“Yatsushiro City” in this thank-you gift’s name is the municipality that accepts the donation, not the origin of the beef tongue used as the raw material. The ingredient list shows beef tongue (offal) with origins listed as Poland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and others, so the raw material is imported. The listing also says the origin may change depending on sourcing. As for the processing done in Japan, the listing says that at a meat processing plant in Yatsushiro, the following are carried out: sourcing of raw materials, marinating in salt sauce, sinew cutting, tenderizing treatment, and packing. This article covers the frozen “wakeari” (imperfect/irregular, sold at a discount) beef tongue (marinated in salt sauce) on the Rakuten Furusato Nozei listing (*furusato nozei* is Japan’s hometown tax donation program), where you choose the thickness (thick-cut, thin-cut, or tasting set) and the amount (500g to 2kg). It organizes five points to check before choosing: amount, shelf life, ingredient labeling, suitability as a gift, and reviews.
What We Confirmed
- Amount and number of 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 listing page. However, the “not confirmed” labels and any notes we add are our own.
| Product Name | Wakeari Beef Tongue 500g–2kg, Choose Your Amount, Shipping Month, and Delivery Frequency (Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto – Furusato Nozei)The product name shown on Rakuten is longer than this. Only the product-name part is shown here. The shop places “令和8年熊本地震復興支援” (Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake Reconstruction Support) at the start of the product name (the shop’s own wording). |
|---|---|
| Name | Wakeari beef tongue, marinated in salt sauce, 500g–2kg (tenderized), beef tongueSource: thank-you gift description field of the Rakuten Furusato Nozei listing page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Amount | You choose the thickness, amount, and combination. Thick-cut (about 1cm) comes as 500g (500g × 1 pack) / 1kg (500g × 2 packs) / 1.5kg (500g × 3 packs) / 2kg (500g × 4 packs). Thin-cut (about 2.5mm) comes as 500g (250g × 2 packs) / 1kg (250g × 4 packs) / 1.5kg (250g × 6 packs) / 2kg (250g × 8 packs). The tasting set (both cuts together) comes as 1kg (thick-cut 500g × 1 pack + thin-cut 250g × 2 packs) / 2kg (thick-cut 500g × 2 packs + thin-cut 250g × 4 packs). The number of servings is not stated, so it is not confirmed. A guidance image inside the listing page gives freezer storage-space guidelines: one pack of thick-cut (about 500g) is about 30cm wide × 38cm tall × 1cm thick, and one pack of thin-cut (about 250g) is about 20cm wide × 15cm tall × 3cm thick (the shop’s own wording)Source: thank-you gift description field and guidance image of the listing page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| What Changes by Selection | Four things: thickness (thick-cut, thin-cut, tasting set), amount, shipping timing (earliest shipping, November 2026, December 2026), and shipping frequency (single shipment, 3-shipment regular delivery). The tasting set comes only in 1kg and 2kg. On the listing page’s selection field, a regular delivery could be confirmed for only three options (thick-cut 500g, thin-cut 500g, and tasting set 1kg); for the other amounts, regular delivery is mentioned only in the product description. The combinations in the selection field may change on the listing pageSource: selection field and product description of the listing page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Reason for Wakeari | The product description says it is sold as a wakeari item because the shapes vary. We could not find any other reason statedSource: product description on the listing page |
| Donation Amount | It differs by the thickness, amount, and shipping timing you choose. This article does not list amounts, so please check the selection field on the listing page before applyingSource: selection field of the listing page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Storage Method | Frozen. It states that the product must be kept frozen (−18°C or below). It also states that you should store it in the freezer on arrival, and that refreezing it once thawed may lower its qualitySource: thank-you gift description field and notes of the listing page |
| Best-Before Date | 365 days from the date of manufactureSource: thank-you gift description field of the listing page |
| Thawing Method | No specific steps are stated, so this is not confirmed. The notes say to refer to the recipe enclosed with the productSource: notes on the listing page |
| After Opening | We could not find a statement on how long it keeps after thawing or opening, so this is not confirmed. |
| Raw Material Origin | Beef tongue (imported). The ingredients field lists “ポーランド産、アイルランド産、イギリス産、デンマーク産、他” (Poland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and others); the country names behind “others” are not stated, so they are not confirmed. The listing states that the origin may change depending on sourcingSource: thank-you gift description field of the listing page |
| Place of Processing | Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture (place of manufacture). The listing states that at a meat processing plant in Yatsushiro City, the steps from sourcing raw materials through marinating in salt sauce, sinew cutting, tenderizing treatment, and packing are carried out. The location of the plant itself is not stated, so it is not confirmed.Source: thank-you gift description field and product description of the listing page |
| Cut (Part of the Animal) | The listing page does not state which part of the animal is used, so this is not confirmed. |
| State / How to Eat (Whether Cooking Is Required) | The listing says it is frozen and packed marinated in salt sauce. The product description gives instructions to grill it in a frying pan or on a hot plate, and a guidance image gives instructions to cut thick-cut pieces into bite-size pieces before grilling. We could not find guidance on whether cooking is required or whether it can be eaten raw, so this is not confirmed. A guidance image states that, because the tongue is marinated in salt sauce, it may look brown, and that this is not a quality problem (the shop’s own statement, not a fact Ochinity has verified)Source: product description and guidance image on the listing page |
| Shipping | Frozen. The listing states that a specified delivery date is not accepted. To maintain quality, delivery to a delivery box and requests for it are said to be not accepted. The delivery company is not stated, so it is not confirmed.Source: product description and notes on the listing page |
| Shipping Timing | The selection field showed shipping within 3 to 5 business days at the earliest after donation confirmation, shipping in November 2026, and shipping in December 2026. For the 3-shipment regular delivery, the first shipment goes out the month after payment is confirmed, for 3 shipments in total. The listing says timing may vary with weather and shipping conditions. The start of the product description says it may take longer than usual because of the earthquake (as of October 7, 2026). The displayed shipping timing may changeSource: selection field and product description of the Rakuten Furusato Nozei listing page (viewed October 7, 2026) |
| Manufacturer | The provider is サン・ビーフ株式会社. Its address is not stated, and whether it is the manufacturer, processor, or seller is not confirmed.Source: provider listed in the thank-you gift description field of the listing page |
| Shop | Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Rakuten Furusato Nozei) |
Donation amounts may differ by portal and may change. Please check the latest donation amount and availability at the link above.
The “令和8年熊本地震復興支援” (Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake Reconstruction Support) at the start of the product name is wording the shop added. The product description on the listing page contains no explanation of how donations are used or what the support involves, and this article has not verified it. Because the listing says shipping may be later than usual, if you have a preferred timing, check the selection field and notes on the listing page before applying.
Ingredients and Allergen Labeling
The beef tongue used as the raw material is imported. According to the listing, the work done in Japan includes marinating in salt sauce, sinew cutting, tenderizing treatment, and packing at a meat processing plant in Yatsushiro City. The ingredient label is the same for thick-cut and thin-cut, as shown below.
| Type | Ingredient label as shown |
|---|---|
| Thick-cut beef tongue | 牛内臓肉舌 (beef tongue: Poland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and others), 食塩 (salt) / pH調整剤 (pH adjuster) (※一部に牛肉を含む: contains beef as part of the ingredients) |
| Thin-cut beef tongue | 牛内臓肉舌 (beef tongue: Poland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and others), 食塩 (salt) / pH調整剤 (pH adjuster) (※一部に牛肉を含む: contains beef as part of the ingredients) |
Source: thank-you gift description field of the listing page (viewed October 7, 2026). The listing states that the origin may change depending on sourcing.
On allergen labeling, the listing’s “allergy” field says beef, which matches the parenthetical at the end of the ingredient list (contains beef as part of the ingredients); we found no discrepancy. Whether any specified allergens other than beef are present cannot be confirmed within the scope of the listing page.
If you are concerned about allergies, be sure to 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 Product | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Amount and Number of Servings | Choose from 500g to 2kg for thick-cut and thin-cut, and 1kg or 2kg for the tasting set. The number of servings is not stated. You also choose the shipping timing (earliest, November, December) and shipping frequency (single, 3-shipment regular delivery) | Thank-you gift description field and selection field of the Rakuten Furusato Nozei listing page |
| 2. Storage Method and Shelf Life | Frozen (−18°C or below). The best-before date is 365 days from the date of manufacture. The thawing method and how long it keeps after thawing are not confirmed | Thank-you gift description field and notes of the listing page |
| 3. Ingredients and Allergen Labeling | The beef tongue is imported (the country names behind “others” are not confirmed). Processing is in Yatsushiro City. The allergen label says beef | Thank-you gift description field of the listing page |
| 4. Suitable as a Gift | Noshi (gift wrapping label), wrapping, and message cards are not confirmed. The listing says a specified delivery date is not accepted | Listing page (nothing stated in the noshi, wrapping, and message card fields; the notes say a specified delivery date is not accepted) |
| 5. Review Trends | Rakuten Ichiba’s rating is 4.29 out of 5 (2,202 reviews). We read the first 60 reviews in Rakuten’s default order (posted October 2025 to October 2026, latest in October 2026), plus 30 reviews at 1★ (posted June 2025 to July 2026) and 30 reviews at 2★ (posted December 2024 to September 2026). The 30 reviews each at 1★ and 2★ were read from newest first and do not represent the overall distribution. The following reflects trends within what we read and does not necessarily represent the product’s current state. Many comments mention the thickness, the satisfying bite, and that it is tender despite being thick, while reviews at 1★ and 2★ often mention odor and toughness | Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 7, 2026) |
Suitable as a Gift?
We could not find any statement on the listing page about whether noshi is supported or the type of inscription, wrapping, or message cards (source: Rakuten Furusato Nozei listing page, viewed October 7, 2026).
- Noshi: whether it is supported and the type of inscription are not confirmed.
- Wrapping / gift box: not confirmed.
- Message card / name printing: not confirmed.
- Delivery address: we could not find a statement on whether it can be delivered to an address other than the donor’s (not confirmed)
- Shipping: frozen; the listing states that a specified delivery date is not accepted. Delivery to a delivery box is also said to be not accepted
The listing states that it will not be reshipped if you cannot receive it because of the donor’s circumstances, such as a long absence; that if the gift has serious damage such as spoilage, you should contact them by email with photos within 5 days of arrival; and that cancellation of the donation application and changes or returns of the gift are not possible. If you plan to use it as a gift, check how noshi, wrapping, and the delivery address are handled on the listing page before applying.
What Public Reviews Say
Below is a summary of Rakuten Ichiba product reviews, organized by viewpoint. The rating figures are as of when we viewed them and will change afterward. The following reflects trends within what we read and does not necessarily represent the product’s current state.
| Site | Rating | Reviews | Viewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten customer reviews (product page) | 4.29 / 5 | 2,202 | October 7, 2026 |
Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,382 / 4★ 468 / 3★ 113 / 2★ 78 / 1★ 161 (as shown on Rakuten Ichiba; viewed October 7, 2026)
What we read: the first 60 reviews in the default order (posted October 2025 to October 2026, latest in October 2026), 30 reviews filtered to 1★ (out of 161; posted June 2025 to July 2026), and 30 reviews filtered to 2★ (out of 78; posted December 2024 to September 2026), 120 in total. The 1★ and 2★ reviews are only a partial selection read from newest first and do not represent the overall proportions.
Overall, 5★ accounts for about 63% (1,382 of 2,202), and 1★ and 2★ together total 239 (about 11%). The review section also contains posts about past options that are not in the specifications on the current listing page. Posts that appear to be from people who had not yet eaten it, and posts that touch only on delivery or the shop’s service, are excluded from the viewpoint counts. Several posts give support for the disaster-affected area as a reason for applying, but since this is not an evaluation of the product, they are not included in the counts.
What Reviewers Praise
Thickness and satisfying bite
About 12 of the 60 reviews in the default order mentioned that it is thick, satisfying, or generous in volume (all posted within the last 2 years).
Thick yet tender
About 10 of the 60 reviews in the default order mentioned that it is tender or easy to bite through despite being thick (8 at 5★ and 2 at 4★). 2 of these also said there was no odor.
Small portions and slits
About 4 of the 60 reviews in the default order said that, because the packs are vacuum-sealed, thin, and flat, it is easy to store in small portions. 3 posts said the slits make it easier to eat and grill, and 3 posts said that, since it is thick, cutting it in half makes it easier to eat.
Repeat orders
About 18 of the 60 reviews in the default order said they order again or apply every year (mostly 5★).
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (accessed October 7, 2026)
What Reviewers Note
The counts here are out of the 60 reviews read at 1★ and 2★ only, newest first. The 30 reviews at 1★ were posted June 2025 to July 2026 and the 30 at 2★ December 2024 to September 2026; they do not represent the distribution of all 239 reviews.
Odor or smell bothers them
About 28 of the 60 reviews at 1★ and 2★ (about 16 at 1★ and about 12 at 2★; all posted within the last 2 years) said they noticed an off smell or gamey odor. About 8 of these said that only the thin-cut (including the thin-cut side of the tasting set) smelled, while the thick-cut was delicious. Among the 60 reviews in the default order, 1 review at 4★ said they noticed an odor and 2 reviews said there was no odor, so opinions are split.
How to check: the differences between thick-cut, thin-cut, and the tasting set, and the amounts, are summarized in the “Amount” row of “Basic Information” in this article.
Toughness or hard to bite
About 20 of the 60 reviews at 1★ and 2★ (about 9 at 1★ and about 11 at 2★; all posted within the last 2 years) said it was tough, hard to bite through, or had noticeable sinew. These include posts saying it is tough because it is thick, or that it is hard to eat unless cut. On the other hand, about 10 of the 60 reviews in the default order said it is tender despite being thick, so opinions are split.
The raw material being imported
About 6 of the 60 reviews at 1★ and 2★ (about 4 at 1★ and about 2 at 2★) said they were disappointed, or that it was not what they expected, after learning on arrival that the raw material is foreign-grown.
How to check: the origin of the raw material is described in the lead paragraph of this article and in the “Raw Material Origin” row of “Basic Information”.
In addition, about 6 posts said it had a lot of drip (liquid) or fat, about 5 posts said it was weighted toward the tip or that the lower tier of the pack held small scraps, and about 3 posts said the thick-cut was thinner than expected. The listing page gives no measured values for the cut or the thickness, so we only present these as individual posters’ comments.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (accessed October 7, 2026)
Who It Suits / Who Should Be Careful
Who It Suits
- You want to enjoy beef tongue and choose the thickness from thick-cut (about 1cm), thin-cut (about 2.5mm), or the tasting set
- You want to choose the amount from 500g to 2kg
- You can accept a thank-you gift that arrives frozen
- You can choose it knowing that a specified delivery date is not available
Who Should Be Careful
- You want to confirm that the raw material is imported before deciding (the country names behind “others” are not confirmed)
- You are bothered by odor or toughness in meat (comments pointing this out were frequent among the 1★ and 2★ reviews we read)
- You have a beef allergy (guidance on whether cooking is required is not found)
- You want to know the thawing method and shelf life after thawing before deciding (not confirmed)
- You want to give it as a gift with noshi, wrapping, or message cards (not confirmed)
- You want to know the number of servings before deciding (not stated)
- You have a preferred shipping timing (the listing says it may be later than usual because of the earthquake)
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
- You choose the thickness (thick-cut, thin-cut, tasting set), the amount (500g to 2kg), the shipping timing, and the shipping frequency. It is stored frozen (−18°C or below), and the best-before date is stated as 365 days from manufacture. The raw material beef tongue is imported, and the country names behind “others” are not confirmed
- The thawing method, shelf life after thawing, whether cooking is required, the cut, and noshi / wrapping / message cards are not confirmed. The allergen label says beef. The listing says shipping may be later than usual because of the earthquake
- Among the 60 reviews in the default order, many comments mention thickness, a satisfying bite, and being tender despite being thick, while the 60 reviews read at 1★ and 2★ often mention odor (about 28) and toughness (about 20). Opinions are split (these are trends within what we read and do not necessarily represent the product’s current state)
Related Pages
This article organizes information published on furusato nozei listing pages and review sites. Thank-you gift information such as the amount, storage method, and ingredients may change. Please check the 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 Furusato Nozei “熊本県八代市” (Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto) listing page, Rakuten customer reviews, 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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