The Wagyu Olympics, also known as Zenkyo, is a unique competition held in Japan every five years. The next event is due to be held 26-30 August 2027 in Hokkaido, one of Japan’s northernmost islands with a UK visit actively being worked on to include two days at the event (Friday & Monday) with Sunday as a free day/other tourist options. A provisional tour of 10-12 days is now being actively worked on. Click HERE for the draft programme. The tour will be Wagyu and agriculture focused and include a number of tourist and city highlights. 

Wagyu Zenkyo Olympics, Obihiro City, Hokkaido, Japan

Thur  26/8/27 AM: Opening Ceremony PM: Judging

Fri   27/8/27 Judging

Sat    28/8/27 Judging

Sun   29/8/27 Judging and Auction (carcase)

Mon   30/8/27 AM: Ending Ceremony, Victory Parade

The island of Hokkaido is a wild and natural landscape offering stunning beauty and a wonderful place for hikers and outdoor people with national parks and walking trails. Agriculture would be a clear focus for our group with the island providing 25% of the total land given over to agriculture in Japan and offering a good mix of production including rice, dairy and crops in addition to Wagyu operations.

There is a bullet train service from Obihiro to Sendai that take 4 hours and transits through the longest underwater tunnel in the world.  This would open up the tour options to Sendai and Tokyo beyond. Along the route we can weave a number of agri visits in so you can experience agriculture across the country. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO RICHARD SAUNDERS info@britishwagyu.co.uk

Here are some fascinating details about the Wagyu Olympics:

1. Purpose and History:

   • The Wagyu Olympics was launched in 1966 to encourage high-quality cattle breeding, promote Wagyu beef both within and outside Japan, and boost tourism

   • The competition aims to identify the best beef in the world by evaluating both breeding cows and carcases

2. Competitive Categories:

   • There are two main categories:

     • Breed Improvement: Judges assess cows based on their size, proportions, and other outwardly visible standards

     • Meat Quality: Carcases are judged on fat quality and content

   • Winning breeders get the opportunity to sell their cattle and carcasses to top restaurants and butchers worldwide at premium prices

3. Auction:

   • At the end of the competition, the best breeding cows and carcasses are sold at auction to the highest bidders in Japan

4. 2027 Event:

   • The next Wagyu Olympics is to take place 26-30 August 2027 in Hokkaido