Introducing the guests and themes
theme
We asked about the appeal of natural pure rice sake and how to enjoy it.
Disliked Foods
oyster
Guest Biography
After working in the IT industry for over 20 years, he left the corporate world to start Okazake Shoten in Kobe in 2018. With the concept of "supporting natural junmai sake", Okazake Shoten sells natural junmai sake through its online store and in-store, and in addition to offering sake drinking and paid tastings at its stores, it also holds sake pairing and tasting events at its Kobe store and in Tokyo.
What are you aiming for now and what efforts are you making?
He started his business to support small and medium-sized sake breweries in selling their sake overseas, but now, due to the impact of COVID-19, he is focusing on domestic sales. He is particularly passionate about natural pure rice sake, so he specializes in that.
Personal story
What made you get hooked?
I've always loved wine, and when I was surprised to try some cheap, delicious wine in France, a French person told me, "Good wine isn't exported to Japan because the French drink it all. Isn't it the same for sake?" This made an impression on me, and when I was thinking about wanting to try sake, I came across some incredibly delicious sake at a ginjo sake bar.
I can say with confidence that wine lovers will absolutely fall in love with sake. Many people say that white wine is closest to sake, but I like red wine and don't drink white wine, so I would like red wine lovers to try sake.
What's the most memorable happy moment you've experienced since getting hooked?
When he tried sake made from rice he had planted with his daughter at an event organized by Niida Honke in Fukushima, he felt it was on a whole different level of deliciousness. This formative experience led him to start making natural pure rice sake.
What's one failure you've had since getting hooked?
I had heard about it online, so I tried the sake in a paper carton (silver carton), but it still wasn't tasty.
Tips and advice for enjoying the experience
The best thing about having fun
Natural pure rice sake has many different varieties and a wide range, so I try it without any preconceived ideas. If you ask the liquor store, they will recommend something, and sometimes they don't even state that it's made with pesticide-free rice, so I just go to the liquor store.
Getting started and advice
The key is to find one that you find delicious, so try a variety of sakes to find your favorite. I also recommend trying a little at a time at an izakaya that specializes in sake. Okazake Shoten has about 40 varieties for 250 yen a glass.
Recommended shops
YATA, a pure rice sake specialty store (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Nagoya Fushimi, Nagoya KITTE)
You can casually drink various kinds of pure rice sake in a standing bar style.
Recommended ways to enjoy at home
Bitter sake is paired with fried foods and foods covered in sauce such as okonomiyaki, yakisoba, takoyaki, and tonkatsu.
Tempura goes better with rice that has a rich flavor, so the Shizenshu series from Niida Honke goes better with it.
Recommended information content
" Natsuko no Sake " and " Moyashimon " (manga)
Recommended hangover remedies
Drink the same amount of water when drinking sake.
This is also a key point when choosing a restaurant. A restaurant that serves water with sake is a good restaurant.
Warm sake makes you less likely to get a hangover. Warm sake makes you drunk quicker, so you are less likely to drink too much.
Recent trends to watch
A Japanese sake brewed without additives in wooden barrels.
The " Wooden Barrel Craftsman Revival Project " is being undertaken by Yamana Sake Brewery, Niida Honke ,Aramasa Sake Brewery , and others.
Things to keep in mind when enjoying the service
Natural Junmai sake also contributes to the environment, so I hope people will be aware that they are doing a good thing.
Even after you find your favorite drink, your tastes change over time, so be adventurous and try new things, and I hope you'll try out different things in our store with that same attitude.
Guest contact and service information
Oka Sake Shop
Address: Yoshitomo Building 2F, 4-3-11 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/okasake
Instagram: @oka_sake_shop
Youtube: Scheduled for release in April
Regular service
If you can't make it to the store but would like to buy Oka-san's carefully selected alcohol, please use this link!
event
The event will be held once a month in Kobe, and will resume in Tokyo once the coronavirus situation calms down. For more details, please see their social media accounts or here .
A message to enrich your life by enjoying food and drinks
Please enjoy sake while cherishing the feeling of having fun!
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