Yonezawa Beef Tokiwa

The history of Yonezawa beef goes back to the late Edo period. The fact that the Yonezawa Domain's official doctor used beef as a nutritional source, and that methods of preserving meat are recorded in "Katemono" written by Lord Uesugi Yozan — both show that beef culture took root early in this land.

In the Meiji era, when foreign teacher Charles Henry Dallas — invited to the domain school Kojokan — left Yonezawa, he took one head of Yonezawa beef back to Yokohama and served it. Its deliciousness became reputed, and the name "Yonezawa beef" spread nationwide all at once.

In this flow, in Meiji 27 (1894), the first-generation Shokichi Ozaki opened "Tokiwa Beef Shop" in Aramachi, Yonezawa City. Starting from winter sales leveraging yukimuro (snow cellars), now equipped with a meat shop, dining room, and gift mail order, the long-established shop runs meat sales and restaurant business centered on Yonezawa beef.

Currently, the 5th-generation owner inherits tradition while continuing to stick to "reliable quality and flavor" through whole-animal purchase discernment and careful preparation. From special days of Yonezawa households to gifts within and outside the prefecture, and mail orders — "Tokiwa's Yonezawa beef" is chosen in various scenes.

Founded in Meiji 27 (1894) — the oldest Yonezawa beef specialty shop in Yonezawa City

Tokiwa Beef Shop, founded in Meiji 27 (1894), is the longest-operating Yonezawa beef specialty shop in Yonezawa City. In the snow-deep Yonezawa region, the shop has protected the curtain for generations — nurturing the flavor and trust acclaimed as "Yonezawa has Tokiwa."

100% Yonezawa beef, whole-animal purchase discernment

The beef handled is 100% Yonezawa beef only. Purchased as whole animals, while discerning the characteristics of each part, the beef is proposed in the form that allows it to be enjoyed most deliciously — sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, steak, yakiniku.

Fine marbling raised by snow-country climate and rice country

The environment of the Okitama region — blessed with snowmelt water from the mountains, the climate with large temperature differences, and high-quality rice straw and feed — raises the flavor of Yonezawa beef with fine marbling and refined fat sweetness.

Imperial Household offering "Tokiwa-zuke" and a diverse gift lineup

"Tokiwa-zuke" — beef marinated in a secret bed combining local Yonezawa miso and famous brewery sake lees — is a signature product known as an Imperial Household offering since the Taisho period. Along with sukiyaki, steak, beef curry, and original processed items, abundant gift items are also available.