vitamin E, fat oxidation is suppressed — realizing a rich, long-lasting, high-quality meat quality.
Rearing is conducted only at designated farms managed by ZEN-NOH Kanagawa Prefectural Headquarters, with strict standards in hygiene and rearing management. Shipping is at 180–190 days of age and 115 kg body weight as the standard — raising slowly over time concentrates the sweetness and umami of the fat. The outstanding track record of 11 Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award wins speaks to the high quality.
The simpler the preparation, the more the quality of the ingredient stands out. In tonkatsu, the juicy umami overflowing from within the coating is outstanding. In shabu-shabu and ginger pork stir-fry, the exquisite combination of white, clean fat and soft lean can be enjoyed. Please do taste Yamayuri Pork at a local shop on your next visit to Kanagawa.
Basic Information
- Name
Yamayuri Pork - Production Area
Yokohama City, Fujisawa City and others, Kanagawa Prefecture - Management Body
ZEN-NOH Kanagawa Prefectural Headquarters (JA ZEN-NOH Kanagawa) / Yamayuri Pork designated production farms - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross: Female (Landrace x Large White) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Dedicated feed with barley combined with vitamin E gives clean, white fat. Tender lean with rich flavor and juicy meat. Winner of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award 11 times - Feed Characteristics
Designated compound feeds ‘Yamayuri B’ for piglets and ‘Yamayuri C’ for meat pigs. High barley content and added vitamin E give white, clean, fine-quality fat - Shipping Age
180–190 days - Annual Production
Approx. 11,000 head annually - Signature Dish
Tonkatsu, shabu-shabu, ginger pork, sauté - Certifications
Kanagawa Brand certified: 1993 / Selected for ‘Kanagawa’s Top 100 Local Products’: fiscal 2019 / Trademark registered: January 17, 1992 / Brand regulations established: April 1, 1990 (revised April 22, 2022) - Related URLs
JA ZEN-NOH Kanagawa – Yamayuri Pork
Kanagawa Prefecture Pig Farmers Association – Yamayuri Pork
Kanagawa Tourism NOW – Yamayuri Pork Feature - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.111
JA ZEN-NOH Kanagawa (Official Site)
Kanagawa Prefecture Pig Farmers Association (Official Site)
Kanagawa Tourism NOW
JA ZEN-NOH Kanagawa – Yamayuri Pork
Kanagawa Prefecture Pig Farmers Association – Yamayuri Pork
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Last updated
6/21/2026
