Kumamoto Waou is a premium brand of Kuroge Wagyu from Kumamoto Prefecture, recognized as a representative product of the region. Only cattle that meet the following criteria are called "Waou": At least 28 months old Achieves the highest grade (Grade 5) or upper Grade 4 in meat quality by the Japan Meat Grading Association Has a Beef Marbling Score (BMS) of 6 or higher on a 12-point scale Raised primarily and originally from Kumamoto Prefecture