[Foot spa & shisha SAKE BAR KYOTO] has just opened in Kawaramachi, Kyoto. It offers a new style of relaxation that has never been seen before, where you can relax in a foot bath and shisha while enjoying authentic Japanese sake. The ambassador is former Shinsengumi Lien Seki. We spoke to Seki about his own thoughts on sake and Japanese culture.

I spoke to this person

Singer and talent Yoshiya Seki

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Born on April 1989, 4. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Shiga University. While still a student, she debuted as a member of the five-member idol group "Shinsengumi Lien," produced by Shinsuke Shimada, and served as its leader. After the group disbanded, she has been active in many areas, including performing live in Japan and overseas, writing lyrics and composing music, hosting, and modeling.

1. Started with the desire to spread awareness of sake

-While you were working in the entertainment industry, what made you decide to become an ambassador for this bar?

Seki-san: "The group Shinsengumi Lien was originally formed with the goal of reviving the popularity of tourism in Kyoto. From the moment we debuted, we wanted to enliven Kyoto and let as many people as possible know about its culture. Also, when I went overseas for work, everyone said they really loved Japan, and especially wanted to go to Kyoto. So when I was thinking about how I wanted to create a place where people from overseas, and of course Japanese people, could enjoy Kyoto, the other owner approached me and we decided to open a store together."

-Your drink menu is very extensive, including not only sake and beer, but also popular Japanese whiskey, Kyoto craft gin, wine, shochu, etc. What is the reason for your particular focus on sake?

Seki-san: "Speaking of Kyoto, Fushimi sake is famous. When I was coming up with the concept for the store, I had the opportunity to attend an event at "Sake World × WORLD KYOTO". When I met the sake brewers there and heard their thoughts about sake, I felt like I had found my purpose! It was as if we had made a big step forward overnight, drawn to each other. It made me want to let more people know about the amazing culture of sake."

The sake lineup includes over 10 carefully selected varieties, including premium brands such as Dassai, Kubota, and Shinkame, with a focus on local Kyoto sake. There are also low-alcohol varieties and slightly sweet, gentle-tasting sakes, making this a lineup that women who want to try sake for the first time can easily enjoy.

2 Enjoy the ultimate chill time with sake, foot baths and shisha

—A foot bath at a bar is a really interesting idea!

Seki-san: "We wondered what would be the best way to relax for people who are traveling. Everyone's feet get tired from walking around while sightseeing. So we prepared a foot bath so that people can refresh themselves and enjoy the ultimate chill time. You can also take home the special towel that comes with the set as a memento."

--You can even enjoy shisha here.

Seki-san: "Shisha is especially popular among foreigners, who enjoy it as a form of relaxation. The flavor I particularly recommend is "Wabi-Sabi (Kyoto Mix)," which is available in five flavors, including non-nicotine. Shisha can also be shared among a group."

—What kind of food is on the menu?

Seki-san: "We have a selection of snacks that go well with sake. We have a variety of side dishes ordered from a Gion obanzai restaurant, such as an assortment of Kyoto pickles, a 3-kind snack platter, Chikuzenni, and oden. Each dish starts at 660 yen. We also offer an all-you-can-eat cup noodles and snack service. Cup noodles are a rare sight, especially for foreigners, so they are very happy with it."

Relaxing in a foot bath while smoking shisha and tasting selected Japanese sake is an experience you can only have here. You can relax while feeling the atmosphere of Kyoto, so it seems to be the perfect place for tourists as well as those who are tired from daily work.

●Time charge: 45 yen for 715 minutes ●Foot bath set: 825 yen ●Shisha: 1 yen

 3. Seki's three recommended sakes

Kankura Junmaishu Unfiltered Unpasteurized 90ml 990 yen
Matsui Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Prefecture), alcohol content 15%, rice polishing ratio 65%
This Junmai sake, with its beautiful blue bottle, combines juicy fruity aromas and delicious flavors. It is made using 100% Kyoto-grown sake-brewing rice, "Iwai."

Seki: "When I tried it for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised and thought, 'Is this really sake?' It felt like I had encountered a new drink, and it completely overturned my image of sake. It has a smooth texture, yet rich. It's an addictive drink that will make you want to drink glass after glass."

Joyo Special Junmaishu 90ml 880 yen
Joyo Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Prefecture), alcohol content 15%, rice polishing ratio 60%
Made with 100% Kyoto-grown "Iwai" rice, which is perfect for sake brewing. It is unfiltered, so you can enjoy the original flavor of the sake. It has the umami and moderate acidity that only Iwai rice can provide, making it perfect to drink with a meal.

Seki-san: "This sake is not made in Fushimi, but in Joyo, and I chose it because they say that even in Kyoto, the taste of sake changes depending on the water used. It has a good balance of sourness and sweetness, and is refreshing and easy to drink. I think it's a sake that anyone can say is delicious."

Tamanohikari Junmai Daiginjo Aged Silver 90ml 1,100 yen
Tamanohikari Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Kyoto Prefecture), alcohol content 16%, rice polishing ratio 50%
Made from 100% "Omachi," the original sake rice, this luxurious Junmai Daiginjo sake is slowly aged at low temperature for a mellow, deep flavor.

Seki: "It has just the right amount of aging, and is perfect for sake lovers. It's a drink that connoisseurs will love."

You can take home the original masu with the logo on it, which would make a great souvenir. When you pour sake into the special glass, cherry blossoms bloom, which is a very stylish touch.

4. My mission is to spread Japanese culture

—Finally, please tell us your future prospects.
Seki-san: "I hope that through this opportunity, people from overseas will come to love Japan and Kyoto even more. I want to keep Japanese culture alive and spread the word about Japanese culture from this shop. I think that is my mission as a former Shinsengumi Lien. I also want people to discover truly delicious sake, and learn that Kyoto has so many sake breweries and that they can enjoy great sake."

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Writer/Sake Master Eriko Fujita
Expand your world to a sake specialty store in Osaka and encounter a variety of sake and sake breweries. Favorite sakes are Akishika, Ohgi, and others.
Other than drinking, my hobbies include collecting minerals and raising swallowtail butterflies.