Features and long-form series that take one question and follow it all the way through — reported from Japanese government databases and primary sources, and written for readers outside Japan.
The Kurobuta Files
In Japan only purebred Berkshire pork may be labeled “Kurobuta.” From the breeding data of all 419 brands in our database, we list the 18 that qualify, the 30 that carry Berkshire blood — and where to eat them, from Tokyo to Kagoshima.
Journey Through Japan’s Regional Pork Dishes
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture keeps a database of 1,363 traditional local dishes. We read all of it and found that pork stars in only a fraction, spread unevenly across the country — some regions list none at all. This series travels all ten regions, including the blank ones.
Meet the pork behind the dishes
Every brand mentioned in this series has its own profile in the Japan Brand Pork Encyclopedia, which covers 419 brands.