Popular on Instagram!Kobataku, a sake evangelist who loves sake and rock music

Takuya Kobayashi, also known as Kobataku, is a public relations officer at Matsugasaki Shoten who poses with a bottle of sake on Instagram every day.

Originally, he was posting recommended sake from liquor stores every day, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, he decided to promote himself as an advertising figure.The image of her blending into the city, posing for herself, and taking selfies with a single-lens reflex camera quickly became a hot topic.

The number of customers coming to the store for Kobataku has increased, and alcohol sales have also increased.A truly Japanese sake promotion team!

Introducing 5 early summer sake recommended by Kobataku along with their signature poses!

Unfortunately, it was raining on the day the photo was taken.While thinking about the postponement of filming, he said, ``I think it looks better in the rain! Fresh greenery and me too!'', a rock-like remark that doesn't bother him about Regent's falling apart. Take a look at the spirit of Kobataku, who is covered in rain, fresh greenery, and muddy waters, as if he were a good man who can handle the rain.

What is Matsugasaki Shoten?

The store is lined with refrigerated cases, and although they are not major or famous, they are full of gems that will make any Japanese sake lover's eyes glaze over.Many of the customers are classmates of the owner, Takuya Kitagawa, when he was a brewing major at Tokyo University of Agriculture, and all of them are sake brewers who are just now reaching their prime.Try some while standing and find your favorite.

There are approximately 200 types of sake and 100 types of wine available.From the evening, you can enjoy standing drinks, and there is also an all-you-can-drink course with over 50 types of sake.

Kobataku's recommended 5 early summer sake selections

■Fukui Prefecture
Koshi no Taka Junmai Ginjo Red Hawk (seasonal sale)
"The underground water that has been refined over many years is super refreshing, like a babbling stream! And it's crisp and dry, so you can gulp it down. The red and white label means it's perfect for auspicious occasions! Or for Shohei Otani's Angels fans, or Hiroshima Carp fans!"

Ito Sake Brewery
1800mi 3,520 yen, 720ml 1,870 yen
Alcohol content 15 degrees
Ingredients: 100% specially cultivated Sakahomare
Rice polishing rate 60%

■ Saga Prefecture
Amabuki Ryuo Ultra Dry (Seasonally limited sale)
``We are a sake brewery that specializes in flower yeast, and this Junmaishu is made using Gekka Bijin yeast.It is super dry with a slight fruitiness, and goes well with light white fish sashimi!The blue bottle also gives it a cool look. Perfect for summer.By the way, ``Hiya Garden'' on the label is a pun on ``Hiya Garden (Beer Garden).''

Amabuki Sake Brewery
1800mi 2,970 yen, 720ml 1,540 yen
Alcohol content 15 degrees
Ingredients: Rice (domestic), Koji (domestic)
Rice polishing rate 60%

■ Shiga Prefecture
Three Stars Namazume Genshu Junmai Ginbubuki
"Kobatsu's favorite apron brewery (lol). It has a rock-like feel. This tri-star is a completely limited edition. The balance of fruit and rice flavor is simply the best! ``Bright flavor and slightly dry'' is something that everyone will like. The label is also cool. We use sake rice from Shiga, Ginbubuki."

Mitomuku Sake Brewery
1800mi 3,025 yen, 720ml 1,513 yen
Alcohol content 17 degrees
Ingredients: 100% “Ginfubuki” from Shiga Prefecture
Rice polishing rate 60%

■ Nara Prefecture
Harushika Junmai Ginjo Namazake (Seasonally limited sale)
"It tastes sweet, but it's not. And it leaves a refreshing aftertaste! The flavor of the rice and the fruit feel, like the skin of a manju, are just like strawberry daifuku? Customers say, ``I tried it, but it's different from strawberry daifuku.'' If so, I'm happy too, because it means that you're interested."

Haruka Sake Brewery
1800mi 3,410 yen, 720ml 1,760 yen
Alcohol content 15 degrees
Ingredients: Rice (domestic), Koji (domestic)
Rice polishing rate 60%

■ Kyoto Prefecture
Kyoto Spring Junmai Raw Sake Summer Cloudy
"Nigori sake made by a female brewer from the fishing town of Ine. However, it has a refreshing and delicate flavor that tastes like a green apple, making it very popular among girls! It has a slightly gassy taste, similar to a certain lactic acid drink. Of course, you can enjoy it chilled. We also recommend lukewarm sake. Be careful as it may squirt out if you accidentally open the stopper."

Mukai brewing
1800mi 3,630 yen, 720ml 1,870 yen
Alcohol content 16 degrees
Ingredients: 100% “Kyo no Hikaru” from Kyoto Prefecture
Rice polishing rate 67%

Summary

Sake selection tends to be tied down to knowledge and formality.But if you see a recommendation for Kobataku on Instagram, you'll probably think, ``This looks interesting, I might give it a try.''He uses specific examples to describe the flavors, and tries to make them easy to understand. ``The best thing is to have people enjoy drinking and not think about anything,'' says Kobataku, as he goes out for a photo shoot by himself today with a sho bottle in hand.