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Since living in Japan, I frequently hear people talking about the major cities and tourist spots in Kyushu. Larger cities such as Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Kumamoto seem to get the most airtime in these discussions, however I became intrigued by their lesser known neighbour, Miyazaki. I've lived in Tokyo for two years, and after traveling throughout Japan during that time, I strongly believe that the true heart of Japan lives in the areas less-traveled by tourists. Miyazaki is a region known for its rich natural beauty, and in particular the small town of Kobayashi is a quaint, off-the-beaten-track township with a range of experiences to discover, such as hiking ancient mountains, exploring stunning scenic volcanic gorges, attempting stand-up paddleboarding in azure lakes, and getting a taste of true farmer life with a traditional farmhouse stay. If you're looking for the beating heart of authentic Japan, Kobayashi seems like a beautiful place to start. However, Miyazaki and Kobayashi are mostly known for producing the best beef in the world, thanks to the region's sweeping natural landscapes (in fact, Miyazaki Beef won the best-taste prize at the 2017 Wagyu Olympics!) Since living in Tokyo my husband and I are constantly looking for new recipes to try, and we prefer to attempt those that are somewhat traditional to Japan. Our desire to try new cooking styles has also been exacerbated by the onset of coronavirus, since we now try to cook at home as much as possible. We've attempted ramen, katsu, tempura and omurice, however we wanted try something a little fancy to break up the standard at-home meals. So, we had the opportunity to try the Sirloin Steak Set from one of Kobayashi's most well-known stores, BeefCook. Before even opening the steaks from the packet, it was clear that this was a luxurious cut of meat by the delicate white marbling. I decided that I wanted to cook these steaks medium-rare with mushroom sauce and some small salads on the side. I didn't want too many flavors interfering with the flavor of the meat. After removing the cuts from the packaging I seasoned them with salt. I noticed that the meat was incredibly soft in comparison to the average steak. It really felt like I had to handle them with care! I brought an oiled fry pan to a medium/high heat and allowed both steaks to sizzle on each side for two to three minutes. Once golden on the outside, I removed the steaks from the pan and allowed them to rest as I quickly whipped up a mushroom gravy to accompany them. I don't want to seem dramatic, but this was quite honestly the best cut of meat I had ever had in my life. I even (and I have my husband to support this!) let out a small groan to indicate to my husband how delicious it was. It was so unbelievably soft. There was no chew whatsoever, and I felt like I could have sliced right through it with a butter knife. It melted right in my mouth. The flavor was deep and elegant, mostly due to the perfect marbling. Quite frankly I cannot compare it to any other cut of meat I've ever had before, and I feel as though I cannot go back to standard beef cuts after this. This cut of beef has spoiled me! Paired with the mushroom gravy, hijiki seaweed and a pasta salad, the Miyazaki beef went above and beyond my own expectations. Meat like this, which is obviously produced with a great deal of care and pride from start to finish, would taste incredible paired with almost any side dish or salad. It's because of this level of quality, that very little effort is required to create a standout meal when Miyazaki steaks are the base. We ate our meal in our lounge room overlooking Tokyo Tower, and it felt really special. While at first I was simply excited for what was said to be a great steak, in the end I was left with a great understanding and appreciation of why Kobayashi beef is not only famous throughout Japan, but much of the world. And although it's likely that for the rest of my life, I'll be comparing every steak I encounter to that of Kobayashi, I'm now also looking forward to exploring this famous region of Japan and all it has to offer. This post is supported by Kobayashi City Promotion Company Inc., one of City-Cost's Supporters helping City-Cost bloggers to enjoy life in Japan and engage in new experiences.