“Wakeari Hida Gyu Lean Sliced Beef for Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu” (訳あり 飛騨牛 赤身スライス すきしゃぶ用) is a thank-you gift for furusato nozei (hometown tax donation program) donations to Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. Thinly sliced lean Hida Gyu arrives frozen, in a 300g or 500g size. The Rakuten Furusato Nozei application page says the item is “wakeari” (a Japanese retail term for items sold “with a reason”) because you cannot choose whether the cut is momo (round) or kata (shoulder). In this article, we organized what the application page and reviews say into five points: quantity, shelf life, ingredient labeling, suitability as a gift, and reviews. We mainly cover the 500g size.
What We Confirmed
- Quantity and how many servings
- Storage method and shelf life
- Ingredients and allergen labeling
- Whether it works 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 | Wakeari Hida Gyu Lean Sliced Beef for Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu, 500g (Hida City, Gifu; furusato nozei)The product name shown on the Rakuten page is a long string with many search terms. Only the product-name part is shown here. |
|---|---|
| Name | Hida Gyu (飛騨牛)Source: the name field in the product description on the Rakuten Furusato Nozei application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Quantity | You choose from two sizes, 300g and 500g. This article mainly covers 500g. The application page does not state how many servings: Not confirmedSource: product description and selection field on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Choices that change what arrives | You choose the quantity (300g / 500g). For both, the only shipping option is 「通常出荷（2週間程度）」 (regular shipping, about 2 weeks)Source: selection field on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Donation amount | 300g: 17,000 yen / 500g: 23,000 yen (Rakuten Furusato Nozei; as of October 7, 2026)Source: options in the selection field on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Cut | Momo or kata (round or shoulder; 「もも肉又はかた肉」). You cannot choose which one arrivesSource: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Reason for “wakeari” | The application page explains that the item is a wakeari product because the cut is momo or kata and cannot be chosen. We found no other reason (such as uneven shapes) statedSource: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Storage | Frozen. No storage temperature figure is given: Not confirmedSource: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Best-before | 60 days from manufacture, frozen (written in the 「消費期限」 (use-by date) field on the application page)Source: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| How to thaw | We found no thawing instructions or shelf life after thawing on the application page: Not confirmed |
| Origin of ingredients | The origin field says 「岐阜県産」 (from Gifu Prefecture)Source: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Processing location | The field for handler and processor lists JAひだ特産加工センター (JA Hida Specialty Processing Center), Hida City, Gifu PrefectureSource: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Condition / how to eat (cooking required?) | Arrives frozen. It is thinly sliced, and the page says it can be used for sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. We found no guidance on whether cooking is required or whether it can be eaten rawSource: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Delivery | Frozen delivery. You cannot specify a delivery date. The page says it is usually delivered about 2 weeks to 1 month after payment is confirmedSource: product description and selection field on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Manufacturer | The handler and processor is listed as JAひだ特産加工センター (JA Hida Specialty Processing Center), Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. Whether it is the manufacturer or the seller: Not confirmedSource: product description on the application page (accessed October 7, 2026) |
| Shop | Hida City (Rakuten Furusato Nozei). The application page says it was renewed on August 1, 2025 |
Donation amounts differ by portal and by the size you choose, and may change. Please check the current donation amount and availability at the link above.
Ingredients and Allergen Labeling
Within what we could check, the product description on the application page has no ingredient name or allergen labeling. This item is Not confirmed.
If you have allergy concerns, contact the provider before applying for the donation, or check the label on the product when it arrives.
Reference: Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan, “About Allergen Labeling” (accessed October 7, 2026)
Five Things to Check Before You Donate
| What to check | For this gift | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Quantity / servings | 300g or 500g. Number of servings not stated | Product description and selection field on the Rakuten Furusato Nozei application page |
| 2. Storage and shelf life | Frozen. Best-before stated as 60 days from manufacture. How to thaw and shelf life after thawing: Not confirmed | Product description on the application page |
| 3. Ingredients / allergen labeling | Not confirmed (not listed on the page) | Product description on the application page |
| 4. Suitable as a gift? | Noshi, wrapping, and message cards: Not confirmed | Application page (no mention in the noshi, wrapping, or message card fields) |
| 5. Review trends | Rated 4.8/5 on Rakuten Ichiba (92 reviews). We read the first 60 reviews in Rakuten’s default order (posted December 2019–September 2026, latest September 2026) and all 2 ★1 reviews (posted December 2022–December 2025). The following are trends within what we read and do not necessarily reflect the current state of the product. Many reviewers mention tenderness, fat that is not heavy, and satisfaction with it in sukiyaki | Rakuten reviews (みんなのレビュー) (accessed October 7, 2026) |
Suitable as a Gift?
We found no information on the application page about whether noshi (gift wrapping label) is available or what inscriptions are offered, wrapping, or message cards. The product name shown on the Rakuten page includes words such as “gift” and “present” (ギフト, 贈り物), but this is a list of search terms, not a statement about noshi or wrapping support (Source: Rakuten Furusato Nozei application page, accessed October 7, 2026).
- Noshi: availability and types of inscription are Not confirmed
- Wrapping / gift box: Not confirmed
- Message card / name printing: Not confirmed
- Recipient: we found no mention of whether it can be delivered to an address other than the donor’s (Not confirmed)
- Date: the page says you cannot specify a delivery date
The page says furusato nozei thank-you gifts cannot be canceled, changed, or returned after applying. If you plan to use it as a gift, check how noshi, wrapping, and delivery addresses are handled on the application page before you apply.
What Public Reviews Say
We organized the product reviews on Rakuten Ichiba by topic. Rating figures are as of the time of viewing and change afterward.
| Site | Rating | Reviews | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten reviews (みんなのレビュー) (product page) | 4.8 / 5 | 92 | October 7, 2026 |
Rating breakdown: ★5 80 / ★4 10 / ★3 0 / ★2 0 / ★1 2 (as displayed on Rakuten Ichiba, accessed October 7, 2026)
What we read: the first 60 reviews in the default order (posted December 2019–September 2026, latest September 2026) and all 2 ★1 reviews (posted December 2022–December 2025), 62 in total. There were no ★2 or ★3 reviews. These are trends within what we read and do not necessarily reflect the current state of the product.
The Rakuten review section also included posts about sizes different from the current ones (300g and 500g, frozen), such as 550g or a choice of shipping month, and posts saying it arrived refrigerated.
What Reviewers Praise
Satisfaction in sukiyaki
32 of the 60 default-order reviews said they ate it as sukiyaki and were satisfied (11 of them posted in the last two years). 6 said they ate it as shabu-shabu.
Tenderness
16 of the 60 default-order reviews said it was tender (8 of them posted in the last two years).
Fat that is not heavy, lean meat that is easy to eat
16 of the 60 default-order reviews said the fat was not heavy or that the lean meat was easy to eat (6 of them posted in the last two years).
Amount and size of each slice
18 of the 60 default-order reviews said they were satisfied with the amount or with the size of each slice of meat (8 of them posted in the last two years).
Source: Rakuten reviews (みんなのレビュー) (accessed October 7, 2026)
What Reviewers Note
Short best-before date
2 of the 62 reviews we read said, in effect, that because the best-before date is close you need to decide in advance when you will eat it (1 of them posted in the last two years).
How to check: the “Best-before” row of “Basic Information” gives what the application page states (60 days from manufacture, frozen).
The 2 ★1 reviews were about different things, and we found no point raised by two or more of them (there are only 2 ★1 reviews in total, and no ★2 or ★3 reviews). Posts about delivery or the donation procedure are not counted as comments on the product.
Source: Rakuten reviews (みんなのレビュー) (accessed October 7, 2026)
Who It Suits / Who Should Be Careful
Who It Suits
- People looking for thinly sliced meat for sukiyaki or shabu-shabu among thank-you gifts
- People looking for lean beef that is not too fatty (many reviews say it is not heavy)
- People for whom a frozen 300g or 500g size is enough
Who Should Be Careful
- People who want to choose whether momo or kata arrives (cannot be chosen)
- People who want to know the number of servings before deciding (not stated)
- People who want to give it as a gift assuming noshi, wrapping, or a message card (Not confirmed)
- People who want to specify the delivery date (cannot be specified)
Furusato nozei is for people who pay resident tax in Japan. You cannot receive the tax deduction without a Japanese address on January 1 of the following year, the One-Stop Exception requires a My Number, and the application pages are almost entirely in Japanese. Donation amounts, availability, and shipping times change. This article’s information-as-of date is October 7, 2026. Please be sure to check the listing at the link before you donate.
This article contains affiliate links (advertising). Editorial Policy
Summary
- The size is 300g or 500g, stored frozen, and the best-before is stated as 60 days from manufacture. The application page explains that it is “wakeari” because the cut is momo or kata and cannot be chosen
- Ingredient and allergen labeling, how to thaw, noshi, wrapping, message cards, and the number of servings are not on the application page: Not confirmed
- In reviews, many mention satisfaction in sukiyaki, tenderness, and fat that is not heavy. 2 reviews also mention that the best-before date is close
Related Pages
This article organizes information published on furusato nozei application pages and review sites. Thank-you gift information such as quantity, storage method, and ingredients may change. Please check the application page 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 Furusato Nozei application page for Hida City, Gifu Prefecture; Rakuten reviews (みんなのレビュー); Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan, “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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