Gyu-Toro Day

What Is Gyu-Toro Day?

September 16th is "Gyu-Toro Day" in Japan, established in 2018 by Tokachi Slow Food Co., Ltd. of Shimizu, Hokkaido. The date comes from a wordplay reading of 9 as "gyu" and 16 as "toro," echoing the Japanese word for beef (gyu) and "toro" (melt-in-your-mouth).

A Wordplay Date Honoring a Signature Product

This memorial day was created to introduce more people to the company's signature product, "Gyu-Toro Flake."

• Origin: The date September 16th was chosen from a wordplay reading of "gyu (9) - toro (16)"
• Established by: Tokachi Slow Food Co., Ltd. of Shimizu, Hokkaido, in 2018
• Purpose: To encourage more people to try "Gyu-Toro," developed with its partner farm Bone Free Farm, and discover how good it tastes

What Is "Gyu-Toro Flake"?

Gyu-Toro Flake, created in 1997, is a beef product from the Tokachi region of Hokkaido that is typically sprinkled, still frozen, over a bowl of warm rice to make a "Gyu-Toro Don." As it meets the hot rice, it delivers a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor with minimal effort, making it a beloved regional specialty.

How to Mark the Day

• Try Gyu-Toro Flake spooned over a bowl of rice
• Learn about the food culture and specialties of the Tokachi region
• Look for creative recipes that use Gyu-Toro Flake
• Order some Hokkaido specialty products to share with family

A Playful Number Combination That Carries Hokkaido's Flavor

Gyu-Toro Day combines playful wordplay with genuine pride in Tokachi's food culture. On September 16th, why not take your time savoring the melt-in-your-mouth taste of Gyu-Toro Flake?