Agave Spirits Gallery KIN'EMON(金右衛門)

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Media Coverage

Listed on Wikipedia

Wikipedia(ウィキペディア)掲載時の画面イメージ

We were surprised to hear that our gallery is listed on Wikipedia.
A magazine editor told us about this.
It is the first time for a liquor store to be featured on Wikipedia.

We are getting a lot of attention
from the press!

  • Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition
    (April 2025)

    We were featured as a hidden gem in the Osu shopping district.
    We were truly honored to be given such a large spotlight.
    The article also shares the story of how our owner, Koike, established this specialty shop.
    We were thrilled to see so many people visit us after reading the article!

  • Monthly EXILE, December issue
      -2021

    In the column of tequila enthusiast "USA," we assisted him in the project he launched.
    We were thrilled that he thanked us for this opportunity and introduced our gallery in the article.

  • BRUTUS (Published by Magazine House)
    November 15 issue(2021)

    We received a request for cooperation from the editorial board. We helped them with the listing of products to be featured on the tequila and mezcal pages of the "Hard Liquor Encyclopedia" feature article, and arranged for the products to be photographed.
    The magazine features famous stores and major names in the spirits industry from all over Japan, and our gallery was introduced as the only one of its kind in Japan.

  • FM Aichi
    Food Specialty Program
    FOOD STYLE NAVIGATION
    (Broadcasting in 2022)

    This is a well-known program that delivers "energy through food" under the theme of "FOOD." The program personalities are Rina Sawai, a TV personality, and Toshinori Kamiya, a super architectural designer with many successful achievements. They came all the way to our gallery for the recording. We talked a lot about the gallery and liquor.

  • 5 o'clock STAR by TV Aichi
    (Broadcasting in 2020)

    Our gallery was introduced as the only store in Japan.
    A tequila brand produced by an American Hollywood celebrity was introduced. Viewers interested in Mexican spirits came to the store to try a sample. The impact of the TV program was amazing.

  • "Vintage Life Stories"
    by Hisami Inaba on FM Aichi
    (Broadcast in 2022)

    It’s a wonderful program that invites entrepreneurs, cultural figures, and celebrities active in the Tokai region as guests, exploring their life stories through conversations about their work, hobbies, and memories.
    I had the pleasure of talking about Digital Dive, my passion for alcoholic beverages, and my personal journey.

Our Buyers
& Pro-Tasters

Koike Masato

Certifications and Titles
President & CEO, Digital Dive Inc.
Owner, Digital Hollywood STUDIO Nagoya
Proprietor, Sake Merchant Kinueimon
Owner, Agave Spirits Gallery

A Spirits Evangelist who also works as a professional instructor specializing in distilled spirits.
A true agave lover with a passion for visiting distilleries in Mexico.
Well-known as an avid collector of agave spirits, he opened the Agave Spirits Gallery in 2020 to showcase his personal collection year-round.
As of 2022, it holds the largest agave spirits display in Japan.

※Source: Free encyclopedia “Wikipedia”

Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) Judge
He serves as an official judge at the largest spirits competition in Asia and the only one in Japan, evaluating whiskies and spirits from around the world.

  • ・President of the Spirits Evangelist Association
  • ・Certified Instructor by the FBO (Federation of Food and Beverage Professionals)
  • ・Instructor for the FBO-certified Spirits Navigator Certification Course
  • ・Instructor, Chunichi Culture Center Sakae
  • ・Instructor, Narumi Chunichi Culture Center
  • ・Certified Spirits Advisor by FBO
  • ・TEQUILA MAESTRO certified by the Japan Tequila Association
  • ・MEZCALRERO (Tokyo, 15th Class) certified by the Japan Mezcal Association
  • ・Rum Concierge (Tokyo, 9th Class) certified by the Japan Rum Association
  • ・Certified Cachaça Concierge by the Japan Cachaça Association
  • ・Top Mexican Distilled Spirits Collector in Japan
  • ・Other qualifications include UK WSET certifications and Australian Government Wine Certification, among others.

Kazuko Koike

Certifications and Titles
Representative Director of Digital Dive Inc.
Professional Taster of Wine and Sake

After serving as a wine instructor and a Japanese sake exam preparation lecturer at a prestigious wine school, I began working as both a producer in the alcoholic beverage industry and a professional taster.
For many years, I have also been actively engaged in promoting the appeal of wine through my role as a certified instructor for the Wine Certification Program offered by the Japan Sommelier Association.

I strongly believe in the value of visiting the field in person. Each year, I travel to wine regions across France and other renowned production areas to connect with producers and artisans, gaining insight into the latest developments and technologies in the world of beverages.

In the field of sake, I have established a strong reputation as a discerning taster, having served as a judge at national evaluation events and competitions throughout Japan.
In recent years, I have obtained the TEQUILA MAESTRO certification from the Japan Tequila Association and the Rum Concierge certification from the Japan Rum Association. Drawing upon my experience as a professional taster in wine and sake, I have applied my skills to the world of distilled spirits—developing a tasting approach that is uniquely my own.

Judge, Shochu & Awamori Division, Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)
Judge, Japan Women’s SAKE Award – Bishu Competition

  • ・Wine Evangelist (the only Japanese holder of this title)
  • ・Commandeur, Conseil des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, France
  • ・Wine Expert, certified by the Japan Sommelier Association
  • ・Certified Instructor, Wine Certification Program, Japan Sommelier Association
  • ・SAKE DIPLOMA, Japan Sommelier Association
  • ・Certified Instructor, FBO (Federation of Food and Beverage Professionals)
  • ・Lecturer in Sake Studies, certified by SSI
  • ・Kikisake-shi (Sake Sommelier), certified by SSI
  • ・Shochu Kikisake-shi (Shochu Sommelier), certified by SSI
  • ・Certified Sake Quality Appraiser / Shochu Quality Appraiser, certified by SSI
  • ・TEQUILA MAESTRO, certified by the Japan Tequila Association
  • ・Rum Concierge, certified by the Japan Rum Association
  • Teaching Experience:
  • Current:
  • ・Certified Wine Instructor, Japan Sommelier Association
  • ・Wine Instructor, Meitetsu Culture School
  • ・In-house Taster and Seminar Lecturer, Sake Merchant Kinueimon
  • Until 2022:
  • ・Wine and Sake Instructor, Académie du Vin Nagoya
  • ・Sake Instructor, Académie du Vin Osaka

In addition to teaching, I write tasting notes upon request from sake breweries and have served as a judge at numerous national tasting events, including:

  • ・The World Kikisake-shi Competition
  • ・Delicious Sake Awards Using Wine Glasses
  • ・National Warmed Sake Contest