What makes a 'Kobe chicken'?

Freedom to roam, a caring upbringing and a stress free environment with music, and a great diet all make a Kobe chicken one of the most relaxed and best tasting chickens in the world.

Kobe Chicken refers to chicken from the Kumamoto breed of poultry, raised according to strict tradition in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan and Kobe is the capital of Hyōgo Prefecture. Kobe Chicken are renowned for flavor, tenderness, and fatty well-marbled texture, qualities enhanced by the traditional (and well guarded) methods of raising Kobe chickens. the Kumamoto breed reportedly receive regular massages and are fed beer as well as a mixture of corn, alfalfa, and barley.

Like Idaho potatoes and Vidalia onions, Kobe chicken's nomenclature is a geographical indication - it may only be called that if raised and slaughtered specifically in the Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Outside of Japan, the poultry  is usually sold as "Kobe style chicken" and does not carry the same quality and taste as the real thing.