Traveling Solo - Japan (9)

Day 7:  If you read the #2 post to this series, you will notice I did a 180 change to my original plan.  It all started from a conversation over Kobe beef.  The more I thought the more I can't let myself pass on Kobe beef when I am only 30 minutes away from Kobe.  Cost was my #1 issue since real Kobe beef is really EXPENSIVE!

Plaisir

Did you know that Kobe beef is only sold within Japan prior to February 2012?  Outside of Japan, you can only find authentic Kobe beef in Hong Kong, Macau, and the US.  (USDA only relaxed the Japanese beef importation as of August 27, 2012)  The Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association actually monitors how many kilograms of beef was exported and who bought it here.