Miku Tanaka Reveals Favorite Drink Is Kumamoto’s Hakutake Shiro Rice Shochu

“I want to be cried at by girls.”

— This shoot was done at a hotel facing Kujukuri Beach in Chiba Prefecture, right?

“It was on a day of heavy rain in early April, and it was super cold—but I gave it my all! A group of high school boys and girls were staying at the same hotel too, and it looked like they were there for a club training camp. I joined HKT48 when I was in sixth grade, so during junior and senior high school, I prioritized being an idol over joining clubs. Seeing those students made me feel like I was witnessing the kind of ‘normal high school youth’ I never got to experience. I couldn’t help but watch them with envy,” she says, laughing.

— Was there a club you would’ve liked to join?

“The handicrafts club! I’m not the type who wants to burn a lot of energy in club activities, and I figured the skills you learn in a handicrafts club might be useful in the future. Actually, I was in a sewing club when I was in elementary school. I remember making a tissue case there and giving it to my dad as a gift—he was really happy!”

— Speaking of youth, romance is also part of the picture. You spent your school years under a no-dating rule as a member of HKT48, but if you hadn’t been an idol, what kind of romance would you have wanted?

“Hmmm… It’s hard to imagine. When I was in elementary school, I was super popular with the girls more than the boys. I sometimes think, if I had been a boy, I probably would’ve been really popular!”

— What kind of girl were you in elementary school?

“I grew up in a pretty rural part of Kumamoto Prefecture, so I think I was kind of a mischievous girl. I was good at climbing trees and always one of the last girls standing in dodgeball. I had strong arms, so I was the best among the girls in my class at softball throws. I wasn’t scared of bugs either. When a bug landed on a girl’s clothes and she screamed, I’d calmly pick it off for her. I think that gave me a reliable girl image, and that’s probably why I was so popular with girls. Even now, I still have a bit of that ‘I want girls to swoon over me’ kind of feeling.”

I’m the type who thrives on praise! So please shower me with compliments!

— You’ve been playing many roles recently in films and dramas where you captivate men. Last spring’s drama Cinderella Complex (MBS), the fall drama Class 3C is Having an Affair (NTV), and the ABEMA original drama Love You to Death (aired March to May this year) all had you cast as “the other woman” in affairs. What are your thoughts on being chosen for such roles so often?

“I do think it’s a lot, but lately there seems to be an overall increase in works dealing with affairs. In that context, I feel grateful to be given roles that take advantage of my young age.”

— What kind of romance would you personally like to experience?

“Well, affairs are definitely a no-go for me (laughs). I play those roles on screen, but in real life, they’re absolutely out of the question.”

— What type of man do you like?

“Rather than as a man, I think I’m drawn to people I can respect as individuals. I’m especially attracted to people who are good at their jobs, but it doesn’t have to be work—it could be anything. If there’s at least one thing I can truly admire about someone, I’ll find them appealing.”

— On the flip side, is there a type of person you’re not good with?

“I don’t like men who call others ‘omae’ [a blunt or condescending way to say ‘you’ in Japanese]. It’s not that I dislike domineering types in general, but just hearing that word makes me feel like I’m being scolded. I’ve often been told I’m the kind of person who grows when praised, so I want to be complimented a lot!”

— You’ve been living alone in Tokyo since last January. You struggled with train transfers at first—have you gotten used to it?

“I’ve gotten much better. Though when a bullet train is involved in a local train transfer, I still get confused (laughs).”

— Do you cook?

“Lately I’ve been so busy that I often rely on delivery. But when I have a long break, I think about my budget, go grocery shopping, and cook for myself.”

— In March, your first solo show Tanaka Miku’s Onchi Sake (BS Nippon TV) aired. How are things with alcohol?

“I haven’t been drinking much. When I have early mornings the next day, I tend to avoid alcohol—and recently I’ve had early mornings almost every day, so it’s like I’ve been on a ‘no drinking’ streak without even trying.”

— We’ve heard you come from a family that handles alcohol well?

“Well, I’m from Kumamoto (laughs). Both of my parents love alcohol. When I turned 20, my mom was eager to teach me about drinking and kept pushing all kinds of drinks on me. That actually triggered a sort of ‘alcohol rebellion’ in me. Like, the more she said ‘Try this!’, the more I didn’t want to. Thanks to that, I’ve developed a strong desire to enjoy alcohol at my own pace and in my own way.”

— What’s your favorite drink?

“Kumamoto’s rice shochu ‘Hakutake Shiro’. I keep a bottle at home and enjoy it mixed with soda or green tea. Right now I’ve just finished the last bottle, but once work settles down a bit, I want to restock and get back to enjoying evening drinks.”

My best recent snacks with sake
Vinegared squid

When I’m home alone and have the next day off, I enjoy relaxing with a drink. I love dishes that pair well with alcohol, and right now, my number one favorite is vinegared squid (su-ika) on a skewer—like the kind you’d often see at old-fashioned candy shops. I always pair it with Hakutake Shiro shochu. The sourness and umami of the squid go perfectly with Shiro’s aroma and clean flavor. My second favorite is deep-fried ginkgo nuts, which go great with beer. I really enjoy discovering delicious pairings of snacks and drinks!

From the July 18-25, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”