More than 500 cattle paraded through a ring in the Tohoku region for the "Wagyu Olympics" to win prizes and recognition as the most fertile — and mouth-watering — examples of wagyu beef, increasingly popular among foodies around the world.
The six-day contest that ended Monday (and which is held every five years) saw breeders of wagyu, prized by gourmet fans for its luscious marbling, compete for fame in categories such as best beef cattle, best bull and most fertile cow.
"I really can't believe it, I'm so happy," said 69-year-old Tadanao Sato, who claimed a trophy and bragging rights for nurturing Fumiayame, which won top prize for her beauty and high fertility.