Tabelog ratingYamagaki Chikusan Honten (山垣畜産 本店) is not a restaurant, but a destination for meat lovers: a butcher shop owned by the farm that raises the cattle. Located in the Kita ward of Kobe, it has built a loyal following for selling high-quality black-haired wagyu beef at prices that reviewers consistently describe as surprisingly reasonable. The shop is lively and bustling, particularly on weekends, with customers queuing for both its fresh cuts and its prepared foods.
The stars of the show for many are the take-home deli items. The croquettes (コロッケ) and minced meat cutlets (ミンチカツ) are so popular they are considered a 'must-buy' by many regulars. These are typically sold chilled or frozen in packs, ready to be fried at home. The shop also offers a wide selection of other house-made goods, including sausages (ウインナー) and roast pork (焼豚). For fresh meat, customers praise the wide selection, which includes premium cuts for sukiyaki and steak as well as offal, all tasting far more expensive than their price tags suggest.
The main drawback is the shop's popularity, which can lead to long queues and items selling out, especially on weekends. Reviewers also note that the main store sells its famous croquettes chilled, not fried fresh. Payment is also limited, so be prepared.
Reviewers report excellent value across the board. Recent prices include a 10-pack of croquettes for around ¥750, a 7-pack of menchi katsu for ¥715, sukiyaki beef for about ¥1,150 per 100g, and loin cuts around ¥895 per 100g. Most shoppers spend between ¥1,000 and ¥2,000 per visit.
- Getting There: The shop is a 20-minute walk from Taoji Station (Kobe Electric Railway Sanda Line) or accessible by car via the Yoshio Interchange on the Rokko Kita Toll Road.
- Parking: A large, free parking lot is available on-site.
- Booking: Not required for regular shopping. Expect to queue, especially on weekends. Ordering is done via a paper slip at the counter.
- Payment: Cash and PayPay are accepted. Credit cards and other forms of electronic money are not accepted.
- For Families: Children are welcome.
- Good to Know: This is a take-out only butcher shop. If buying frozen items, consider bringing a cooler bag.