Kagoshima vs Miyazaki Wagyu: What Is the Difference?
Kagoshima vs Miyazaki Wagyu, in short: both are A5 Japanese Black beef from Kyushu with protected Geographical Indication status. Miyazaki is famous for winning the Prime Minister's Award at four national Wagyu competitions in a row, while Kagoshima is Japan's largest Japanese Black cattle producer. At Tajimaya Yakiniku, Great World, A5 cuts of both start from $68.90 per 120g.
Both prefectures sit on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, and both produce some of the most marbled beef in the country. The difference is less about "better" and more about origin, certification and the cut you choose. Here is how they compare, and how to order them at the grill.
Kagoshima vs Miyazaki Wagyu at a Glance
| Miyazaki Wagyu | Kagoshima Wagyu | |
|---|---|---|
| Prefecture | Miyazaki, Kyushu | Kagoshima, Kyushu |
| Protected name | Miyazaki Gyu, GI No. 55 | Kagoshima Kuroushi, GI No. 58 |
| Known for | 4 Prime Minister's Awards in a row (2007, 2012, 2017, 2022) | No. 1 Japanese Black producer; 6 of 9 divisions at the 2022 Wagyu Olympics |
| Menu description | Exceptional marbling, rich flavour, tender texture | Exceptional quality, rich marbling, refined flavour |
| A5 cuts at Tajimaya | Striploin, Ribeye, Boneless Short Rib | Striploin, Ribeye, Top Blade, Chuck Short Rib, Flank, Flap Meat, Rib Finger |
| Price at Tajimaya (120g) | $78.90 – $88.90 | $68.90 – $88.90 |
Prices from the Tajimaya Yakiniku à la carte menu, subject to prevailing GST and service charge.
What Is Miyazaki Wagyu?
Miyazaki Gyu is registered as Geographical Indication No. 55 with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), for marbled beef from Miyazaki Prefecture. According to the Miyazaki tourism board, the name is only given to cattle raised in Miyazaki that meet strict quality standards.
Its reputation rests on the National Competitive Exhibition of Wagyu, held once every five years and often called the "Wagyu Olympics". MAFF records Prime Minister's Awards in 2007, 2012 and 2017, and the Miyazaki Wagyu Council reports a fourth consecutive Prime Minister's Award in 2022, in the fat-quality division.
A5 Miyazaki Wagyu at Tajimaya (120g)
A5 Miyazaki Striploin: $88.90 (recommended)
A5 Miyazaki Ribeye: $88.90
A5 Miyazaki Boneless Short Rib: $78.90
What Is Kagoshima Wagyu?
Kagoshima Kuroushi ("Kagoshima black cattle") is Geographical Indication No. 58, protected since 15 December 2017. It covers beef from Japanese Black heifers and steers that spend most of their feeding period in Kagoshima and are finished there.
Kagoshima is about scale as well as quality. The Japan GI Center notes that Kagoshima ranked first in Japan for both Japanese Black breeding cows and fattening cattle from 1995 to 2017. When Kagoshima hosted the 2022 Wagyu Olympics, its cattle took first place in six of the nine judged divisions, according to Kagoshima Tourism.
A5 Kagoshima Wagyu at Tajimaya (120g)
A5 Kagoshima Striploin: $88.90 (recommended)
A5 Kagoshima Ribeye: $88.90
A5 Kagoshima Top Blade: $88.90
A5 Kagoshima Chuck Short Rib: $88.90 (recommended)
A5 Kagoshima Flank: $78.90
A5 Kagoshima Flap Meat: $78.90
A5 Kagoshima Rib Finger: $68.90 (recommended)
Does A5 Mean the Same Thing for Both?
Yes. Japanese beef is graded on two scales: a yield grade from A to C and a meat quality grade from 1 to 5, as the Japan National Tourism Organization explains. The quality grade looks at marbling, meat colour and texture, and fat colour, with marbling measured on the Beef Marble Score (grading guide).
So an A5 Miyazaki striploin and an A5 Kagoshima striploin have both reached the top grade. The differences you notice at the table come from the cut, the individual animal and how you grill it.
How Do They Taste?
Both are rich and tender, but our menu describes them a little differently:
Miyazaki: exceptional marbling, rich flavour and a tender texture. Good if you want a deep, buttery bite.
Kagoshima: exceptional quality, rich marbling and a refined flavour. Good if you want a slightly cleaner finish between bites.
Taste is personal, so the best way to decide is to compare them yourself.
How to Order Them at Tajimaya
Our à la carte menu lets you build a Kagoshima vs Miyazaki tasting at your own grill:
Side by side: order the same cut from each prefecture, such as both striploins ($88.90 each), and grill them one after the other.
Best value A5: start with the A5 Kagoshima Rib Finger at $68.90, the lowest-priced A5 cut on the menu.
Mix of textures: pair a lean-marbled cut (Kagoshima Flank or Flap Meat, $78.90) with a richer one (Miyazaki Ribeye, $88.90).
A5 Wagyu needs only a few seconds per side. Read our guide on how to grill Wagyu beef before you start, and see the full à la carte menu guide for every item and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kagoshima or Miyazaki Wagyu better?
Neither is simply better. Both are A5 Japanese Black beef from Kyushu with protected GI status. Miyazaki is known for four consecutive Prime Minister's Awards, Kagoshima for being Japan's largest Japanese Black producer. Many diners order one cut of each to compare.
Is Miyazaki Wagyu the same as Kobe beef?
No. Miyazaki Wagyu comes from Miyazaki Prefecture and Kobe beef from Hyogo Prefecture. Both are Japanese Wagyu brands with their own certification rules.
Where can I eat A5 Kagoshima and Miyazaki Wagyu in Singapore?
Tajimaya Yakiniku at Great World serves both on its à la carte menu, from $68.90 per 120g, grilled by you over a charcoal grill at the table.
What is the cheapest A5 Wagyu cut at Tajimaya?
The A5 Kagoshima Rib Finger at $68.90 for 120g is the lowest-priced A5 cut on the Tajimaya à la carte menu.
Tajimaya Yakiniku is at 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1-115, Great World, Singapore 237994, near Great World MRT (Exit 2). Reserve a table or WhatsApp +65 8303 1863.
All prices are subject to prevailing GST and service charge.
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