Farm Visit | Ishigaki Beef @ Yaeyama Farm

Staff from our 3 sister restaurants in Okinawa recently visited "Yaeyama Farm" on Ishigaki Island to retrace the roots of our ingredients.

As a member of the Rohto Pharmaceutical Group, Yaeyama Farm takes a pioneering approach to food and wellness starting from primary industry, guided by the theme of "building a healthy body without relying excessively on medicine." Through their "6th-sector sustainability" model—seamlessly integrating everything from production and processing to sales—they champion healthy living with safe, wholesome food.

Among their progressive agricultural projects, the crown jewel is the production of the ultra-premium "石垣牛(Ishigaki Beef)."

What is Ishigaki Beef?

Born and raised on Ishigaki Island, Ishigaki Beef is the premier Japanese Black Wagyu, widely considered the origin of Japan's top branded beef. It gained global acclaim after being featured as the main course at the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit dinner in 2000. The secret to its exceptional quality lies in the island’s vast natural landscapes and year-round warm climate. Grazing on pastures rich in minerals carried by the sea breeze keeps the cattle stress-free and their muscles tender, resulting in an incredibly soft texture with beautifully fine marbling.

The farm also holds a deep commitment to their feed. They produce a unique fermented feed utilizing awamori dregs (distillery mash) from the local Yaesen Shuzo brewery. This sustainable, ideal approach not only reduces the meat's gaminess and increases savory oleic acid, but also improves the cattle's digestive health.

At CROSS 47, MOSS okinawa, and OCTO(in Kouri Island), our chefs incorporate this extraordinary Ishigaki Beef into their menus. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to deliver the "authentic flavor" nurtured by the island's rich nature and the producers' dedication directly to our guests.

Our Restaurant