What is Wagyu, really?
Not everything sold as Wagyu really is. We explain what makes it authentic, why Miyazaki is the benchmark region, and how to tell whether what you buy is genuine.
8 things to know about Wagyu
From what the word means to why Miyazaki is considered the home of the best Wagyu in the world.
“Wagyu” means “Japanese cow”
It is not a technique or a way of cutting meat: it is the genetics of specific cattle breeds—the best known, Kuroge Washu—capable of developing marbling that no other cattle can achieve.
Quality is measured on an official scale
Japan grades each cow with a letter (A–C, yield) and a number (1–5, quality). A5 is the highest grade: marbling, color, and texture at their peak.
Not all “Wagyu” in the world is Japanese
Decades ago, some cattle left Japan for Australia and the U.S., where they were crossbred with local breeds. The result—American or Australian “Wagyu”—has some of that genetics, but it is not Japanese Wagyu.
Authentic means born, raised, and slaughtered in Japan
This is the only definition that qualifies as 100% genuine Japanese Wagyu: born, raised, and slaughtered in Japan, from one of the certified breeds. If any of these three conditions is missing, it is not Japanese Wagyu—it is a crossbreed or an imitation.
The JMGA certificate is the proof
Every authentic cow comes with a pedigree and a certificate—in our case, JMGA—that documents its origin, farm, and grade. Without that document, it is just a marketing promise.
Miyazaki is one of Japan’s most award-winning regions
Every five years, Japan holds the National Wagyu Cattle Competition—the event that determines which region breeds the best cattle. Miyazaki has repeatedly ranked among the country’s most decorated regions.
Why does Miyazaki stand out so much?
A temperate climate, high-quality water, and farms that have spent generations perfecting the same genetics. The result is more consistent marbling and meat with less variation between cuts.
At WagyuBCN, we work exclusively with authentic A5 Miyazaki
Every order includes its JMGA certificate. No crossbreeding, no “Wagyu-style”: real Japanese Wagyu, born, raised, and slaughtered in Japan.
How to know whether the Wagyu you buy is genuine
Ask for the certificate of authenticity and the animal’s genealogy. If they cannot show it to you, it is probably not 100% Japanese Wagyu.
Beware of unusually low “Wagyu” prices: authentic breeding in Japan—limited genetics, almost 3 years of feeding, strict controls—has costs that cannot be cut.
Miyazaki, in brief
Kyushu Island, southern Japan
Repeatedly award-winning at the National Wagyu Competition
Certified Kuroge Washu
A5 — the highest possible grade