The Pride of Kobe Beef

The Kobe Beef title is awarded only to the beef that satisfies the strictest qualification standards.


What is Kobe Beef?

Kobe Beef has captivated the palates of luminaries worldwide, with various anecdotes to exemplify its distinguished taste.
For instance, former American President Barack Obama famously wished to taste Kobe Beef when he visited Japan in 2009.
Also, legendary professional basketball player, the late Kobe Bryant, was named after the delicacy when his father was amazed by its deliciousness.


Where is Kobe?

Kobe is a major city located in the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture in the Kansai area of Japan.
After the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868, the city became a cosmopolitan leader in introducing aspects of Western culture from sports to art, fashion and foods, and developed into an international harbor city where people, goods and information intermingle.
The city of Kobe is an intriguing mélange of Japanese traditions and culture, with a variety of historic architecture, and is rich in sightseeing spots, making it a popular tourist destination.

Tokyo Osaka Kyoto Kobe Osaka Hyogo Nara


History of Kobe Beef

The history of Kobe Beef is quite extensive, dating back to the late 19th century.
When the Port of Yokohama, located more than 400 kilometers east of Kobe, opened at that time, Western persons sought to purchase beef, and so Tajima cattle was shipped from Kobe.
Amazed by its delicious taste, rumors about this wonderful beef quickly spread.
Because the beef came from Kobe, it was called Kobe Beef and became the origin of the famous brand name.

Why has Kobe Beef been capturing the palates of people?

Flavor

The secret to the delicious taste of Kobe Beef is in the perfect balance of fat marbling and lean meat, and the richness of umami components.

Marbling
The fatty content intricately marbles itself into the muscle and melts on your tongue instantly as you take a bite.
Marbling
The fatty content intricately marbles itself into the muscle and melts on your tongue instantly as you take a bite.
Lean meat
The lean meat has tender fibers and refined sweetness.
Lean meat
The lean meat has tender fibers and refined sweetness.
Umami components
Compared to other beef, Kobe Beef is richer in the umami components inosinic acid and oleic acid, which determines the taste of fat.
Umami components
Compared to other beef, Kobe Beef is richer in the umami components inosinic acid and oleic acid, which determines the taste of fat.


What sets Kobe Beef vastly apart from numerous other kinds of beef, is the tender and rich flavor and the way in which the delicate fat pleasantly melts in your mouth.

Protecting the tradition and lineage of Kobe Beef

The top determinant of a beef’s meat texture is its lineage.
The flawless flavor of Kobe Beef can only be achieved by purebred Tajima cattle. Inheriting its superior genes since 1,200 years ago,
Tajima cattle does not interbreed with any other cattle in the world,
and its pedigree has been protected to this day, refined only through quality bloodlines.

Strict qualification standards

Out of all Tajima Beef, the title of Kobe Beef is attained only by those which rank at or above A or B; achieve level 4 or higher; and fulfill all of the following five criteria:

  1. Tajima cattle raised in Hyogo Prefecture by a designated breeding farm
  2. Heifer or steer between 28 to 60 months old
  3. Processed at a designated meat center in Hyogo Prefecture
  4. Meat yield grade A or B; meat quality grade 4 or higher; and beef marbling standard (BMS) ranked No. 6 or higher
  5. Carcass weight at 499.9 kg or less
A 5 4 3 2 1 B C
Kobe Beef Beef Rating Meat quality grade Meat yield grade Tajima Beef
Beef Rating A 5 4 3 2 1 B C Meat yield grade Meat quality grade Kobe Beef Tajima Beef

Enjoying Kobe Beef in the United States

Savor or purchase Kobe Beef at a registered restaurant or shop near you.

How to verify if a shop is a Designated Registration Store

Check the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association website, or see the proof of registration at the storefront.

Displayed at the storefront of every Designated Registration Store is a bronze statue portraying the face of a cattle, as proof of authenticity. To serve Kobe Beef, shops must be authenticated as a Designated Registration Store by the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association, which manages the Kobe Beef brand.

A bronze statue given to a designated registered store.
A bronze statue given to a designated registered store.

How to verify if a shop is a Designated Registration Store

Check the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association website, or see the proof of registration at the storefront.

Displayed at the storefront of every Designated Registration Store is a bronze statue portraying the face of a cattle, as proof of authenticity. To serve Kobe Beef, shops must be authenticated as a Designated Registration Store by the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association, which manages the Kobe Beef brand.

Purchase at a shop near you

Enjoy authentic Kobe Beef in your favorite cooking style at a momentous occasion with family and friends, or as a gift for someone special.
Click on the button below to search for a shop near you.

Eat at a restaurant near you

Savor delectable Kobe Beef prepared by professional chefs with extensive knowledge on the premium beef.
Click on the button below to search for a restaurant near you.

Enjoy Kobe Beef in its hometown

There are more than 80 certified restaurants serving Kobe Beef in its hometown.
In addition to enjoying the premium beef, visit the various sites in the city related to Kobe Beef.

Some of the best ways to savor Kobe Beef

Yakiniku

(Japanese-style barbecue)

Shabu-shabu hot pot dish

Gyudon

(Beef bowl)

Yakiniku

(Japanese-style barbecue)

Shabu-shabu

hot pot dish

Gyudon

(Beef bowl)

Explore the port town of Kobe

How to get to Kobe with ANA

From Haneda Airport, flight to Kobe Airport or Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) allows for convenient travel to Kobe city center. Flight from Haneda Airport to Kobe Airport or Osaka International Airport is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Since flight operations are subject to change depending on circumstances, please see the latest flight schedule for the international flights and domestic flights.

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