With “wakeari” (imperfect/irregular, sold at a discount) off-cuts, besides the large amount of 1kg, it can be hard to tell how many servings they make, what “wakeari” actually refers to, and whether they are suitable as a gift, so shoppers often hesitate. This article organizes the publicly available product-page listing and the Rakuten Ichiba reviews for Matsusaka Gyu A5 Mega Portion 1kg (500g × 2), sold on Rakuten Ichiba by Matsusaka Gyu Mie Matsuyoshi (松阪牛 三重松良), into five points: amount, storage method, ingredient labeling, suitability as a gift, and reviews.
What We Confirmed
- Amount and how many servings
- Storage method and best-before date
- The reason given for the “wakeari” label
- Ingredient and allergen labeling
- Whether it is suitable as a gift
- Trends in public 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 | 松阪牛 A5 メガ盛り 1kg 牛肉 切り落とし 訳あり (Matsusaka Gyu A5 Mega Portion 1kg Beef Off-Cuts Wakeari)Source: the beginning of the product name shown on the Rakuten Ichiba product page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Name | 松阪牛A5メガ盛り (Matsusaka Gyu A5 Mega Portion)Source: product page description (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Amount | 1,000g (500g × 2)Source: same as above |
| Cuts | Described as also using scrap trimmings and being cut to suit each part, so the shapes are uneven. The names of the parts used are not confirmedSource: guidance image on the product page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Storage Method | Keep frozen (−18°C or below)Source: product page description (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Best-Before Date | Stated as about 30 days frozen; instructions say to cook it the same day after thawingSource: product page description (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Country of Origin | Production area: Mie PrefectureSource: the “production area” (生産地) field of the product page description (viewed October 7, 2026). The page’s term is “production area,” not “country of origin of the raw material.” |
| Place of Processing | Not confirmedThe “processor” (加工者) field on the product page lists an address (Tsu, Mie Prefecture), but it does not say this is where the product was processed (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Condition / How to Eat (Cooking Required?) | We could not find any guidance on the product page about whether it can be eaten raw or must be cooked. The product name includes the words sukiyaki and gyudon (beef bowl), and the FAQ says instructions on how to cook it are includedSource: product name and FAQ on the product page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Thawing Method | Not confirmed |
| Shipping | Described as frozen delivery via Yamato TransportSource: product page description (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Manufacturer | Not confirmedThe product page lists MYV Co., Ltd. 松阪牛三重松良 (Matsusaka Gyu Mie Matsuyoshi) (189-1 Isshinden-Nakano, Tsu, Mie Prefecture) as the “processor” (加工者). It does not say whether this is the manufacturer or the seller (viewed October 7, 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 a guidance image on the product page, the reason is that it also uses scrap trimmings that come up while making Matsusaka Gyu products and are hard to shape, and that it is cut to suit each part, so the shapes are uneven〔Source: guidance image on the product page (viewed October 7, 2026)〕. What is stated there is that the shapes are uneven; any other reason is not stated on the product page and is not confirmed.
The product name and the catchphrase include the notation “A5.” Within what we checked, we could not find the basis for the grade or an individual identification number displayed on the product page.
Ingredients and Allergen Labeling
Within what we checked, we could not find ingredient names, additives, or allergen labeling on the product page. This item is not confirmed.
Note that beef is an item for which labeling is recommended under the Food Labeling Act (a recommended item, not a mandatory one). Since this product is beef itself, people with a beef allergy cannot eat it. If you want to check additives used in processing, please contact the seller before buying or check the food information label on the product when it arrives.
Reference: Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan, “About Allergen Labeling” (accessed October 7, 2026)
Five Things to Check Before Buying
| Item to Check | For This Product | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Amount and servings | 1,000g (500g × 2). We could not find on the product page how many servings it makes | Product page description |
| 2. Storage method and shelf life | Keep frozen (−18°C or below). Stated as about 30 days frozen; cook the same day after thawing | Product page description |
| 3. Ingredient and allergen labeling | Not confirmed (not stated on the product page) | Check the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| 4. Suitable as a gift? | The shop’s description mentions support for gift wrapping, noshi (gift wrapping label) and message cards. The types of inscription and wrapping for this specific product are not confirmed | Shop description on the product page |
| 5. Review trends | Rated 4.2/5 (752 reviews) on Rakuten Ichiba. Many reviews praise the amount and tenderness, while reviews mentioning a lot of fat stand out among ★1 and ★2 (a trend within the reviews we read: we read the first 59 in the default sort order and 30 each filtered to ★1 and ★2, 119 in total, posted between March 2020 and September 2026, the latest in September 2026. They may not reflect the current product) | Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 7, 2026) |
Suitable as a Gift?
The shop description on the product page says it supports gift wrapping, noshi and message cards. However, this is the shop’s general description, and the types of noshi inscription and wrapping options for this specific product are not confirmed〔Source: product page description (viewed October 7, 2026)〕.
According to the FAQ, delivery dates can generally be specified up to 30 days ahead. The same section notes that during busy periods such as Rakuten Super SALE, Father’s Day, and year-end, shipping may be done in sequence〔Source: product page FAQ (viewed October 7, 2026)〕. Since all products are described as arriving frozen, if you are considering it as a gift, checking the following before buying can help avoid a mix-up.
- What noshi and wrapping options are available (the types of inscription for this product are not stated on the product page)
- Since it is delivered by frozen shipping, whether you can specify a date and time when the recipient can receive it
- Whether the recipient has room in their freezer for 1kg (500g × 2)
Among the reviews we read, 5 of the 59 in the default sort order said they used it as a gift such as ochugen (mid-year gift) or for Father’s Day (source: Rakuten customer reviews, viewed October 7, 2026. This is a trend within the reviews we read and may not reflect the current product).
What Public Reviews Say
We organized the Rakuten Ichiba product reviews by viewpoint. Ratings are as of the date viewed and may change afterward.
| Site | Rating | Count | Viewed on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten customer reviews (product page) | 4.2 / 5 | 752 | October 7, 2026 |
Rating breakdown: ★5 445 / ★4 158 / ★3 54 / ★2 41 / ★1 54 (as shown on Rakuten Ichiba, viewed October 7, 2026)
Range read: the first 59 in the default sort order (posted October 2024 to September 2026, the latest in September 2026) and 30 each filtered to ★1 and ★2 (posted March 2020 to May 2026), 119 in total. This is a trend within the reviews we read and may not reflect the current product. Counts are approximate figures from counting the posts we read.
What Reviewers Praise
Amount and ease of portioning
About 14 of the 59 in the default sort order mentioned the generous amount, or that it is easy to use because it is divided into two 500g packs. The number of servings varies by post: one said it was enough for sukiyaki for 5 adults, while another said 3 adults could barely finish 500g. These serving counts are reviewers’ impressions, not the seller’s guidance.
Comments on price
About 13 said they were satisfied with the price. Many said they bought it during a sale; we do not include the price details in this article.
Tenderness and taste of the meat
About 11 said the meat was tender and tasted good. Some posts said they used it for sukiyaki, nikujaga, gyudon, yaki-shabu and other dishes. Some also said the pieces were not small even though they are off-cuts.
Sweetness of the fat
About 6 said the fat was sweet and not heavy. This includes posts saying they tasted the sweetness of the meat even though there was a fair amount of fat.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 7, 2026)
What Reviewers Note
These counts are within the reviews we read after filtering to ★1 and ★2. They are not a share of all ratings; this range includes many older posts, and posts from the last 2 years were 4 at ★1 and 3 at ★2.
A lot of fat
About 44 of the 60 ★1 and ★2 reviews (about 4 of them posted in the last 2 years) mentioned points such as there being a lot of fat, or white fat packed at the bottom. Among the 59 in the default sort order, about 6 of the ★4–5 reviews also said there was quite a lot of fat. The “wakeari” explanation only covers the uneven shapes; the product page does not mention the amount of fat or variation between packs.
How to check: what is described as the “wakeari” reason is summarized below the table in “Basic Information” in this article.
Difference between the photos and the contents
About 15 (about 3 of them posted in the last 2 years) said that the top of the pack looked mostly lean but there was a lot of fat underneath, and that the contents differed from the impression of the product photos.
Toughness and sinew
About 13 (about 3 of them posted in the last 2 years) said the meat was tough or had sinew. Since this is an off-cuts product with mixed parts, this includes posts to the effect that the texture varied even within the same bag.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 7, 2026)
Who It Suits / Who Should Be Careful
Who It Suits
- People who want to buy off-cuts in bulk for dishes such as sukiyaki, gyudon and nikujaga
- People who want to use it in two 500g packs
- People who have room in their freezer for 1kg
Who Should Be Careful
- People who want consistent amounts of fat or appearance (many ★1 and ★2 reviews pointed out a lot of fat)
- People who want to know the ingredient and allergen labeling before buying (not confirmed)
- People who want to decide on the noshi inscription or wrapping for a gift (support for this specific product is not confirmed)
- People who need thawing or cooking instructions (not stated on the product page)
Prices, stock, shipping fees, and delivery dates are subject to change. This article’s information-as-of date is October 7, 2026. Please be sure to check the listing at the link before purchasing.
This article contains affiliate links (advertising). Editorial Policy
Summary
- 1,000g (500g × 2), kept frozen (−18°C or below). Stated as about 30 days frozen, to be cooked the same day after thawing
- The “wakeari” explanation is that the shapes are uneven because scrap trimmings are also used. In reviews, mentions of a lot of fat stand out among ★1 and ★2
- Ingredient and allergen labeling, the noshi inscription for this specific product, and the thawing method could not be confirmed on the product page
Related Pages
This article organizes information published on sales sites and review sites. 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 7, 2026 / Sources: Rakuten Ichiba “Matsusaka Gyu Mie Matsuyoshi” product page, Rakuten customer reviews, Consumer Affairs Agency, “About Allergen Labeling”
![Product photo of thin slices of Omi beef for sukiyaki spread across a black plate with green leaves as a garnish (配送月が選べる 近江牛 すき焼き [Omi beef sukiyaki with a choice of delivery month]). Text the shop placed in the image: “定期便 容量も選べる” (subscription plans, size also selectable), “近江牛” (Omi beef), “すき焼き用” (for sukiyaki), “450g~470g”](https://ochinity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/eye-furusato-10000946-en-300x158.webp)
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