Kazuno Beef (Akita): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

As a meat product, it is available year-round.

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Rare Japanese Shorthorn breed. It is characterized by its low fat content and high levels of free amino acids, which are the source of its delicious flavor. Its moderate texture and flavor that intensifies with each bite are highly regarded by consumers and those who purchase it for their own consumption. While the production of Shorthorn breeds is declining nationwide, the number of animals shipped is on the rise.

Link with the production area

In the Kazuno area, which was a mining area, Nanbu breed, the origin of the Japanese Shorthorn breed, has been used since the Edo period. This area is still a major production area for Japanese Shorthorn breeds. The community works together to maintain public pastures and barns, provide guidance on fattening techniques, and raise cattle using the "summer mountain, winter barn" method, where cattle are grazed in pastures during the summer and kept in barns during the winter. Additionally, locally sourced feed such as soy sauce lees, rice fermentation roughage, and apple pomace are also provided, establishing a vertically integrated production system within the area.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/250715_1.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

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These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

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FAQ

Beef from the rare Japanese Shorthorn breed, raised in Kazuno and Kosaka, Akita. Low in fat and rich in free amino acids that contribute to flavor, it has a moderate chew and a taste that deepens with each bite. The cattle graze on mountain pastures in summer and are kept in barns in winter.

Kazuno Beef is produced in Kazuno City and Kosaka Town, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture.

Kazuno Beef is shipped all year round. As a meat product, it is available year-round.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) and online shops. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Kazuno Beef was registered as a Geographical Indication on January 30, 2025 (Registration No. 157). The registered producer group is Kazuno Gyu Shinko Kyogikai (Kazuno Beef Promotion Association).