Miyazaki Beef—Japan’s most delicious wagyu—is so unbelievably good that our editorial team went along for a tasting report!

When you think of SUNNY SIDE UP, there are many areas we specialize in—corporate PR, facility PR, entertainment events, and more—but we also excel at “regional PR”!

Regional PR involves teaming up with local governments and businesses to uncover what makes an area special and share that information with media outlets—especially in the Tokyo metropolitan area—so the region’s appeal can be promoted nationwide.This time, we would like to take a deeper dive into the appeal of Miyazaki Beef, which our editorial team encountered through a Miyazaki Prefecture gourmet information outreach project.

This project began with a passionate desire to let more people know about the simply too-delicious Miyazaki Beef… and, if possible, to eat even more of it.We brought along editorial team members who supported the project and created a tasting report, so we would like to share what it was like.

Cheers with Miyazaki’s bright-red local beer, “Akai Ito”! 🍺

Before that, let us introduce Miyazaki Prefecture!

As Miyazaki Prefecture promotes itself as “Japan’s Sunny Side: Miyazaki,” it truly is a tropical paradise, with a mild climate and abundant sunshine. When the weather is good, the food tastes better, and the people are kind and warm. It is so appealing that you may find yourself thinking, “I want to live in Miyazaki after retirement…” With its warm climate and fertile land, Miyazaki is also known as “Miyazaki, the Livestock Kingdom,” where Miyazaki Beef—one of Japan’s finest wagyu—is raised.

Now, back to the topic of meat…

Japan is home to countless branded beef varieties, and the beauty of the marbling is nothing short of art.
So, among all these wagyu brands, why is Miyazaki Beef the best in Japan? Let us explain…

Held once every five years, the National Wagyu Ability Competition—also known as the “Wagyu Olympics”—brings together outstanding wagyu from across Japan to compete in the results of breeding improvements and livestock management techniques. It includes the “Breeding Cattle Division,” which evaluates the physique of bulls and cows, and the “Fattened Cattle Division,” which evaluates meat quality. The top prize in each division is the “Prime Minister’s Award,” and only by winning it can a producer earn the title of Japan’s best.

Miyazaki Beef has won the “Prime Minister’s Award” for four consecutive competitions: the 9th Tottori competition (both the Breeding and Fattened divisions), the 10th Nagasaki competition (Breeding division), the 11th Miyagi competition (Fattened division), and the 12th Kagoshima competition (Fattened division), firmly establishing its position.

In other words, it is officially recognized by the nation as Japan’s best! With a 20-year, runaway track record,even Samurai Japan—proud winners of 3 championships across the past 5 WBC (World Baseball Classic) tournaments—would be impressed.

And with that, here we are.

We are at “Miyazaki Fudo Kuwanne Quwanne,” located on the 2nd floor of “Shinjuku Miyazaki-kan KONNE,” just a 1-minute walk from the Shinjuku Station South Exit!

At “Miyazaki Fudo Kuwanne Quwanne,” you can enjoy Miyazaki Prefecture’s local cuisine made with an abundance of seasonal ingredients harvested in Miyazaki, as well as Miyazaki-produced beer, shochu, and more.

In particular, the sweet Miyazaki soy sauce served with sashimi is so delicious it could be a snack for your drink all on its own!

Carefully selected fresh sashimi 🍵 Enjoy it with your choice of soy sauce

The editorial team can’t hide their excitement at the gorgeous glow of “Toji Junpei”

On the first floor, the antenna shop “Shinjuku Miyazaki-kan KONNE” also sells seasonings and foods that are only available locally, so it is a great perk that you can purchase items you discovered at the restaurant.
*Some items may not be available in-store.

And now, here it is—Miyazaki Beef!!!!

Charcoal-grilled Miyazaki Beef 🐄 The spring-perfect pink salt is made by combining ume vinegar and double-flowered cherry blossoms 🌸

Here, a brief explanation of what makes Miyazaki Beef so delicious…

The newly established District 7 (Fat Quality Evaluation Group), introduced in the “Fattened Cattle Division” at the 12th National Wagyu Ability Competition held last October, focuses on “fat quality (monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content)” in addition to meat yield and meat quality as one objective method for demonstrating “wagyu deliciousness” in line with consumer needs and trends. As the content of “oleic acid,” which makes up most MUFAs, increases in beef, the melting point of the fat decreases, improving the melt-in-your-mouth texture when you eat it. In addition, the flavor and wagyu’s distinctive aroma (“wagyu aroma”) become more pronounced, making it one indicator used to evaluate “wagyu deliciousness.”

Just look at this incredible view. It is already a guaranteed win before the first bite!!!

In this category, Miyazaki Beef demonstrated overwhelmingly superior meat quality and fat quality that left entries from other prefectures far behind, winning the top prize (No. 1 nationwide) and earning the evaluation of “Japan’s most delicious.” In short—though it is a bit technical—the secret behind Miyazaki Beef being No. 1 in Japan is that the quality of its fat is on a completely different level. Because it is high-quality fat, it melts just right in your mouth and is not greasy, making it exceptionally easy to eat! …It is delicious. Miyazaki Beef. Before we knew it, the meat on our plates had disappeared.

Miyazaki Beef is highly recommended, but at “Miyazaki Fudo Kuwanne Quwanne,” you can also enjoy Miyazaki’s land and sea specialties near Shinjuku Station, including charcoal-grilled Miyazaki Jitokko (local chicken) and deep-fried mehikari. In addition, the manager and staff—brimming with love for Miyazaki—can help you choose drinks to pair with your meal from a wide lineup of shochu.

Charcoal-grilled Miyazaki Jitokko chicken

Deep-fried Mehikari

Pairs perfectly with these delicious dishes that keep the drinks flowing! Also available: smooth, grown-up sake 🍶

The original MIYAZAKI SHOCHU FOODS FESTIVAL 2019 ochoko cup is also adorable!

Miyazaki Fudo Kuwanne Quwanne—thank you for the delicious meal!

Miyazaki Fudo Kuwanne Quwanne
Address: Shinjuku Southern Terrace, 2-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00–15:00 (L.O. 14:30) / 17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Phone: 03-5308-5200
Closed:Open year-round* (except the year-end/New Year holidays; other closures follow KONNE’s schedule)
Official website:https://www.konne.jp/restaurant