Because “wakeari” (a Japanese retail term for goods sold with a stated reason, such as irregular shape) off-cuts vary in part and shape, it can be hard to tell how many servings they make, whether they work as a gift, or whether 1kg will fit in your freezer, and shoppers often hesitate over these points. This article organizes the publicly available product-page listing and the Rakuten Ichiba reviews for this shop’s Matsusaka Gyu Ōgon Mega Portion 1kg (500g × 2 packs), sold on Rakuten Ichiba, into five points: amount, storage method, ingredient labeling, suitability as a gift, and reviews.
What We Confirmed
- The amount and roughly how many servings it makes
- Storage method and best-before date
- Ingredient and allergen labeling
- Whether it works as a gift
- Trends in publicly posted reviews
Basic Information
This table transcribes what is stated on the product page. However, the “not confirmed” labels and any notes we add are our own.
| Product Name | Beef Matsusaka Gyu Mega Portion 1kg [Wakeari] Matsusaka Gyu Off-Cuts Meat Gyudon Small Portions Sukiyaki Shabu-Shabu Oseibo (year-end gift) Gift 2026 Present Food Foodstuff Gourmet Autumn Return Gift Domestic Mie Mail Order Wagyu Matsuyoshi Rakuten Japanese Gourmet Delivery Matsusaka MeatSource: Rakuten Ichiba product name listing (viewed October 2, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Name | Matsusaka Gyu Ōgon Mega PortionSource: Rakuten Ichiba product description (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Amount | 1kg (500g × 2 packs)Source: as above |
| Cut / Part | Described as also using scrap trimmings that come up during production and are hard to shape, and as being cut to suit each part, so shapes are uneven. The names of the parts used are not confirmedSource: description on an LP image on the product page (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Storage Method | Keep frozen (−18°C or below)Source: product page description (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Best-Before Date | About 30 days when frozen; instructions state to cook it the same day after thawing. The FAQ on the same page also states a shelf life of 30 days frozen from shipmentSource: product page description (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Country of Origin | Production area: Mie PrefectureSource: the “production area” field of the product page description (viewed October 2, 2026). The page’s term is “production area,” not “country of origin of the raw material.” |
| Place of Processing | Not confirmed |
| Condition / How to Eat (Whether Cooking Is Needed) | We found no guidance on the product page about whether it can be eaten raw or whether cooking is needed. The product name mentions sukiyaki, gyudon, and shabu-shabuSource: product page name and description (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Thawing Method | Not confirmedThe product page says it comes with instructions on how to cook it, and we found no description of a thawing method. Source: product page FAQ (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Shipping | Described as frozen delivery via Yamato TransportSource: product page description (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Manufacturer | MYV Co., Ltd. / Matsusaka Gyu Mie Matsuyoshi / 189-1 Isshinden-Nakano, Tsu, Mie, JapanSource: the “manufacturer” field of the product page description (viewed October 2, 2026) |
| Shop | Matsusaka Gyu Mie Matsuyoshi (Rakuten Ichiba) |
Prices are not listed here because they change. Please check the current price and stock availability at the link above.
This product is sold as “wakeari.” According to an LP image on the product page, the reason given is that it also uses scrap trimmings that come up during Matsusaka Gyu production and are hard to shape, and is cut to suit each part so it is easy to eat, which results in uneven shapesSource: description on an LP image on the product page (viewed October 2, 2026).
Ingredients and Allergen Labeling
Within what we could check, the product page does not show an ingredient list, additives, or allergen labeling. This item is not confirmed.
Note that “beef” is included among the items for which labeling is recommended under Japan’s Food Labeling Act (an item treated in the same way as the specified allergens, though not itself mandatory). Since this product is beef itself, anyone with a beef allergy cannot eat it. If you want to check additives used in processing, ask the shop before buying or check the label on the product when it arrives.
Reference: Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan, “About Allergen Labeling” (accessed October 2, 2026)
Five Things to Check Before Buying
| What to Check | For This Product | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Amount and servings | 1kg (500g × 2 packs). The product page does not state how many servings this makes, so it is not confirmed | Product page description |
| 2. Storage method and shelf life | Keep frozen (−18°C or below). About 30 days when frozen; instructions state to cook it the same day after thawing | Product page description |
| 3. Ingredient and allergen labeling | Not confirmed (the product page has no ingredient list or allergen labeling section at all) | Checked on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| 4. Whether it works as a gift | The product description states that it supports noshi (gift wrapping label), but the page’s own data (the noshi setting field) shows it as not supported — the two do not match. Details such as the type of inscription are not confirmed | Product page description and the on-page setting display |
| 5. Trends in reviews | Rakuten Ichiba’s rating is 4.29 out of 5 (360 reviews). What we read is the first 60 reviews in the default order (posted April 2013 to April 2026; latest April 2026) plus all 36 reviews filtered to 1★ and 2★, 96 in total. These are trends within what we read and may not reflect the product’s current condition. The trends are summarized in the “What Public Reviews Say” section | Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 2, 2026) |
Suitable as a Gift?
The product page’s description states that it supports gift wrapping, noshi, and message cards. However, the noshi setting field included in the same product page’s data shows it as not supported (this is not something shown on screen), so the two do not match (source: Rakuten Ichiba product page, viewed October 2, 2026). If you are considering this as a gift, checking the following with the shop directly before you buy can help avoid a mismatch.
- Whether noshi is actually supported at all (since the description and the on-page setting display do not match)
- What types of inscription are available for the noshi, and whether a name can be printed
- Whether it arrives in a gift box or a simple gift box
- Since it ships frozen, whether the recipient can specify a date and time to receive it
Delivery dates can generally be specified up to 30 days ahead (during busy periods such as Rakuten Super SALE, Father’s Day, and year-end, shipping may also be done in sequence)Source: product page FAQ (viewed October 2, 2026). Use as a gift for occasions such as ochugen (mid-year gift), oseibo (year-end gift), and uchi-iwai (return gift) is described in the shop’s shared description text, but since the type of inscription is not specified for this product, whether it can be accommodated for each occasion is not confirmed.
Among the reviews we read, some posts said it was used as a gift for family or friends far away (these are posts by the giver, not the recipient’s own words). Details are in the next section on reviews.
What Public Reviews Say
The following organizes Rakuten Ichiba product reviews by theme. The rating figures are as of the time they were retrieved and may change afterward.
| Site | Rating | Count | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten customer reviews (product page) | 4.29 / 5 | 360 | October 2, 2026 |
Rating breakdown: 5★ 219 / 4★ 84 / 3★ 21 / 2★ 15 / 1★ 21 (as shown on Rakuten Ichiba, viewed October 2, 2026)
What we read: the first 60 reviews in Rakuten’s default order (posted April 2013 to April 2026; latest April 2026), plus all 21 filtered to 1★ (posted January 2015 to March 2026) and all 15 filtered to 2★ (posted August 2014 to February 2025), 96 in total. These are trends within what we read and may not reflect the product’s current condition.
What Reviewers Praise
Sweetness and richness of the fat
Of the 60 posts in the default order, 11 mentioned that the fat is sweet and not heavy, or that the meat has a rich flavor. Some also wrote that it was easy to eat even for people who dislike fatty meat and for children.
Tenderness
7 posts said the meat was tender. Some also mention using it for yakiniku or stews.
Size and appearance
9 posts mentioned that when the meat arrived, it was big enough that it didn’t look like off-cuts, or that the marbling was beautiful. Some posts also say its thinness makes it suitable for shabu-shabu.
Posts about using it as a gift
14 posts said they used it as a gift for family or friends, as a treat to share, or as a prize at a golf tournament, and that it was well received (5 of these were posted within the last two years). These are posts by the giver, not the recipient’s own words.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 2, 2026)
What Reviewers Note
A lot of fat
20 of the 36 posts at 1★ and 2★ mentioned that there is a lot of fat (4 of them within the last two years). Several posts felt that more than half was fat. It was also mentioned in 5 of the 60 posts in the default order.
How to check: What the product page says about the parts used is summarized in the “Cut / Part” row of “Basic Information” in this article.
Variation within a pack or from one order to the next
8 of the 36 posts at 1★ and 2★ wrote that within one pack the top looked like the photo but the bottom was fat or end pieces, or that the contents seemed different each time they bought. 5 of the 8 were posted in 2020 or earlier, none were posted within the last two years (since October 2024), and the most recent is from August 2024. It was also mentioned in 2 of the 60 posts in the default order.
How to check: The reason the product page gives for selling this product as wakeari is summarized in the paragraph right after “Basic Information” in this article.
Toughness and gristle
14 of the 36 posts at 1★ and 2★ wrote that the meat was tough or that gristle bothered them. However, 11 of the 14 were posted in 2020 or earlier, and 1 within the last two years. It was also mentioned in 2 of the 60 posts in the default order.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 2, 2026)
Who It Suits / Who Should Be Careful
Who It Suits
- Those who want to use Matsusaka Gyu off-cuts for sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or gyudon
- Those who want to use it in two batches, since it comes in 500g × 2 packs
- Those who want to keep it frozen and use it whenever suits them
- Those who have room in the freezer for 1kg
Who Should Be Careful
- Anyone with a beef allergy (this product is beef itself, so it cannot be eaten)
- Anyone bothered by a lot of fat or by differences in contents from pack to pack (reviews point this out)
- Anyone who wants to choose by grade (no grade is shown on the product page; not confirmed)
- Anyone who wants to use this as a gift assuming noshi / gift support (the description and the page’s display do not match; not confirmed. Please check with the seller before buying)
Prices, stock, shipping fees, and delivery dates are subject to change. This article’s information-as-of date is October 2, 2026. Please be sure to check the listing at the link before purchasing.
This article contains affiliate links (advertising). Editorial Policy
Summary
- The amount is 1kg (500g × 2 packs); it should be kept frozen at −18°C or below, and instructions state to cook it the same day after thawing
- The product page states the reason for the “wakeari” label is that it also uses scrap trimmings from the production process, resulting in uneven shapes. Reviews point to a lot of fat and to variation from pack to pack
- Ingredient and allergen labeling, the number of servings, the grade, and noshi details could not be confirmed on the product page. For gift use, please check the noshi mismatch with the shop before you buy
Related Pages
This article organizes information published on each seller’s site. Product details such as amount, storage method, and ingredients may change. Please check the seller’s listing for the latest information.
Comments on taste or quality are summarized from third-party posts cited with their source, and are not Ochinity’s own evaluation. Our approach to writing articles is described in our Editorial Policy.
Information as of: October 2, 2026 / Sources: Rakuten Ichiba “Matsusaka Gyu Mie Matsuyoshi” product page, Rakuten customer reviews, Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan, “About Allergen Labeling”
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