When you travel to Tokyo, one of the world’s greatest cities for food, you are no doubt searching for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Japan offers countless delicacies – sushi, tempura, ramen – but reigning at the pinnacle of its cuisine is Wagyu.
The name “Kobe Beef,” in particular, is renowned among gourmands worldwide.
However, if you are a true seeker of extraordinary food, we must let you in on a secret: a “Legendary Wagyu” exists that is even rarer and holds a deeper history than Kobe beef itself.
In this blog, we will unveil the identity of this legend and reveal the one and only place in the heart of Tokyo where you can experience this miracle for yourself.
What is the World-Famous Kobe Beef?
There are strict reasons why Kobe Beef is celebrated as the world’s finest beef.
The title of “Kobe Beef” is granted only to those cattle that have cleared a series of exacting standards from within the elite “Tajima-gyu” bloodline, produced in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture.
These criteria are extensive, covering everything from the degree of marbling (a BMS score of No. 6 or higher) to meat quality grades and weight limits.
They are, without question, the chosen elite.
The texture of the meat, with its delicate, low-melting-point sashi (marbling) intricately woven throughout the muscle, is so fine it melts on your tongue.
The sweet, rich aroma and the elegant, clean finish of its flavor have captivated people for decades.
Kobe Beef is the symbol of Wagyu’s “art of marbling” and has established its status as a global brand. This is an undeniable fact.
The Legend of Takenotani Tsuru Ushi: A Rarity Beyond Kobe
So, what is this Wagyu that possesses a rarity even greater than that of Kobe? The answer is the Takenotani Tsuru Ushi.
It is likely the first time you have heard this name. That is because the Takenotani Tsuru Ushi is a “Phantom Wagyu,” an entity that has all but vanished from the modern market.
Its history is even older than Kobe’s, stretching back to 1830 in the Edo period.
Born in what is now Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, this cattle is known as the oldest Tsuru-ushi among Japan’s distinguished Wagyu bloodlines.
A Tsuru-ushi is a superior lineage whose exceptional traits – such as physique, fertility, and disposition – are passed down through generations with the certainty of a vine (tsuru) bearing fruit. Due to its robust build and high fertility, the Takenotani Tsuru Ushi spread across Japan and became a cornerstone of modern Kuroge Wagyu – in other words, it is one of the very roots of the Wagyu you know today.
Why, then, did such a historically significant cattle become a “phantom”?
The answer lies in its meat. While the modern market has crowned the heavy marbling (sashi) of breeds like Kobe as the pinnacle of quality, the true value of the Takenotani Tsuru Ushi lies in the powerful and deep umami of its lean red meat (akami).
With a flavor that deepens and intensifies with every chew, revealing a rich, almost iron-like minerality, its quality could not be measured by marbling-focused standards.
As a result, its production numbers plummeted, dwindling at one point to a mere 10 head, bringing it to the brink of extinction. Today, it is said that fewer than 100 purebreds exist in all of Japan, with an annual production of less than 20 animals. This is the ultimate rarity that even Kobe Beef cannot match.
Ibusana Ushi: A Union of Tradition and Innovation
“Is it possible, then, to taste the powerful red meat umami of a historic Tsuru-ushi and the melt-in-your-mouth magic of modern marbling at the same time?” The answer to this ultimate question was born in the form of Ibusana Ushi.
Ibusana Ushi is a one-of-a-kind hybrid Wagyu, sired by a Takenotani Tsuru Ushi bull – the embodiment of Wagyu’s history – and born from a dam of the highest-quality modern Kuroge Wagyu lineage.
Its purpose is singular: to achieve a perfect harmony between the wild, rich umami of the Tsuru Ushi’s lean meat and the delicate, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth fat of modern Wagyu.
It is a grand endeavor to fuse the history of Wagyu with its present. The result is a miraculous beef with a perfect balance of marbling throughout its lean meat, offering a profound flavor without being overwhelmingly rich. This is Ibusana Ushi – a beef that carries the story of the Takenotani Tsuru Ushi while satisfying the most discerning of modern palates.
Savor the Legend in Sangubashi, the Heart of Tokyo
You might think that to taste such a rare beef, you would need to travel to a remote, hidden restaurant in the Japanese countryside. But you don’t.
This legendary Wagyu experience awaits you just two stops by train from Shinjuku, the very heart of Tokyo.
Board the Odakyu Line, and in a few short minutes, you will leave the bustle of Shinjuku behind. Welcome to Sangubashi, a calm and sophisticated neighborhood adjacent to the lush greenery of Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Shrine.
This is where we have made our home. Despite its proximity to a massive terminal station, the town has a tranquil and refined atmosphere, making it a hidden gem and the perfect setting to truly focus on the taste of “Phantom Wagyu.” Even within a tight travel schedule, you can access the very soul of Japan’s food culture efficiently and profoundly.
That is the experience that awaits you here in Sangubashi.
Welcome to WAGYU YAKINIKU IBUSANA
We, WAGYU YAKINIKU IBUSANA, are the only specialty yakiniku restaurant in Japan dedicated to serving both the Takenotani Tsuru Ushi and its direct descendant, the Ibusana Gyu.
Our mission is not simply to serve delicious beef. It is to provide an experience where you can taste the true story of Wagyu, its history, and the passion of its producers, all in a single dish. For this reason, our menu changes daily. We post the day’s offerings on the blackboard in our restaurant to ensure we are always serving the very best cuts in their ideal condition.
Please leave the delicate cooking process to our expert staff. We make no compromises in ensuring you can encounter this rare beef at its absolute best. A steak so perfect it needs only a pinch of salt. Thinly sliced yakiniku that reveals a completely new expression with our special sauce.
The subtle differences in flavor from one cut to the next. This is an ichigo ichie – a once-in-a-lifetime encounter that can never be replicated.
If you are seeking not just a meal, but a story you will never forget, we invite you to open our door. Allow us to help you create the memory of a lifetime with this legendary Wagyu. We look forward to welcoming you.
Reservation & Information
Experience the legend for yourself. For a special evening and an unforgettable meal, you can make a reservation through the link below.
Reserve Here: https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/ibusana/reserve
WAGYU YAKINIKU IBUSANA
Address: 1F 4-10-7 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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