The first date of 2018 with Yutaro was to visit a ‘power spot’ so we can have a wonderful year this year too. That being said, we went to “Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine” in Sendagaya which is next to Harajuku. This was our hatsumou, the first shrine visit of the New Year, and we went wearing kimono.
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine is a 5-minute walk from Kita-Sando Station via the Tokyo Metro Fukukoshin Line, just one stop from Meiji-Jingumae Station in Harajuku. It’s super easy to get there from Harajuku or Shibuya. You can also walk there in 5-minutes from Sendagaya Station if you take the JR Sobu Line.
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine has a long history, even going as far as to be recorded in the Edo meisho zue, an illustrated guide to famous Edo places that was published at the end of the Edo period. The shrine grounds features the shogidou, where a huge Shogi (like chess) piece is enshrined; the Koga Inarisha shrine where the Koga-Gumi, a group of ninja serving the Tokugawa Shogunate, would pay reverence; a Noh stage; the main building that was completed in 1993, and more.
According to the Shinto chief priest Hirano, the oldest things in the shrine grounds are the 3 ginkgo trees planted there. If you visit the shrine, be on the lookout.
We finally arrived. After bowing, we headed through the torii gate and onward towards the shrine. We cleanse our hands and mouth before praying. I wonder what could he be praying for? He has an unusually serious expression.
After praying, we climbed the fuji-zuka, a manmade mound made to imitate Mount Fuji. It has received much attention as a ‘power spot,’ a place believed to heal visitors through special energy. The Edo period was a time when it was difficult for people to climb Mount Fuji, so common folk would look to fuji-zuka as Mount Fuji for their worshipping.
It is said that Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine was constructed in 1789, and the fuji-zuka, the oldest still standing in the city, was designated a Tangible Folk Cultural Property.
Yutaro-kun hasn’t climbed Mount Fuji before, so this will be his first!
Mount Fuji has 5 stations you can stop off at leading up. Climbing fuji-zuka was tougher than we thought, so we agreed to wear sneakers next time. While being cautious we continued our climb without falling.
Writing from the Kansei era is written on the komitake sekison daigogen at the 5th station. You can’t help but feel the length of the fuki-zuka’s history at Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine!
The view from the top is amazing! When you see the tree-wrapped shrine grounds, your heart feels gentle and calm.
“It’s a dream come true that we can climb Mount Fuji in Tokyo.”
We took a different route going down. This route is steep too!
After we safely reached the bottom, we receive a goshuin shrine stamp to commemorate today’s Mount Fuji worship. The ceremony fee is ￥300. Be sure you get one too after reaching the top!
Finally, we drew one of Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine’s unique “Hato Mikuji.” The omikuji blessing was “small blessing” (sho-kichi). After reading the omikuji carefully, we tied it to tie a link with the gods. Before we knew it, the date had come to an end.
How was this first kimono date? If you’re thinking you want to walk around Harajuku in a kimono like Yutaro, then we recommend checking out a rental kimono store. The kimono worn today was rented at the Moshi Moshi Kimono Salon in Harajuku. Please enjoy yourself by going out in a kimono with your friends or on a kimono date with that special someone.
■Information
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine
Adddress: 1-1-24 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3401-1284
Homepage: http://www.hatonomori-shrine.or.jp/
Model：Yutaro
Yutaro was born in Hiroshima on June 3rd 1998. His modeling career has earned him lots of attention as a fashion icon of the new generation. The famous model also works as a “charisma” shop assistant. Yutaro has gained his reputation as a “mysterious and handsome guy” from his appearance on Japanese variety shows. His debut was made on the show “Gyoretsu no Dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo” and has since then appeared on numerous different TV shows. He challenged himself to appear on stage for the very first time in March this year and is gaining popularity by the day for his diverse work.
Photographer: Kayo Sekiguchi
Writer: Sayuri Mizuno(ASOBISYSTEM)
Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
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A late-night date is nice once in a while, am I right? Well, for the first time since the initiation of this series, that’s where we’re headed.
We went to Tokyo Tower where one can gaze at the bright and sparkly nightscape of the city. Our meeting place was the entrance to Tokyo Tower. Yutaro-kun had arrived early. Maybe because we’re meeting at night? It has a slightly more mature vibe to it than usual. “Geez, it’s cold!!”
Yutaro-kun is always in good health.At the entrance of Tokyo Tower is the city’s biggest Christmas tree – one that’s 60 years old. Its 60,000 or so decorative lights are so entrancingly beautiful they make you forget about the cold! These illuminations will be up until February 28th. They are on between 16:00-22:00, with a special light show running every 30 minutes. These colourful and sparkling lights are a must-see. Yutaro-kun was spellbound by all the different colours of the illuminations too. There’s lots of other great places to take photos around the entrance too besides next to the tree. Taking an interposed photo with the lit-up mini Tokyo Tower or heart-enveloped Tokyo tower will most certainly be a memorable occasion. ■Information Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy 〜Orange Illumination〜 Running: November 2, 2017 – February 28, 2018 Time: 16:00-23:00 Location: Tokyo Tower front entrance The “Orange Garden Lighting Show” runs every 30 minutes between 16:00-22:00 every day. The final show is at 22:00.After getting our fill of illuminations, we made our way to the Main Observatory of Tokyo Tower. The elevator made a steady climb up 150m.When we arrived at the Main Observatory, there it was. Tokyo’s night skyline. It was a most spectacular view and looked like an entirely different place from the Tokyo we spend our time in. “This is my second time in Tokyo Tower. It might be my first time to come at night.”
The Main Observatory is currently holding a projection mapping event called “CITY LIGHT FANTASIA.” They use the windows and floor of the observatory to make it look like Tokyo Tower is snowing.There’s a photo spot in conjunction with the event too. The lights are turned on at this spot, so you can take beautiful photos even with your phone. Look out for the snow crystals changing colour as time passes too! "It really looks like it’s snowing!"
Snow was falling everywhere we walked around the observation deck. This was also part of the “CITY LIGHT FANTASIA” performance. Snow was emulated by lasers which sparkled as it fell. The highlight of the event was experiencing this snowy environment with the Tokyo nightscape as the backdrop. The snowfall “Diamond Dust” experience runs for 15 minutes.■Information CITY LIGHT FANTASIA Running: November 15, 2017 – January 31, 2018 Time: 18:00-22:50 Location: Tokyo Tower 2F Main Observation Price: Costs only the observation deck fee all the way to the Main ObservationAfter being satisfied with seeing the nightscape, we went to the official shop where they sell souvenirs. They have Tokyo Tower merchandise you can’t get anywhere else, so be sure to find your favourite that captures your memory of heading up to the Main Observation.Straight ahead after leaving the shop is the Tokyo Tower Love Power Spot “Another Diamond Veil” made by Swaroviski. It’s famous as a ‘power spot’ radiating with loving energy, so don’t forget to check this out if you want to increase your chances of love. Both of us were tired after so much fun, so we took a breather at “Cafe La Tour” located in one corner of the Main Observation. Yutaro-kun ordered his favourite match drink without hesitation: the “Koi Uji Matcha Late Float” which costs ￥520 (tax included). Yutaro-kun, thank you for always sharing with me! This café has window seats, so you can enjoy your food and beverages while gazing over Tokyo. It’s a great spot for viewing the city scenery while kicking back and relaxing. ■Information Cafe La Tour Open: 9:30-22:30 TEL：03-3433-1850After unwinding at the café, our Tokyo Tower date came to an end! My end-of-year was spent with Yutaro-kun who vibe was a little different from usual. I wonder what kind of Yutaro-kun I’ll get to meet next year? I pray that I can have another fun date with him next year too! ■Information Tokyo Tower Address: 4-2-8 Shiba Park, Minato, Tokyo Price: Adults ￥900 / Elementary & Middle School Students ￥500 / Children over 4-years ￥400 Main Observation (150m): 9:00-23:00 (last entries 22:30) *Last entries may be carried out earlier during busy periods. Tokyo Tower Official Website: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/Model：Yutaro @aaaoe__Yutaro was born in Hiroshima on June 3rd 1998. His modeling career has earned him lots of attention as a fashion icon of the new generation. The famous model also works as a “charisma” shop assistant. Yutaro has gained his reputation as a “mysterious and handsome guy” from his appearance on Japanese variety shows. His debut was made on the show “Gyoretsu no Dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo” and has since then appeared on numerous different TV shows. He challenged himself to appear on stage for the very first time in March this year and is gaining popularity by the day for his diverse work. Photographer: Kayo Sekiguchi Writer: Sayuri Mizuno(ASOBISYSTEM) Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga -
Our cute model Yutaro finally found some time in his busy schedule to go on a date with me! Today we’re heading to a spot where you can cure your fatigue after a long day at work. Our destination for today is a cat café! Today Yutaro took me out to Café MoCHA in Shibuya. This cat café is filled with many sofa seats, from which you can gaze at the scenery of Shibuya at nighttime. This was my first time at this cat café, but Yutaro’s second time. Yutaro quickly proceeded as if he was very familiar with it. We ended up on the second floor of Cat Café MoCHA Shibuya. First, we spent time on the upper floor to meet the cats.
Cats, cats and more cats in so many different places - they were here, there and everywhere! Some stayed sprawled out on the swinging seats whilst some came to cosy up with the humans. This was a great opportunity to get to know them. All of a sudden… …When did Yutaro get those cat ears?! Did he do this to get into the cat café mood? With a bushy cat toy in one hand, he got closer to the cats. Notice Yutaro is wearing a sweater with a cat character on it in this photo! I wonder if he decided to wear this because of the cat café… anyhow, it’s so cute! “Caaaaaaats!” “I’ve got them all!” I wonder if it’s Yutaro’s cat ears that attracted all the cats to gather around him? Yutaro waved the bushy cat toy about with one hand, triggering the playful cats. The sight of it healed my tired heart. ♡ Afterwards, we chilled with some cats on a sofa, purring. The sofa was a great spot to look over the beautiful nighttime scenery of Shibuya. It was very…romantic... After our break, we went straight back to play mode! It was time to play with the cats! The cats seemed to gradually get tired after all that playing and then it was back to relaxation mode. Why does this cat choose to sit right behind Yutaro?! And here’s one sitting just like Yutaro! Little by little, Yutaro and the cats became better friends. >>next page
Since all the cats on the top floor were tired out from all that playing, we headed to the bottom floor. Shibuya’s Cat Café MoCHA has “Oyatsu Time” which runs from 11:00 to 18:00. During “Oyatsu time”, visitors can give snacks to the cats. We chose ice candy!The ice candy smelt like fish. It cost ￥500 (+tax). The cats gradually drew near, sniffing out the delicious smell… At first they approached slowly, but then they became more daring! One eventually jumped onto Yutaro’s lap and then licked the candy! "Here kitty, kitty〜" Isn’t this just the cutest photo? Both cat and human in perfect harmony! A photo of Yutaro and a cat makes for the ultimate shot! At 19:00, it’s time for all the cats to line up for dinner! Just watching them all gobble up every single bite was the highlight of the night. Once they were full, they started to doze off into a deep slumber. Finally, Yutaro took one last photo with one of his new friends before bidding farewell. Returning back to the entrance, Yutaro took one of MoCHA’s original cat Mikuji fortunes (￥100). This was where the date ended. Incase you’re wondering what kind of blessing Yutaro got from the fortune slip, he got a “middle blessing”! According to the slip of paper, Yutaro must work his hardest with a meow! Watching Yutaro tire from all that exercise with the cats was very relaxing for me, so the person who was the most relaxed by the end was probably me?! I want to go on another date with Yutaro, so I’ll be working hard everyday with a meow! ※ At MoCHA, you are not allowed to forcibly hug the cats or force them to sit on your lap. If the cat jumps up onto your lap at its own will, then it’s ok. However, there are many timid cats so if one jumps on you, please leave them in peace. ■Information Cat Café MoCHA Shibuya Assorti Building Floor 8 & 9, 32-12, Udagawa-cho, Shibuya Times: 10:00 〜 22:00 Last entries: 21:30 No closing days all year round Access: A five-minute walk from Shibuya station URL：http://catmocha.jp/shibuya/Model：Yutaro @aaaoe__ Our Yutaro was born in Hiroshima on 3rd June 1998. His modeling career has earned him lots of attention as a fashion icon of the new generation. The famous model also works as a “charisma” shop assistant. Yutaro has gained his reputation as a “mysterious and handsome guy” from his appearance on Japanese variety shows. His debut was made on the show “Gyoretsu no Dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo” and has since then appeared on numerous different TV shows. He challenged himself to appear on stage for the very first time this year and is gaining popularity by the day for his diverse work. Photographer：Kayo Sekiguchi Original text by: Sayuri Mizuno (ASOBISYSTEM) Translated by: Samantha Fernandes -
Shinagawa Station is an easy place to get to as it’s connected to many other stations and is accessible from numerous other locations. It’s a familiar place to many tourists inside and outside Japan as not only does the Tōkaidō Shinkansen run through it, but the Keikyu Line does too which goes all the way through Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.
Today, we’ll be heading to a special little place at Shinagawa Station for a date with Yutaro♡
You may think your eyes are deceiving you and be surprised to find that there’s an aquarium amongst all the big buildings and commercial facilities around this area. Located 2-minutes’ walk away from the Takanawa Exit of Shinagawa Station, upon a hill, is “Aqua Park Shinagawa”.
It’s an aquatic paradise that offers a unique show of enchanting illuminations, sounds and an incredible use of technology. The moment we stepped foot inside, we were immediately greeted by fish and water tanks aplenty, lit up in a faint light.
As we went further in, the first thing to come into sight was the “Dolphin Party” merry-go-round (￥500) which had all kinds of aquatic animals that you could ride on. Sea otters, sea lions, shellfish and more—it really makes you feel like you’re under the sea.“I want the dolphin!”
“It’s been a while since I’ve ridden on a merry-go-round”
We got off the Dolphin Party and headed to the next zone, past the twinkling, lit-up wall, over to the “Interactive Live Area”.
This place has interactive touch panel fish tanks!
There are real fish displayed inside, but when you press your finger to the screen digital fish appear and begin to swim in unison. You can also see the real fishes’ habitats. But we didn’t just watch the fish. The touch panels actually teach you a lot about the fish while you play on them.
Each display is different for each touch panel, so make sure to press them all♪
“This tank is amazing!!”The next area was called “Colors”.
It’s filled with gorgeous displays of fish and flowers, both decorations and projections. When we went, they were having their first summer event (running until July 2nd). It’s a collaboration between the creative company “NAKED,” and the theme was “flowers”.
We heard that the next one will begin on July 8th when they will display digital art of fireworks. I wonder if Yutaro will come with me again...
>>next page
We got a little tired from having so much fun so we stopped by the “Coral Café Bar” for a break. There’s lots of tables at the bar—and the fish are swimming here too.
We both shared a “Frankfurter” (￥300) and “Rose Squash” (￥500). The squash looked really cute. It had a light flavour, and the moment I took a sip from it the fragrance of rose filled my mouth completely. (The rose squash is only available until July 2nd).
“Want a drink?”
We then moved onto the next area which was the “Jellyfish Rumble”.
There were lots of different types of jellyfish inside the tanks which were illuminated as they quietly bobbed up and down. Yutaro looked so cute as he intently watched the jellyfish swimming♡
We were both tranced by the jellyfish and followed them around together.
The show was about to start, so we headed to “The Stadium” where we watched the mid-day dolphin show.
We were told that the first front 4 rows of seats would get drenched, so of course we bought ponchos and went straight to the wet zone!
The dolphin moved in time with the music for their performance. It responded to the lady’s voice and danced together with the audience. Yutaro was dancing really happily, more than everyone else...! And then, just as the lady had warned us beforehand...
“Aaah!”
Me and Yutaro got completely soaked, but it was a really fun show. This might be the first show I’ve been to where I’ve danced to music while watching dolphins.
>>next page
After the show had finished, we headed to the “Wild Street”.
This is where you get to see otters, penguins, spotted seal, fur seal and more up close. Yutaro was completely mesmerized by the spotted seal.
“Hey, hey, look over here”
We then came to the “Wonder Tube”.
It’s an almost 20-meter tall tunnel with natural light shining through from the top. This is where you get to see more than 10 types of rays, as well as the rare dwarf sawfish. It looked really nice to be one of those fish as they swam gracefully together in that big tank.
“That one is really big, isn’t it?”
The last stop was the souvenir shop, “Aqua Shop Luce”.
They sell all kinds of original goods that you can only buy here, like plushies, stationary and other bits and bobs.
“Ah! I can eat this!!”
Yutaro made the date a lot of fun all the way till the end.
And with that, today’s date comes to an end. We saw lots of things, from the fish tanks with digital projections, to the dolphin show, and finally the souvenir shop. Yutaro has been pretty busy lately. I wonder if he’s feeling a little more uplifted after going to the aquarium...?
Well, better start looking for the next fun date spot for when we can go out together again♪
■Information
Aqua Park Shinagawa
Address: 4 Chome-10-30 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Inside Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Telephone: 03-5421-1111 (Voice Guidance)
Access: 2-minutes’ walk from the Takanawa Exit of Shinagawa Station
Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
Model：Yutaro @aaaoe__
Born in Hiroshima-ken on June 3rd, 1998. Yutaro is a model that has received attention as a new-generation fashion icon and who currently works as a charisma shop assistant (‘karisuma’). He gained attention on Japanese variety shows as a “mysterious and handsome guy” and made his debut on “Gyorestu no Dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo.” Since then, he has appeared on lots of different TV shows. He challenged himself to appearing on stage for the very first time this year in March and is growing ever more popular every day for his diverse work.
Photograph：Kayo Sekiguchi
Writer & Editor：Sayuri Mizuno（ASOBISYSTEM）
Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
Related article：【Tokyo Stroll】A café date with Yutaro at Jugetsudo, Ginza – eating a rich parfait and Mont Blanc made with matcha and love♡
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【Tokyo Stroll】A café date with Yutaro at Jugetsudo, Ginza – eating a rich parfait and Mont Blanc made with matcha and love♡
While shopping complexes such as Tokyu Plaza and GINZA SIX are on the rise, Ginza itself is a city that has been bustling with energy for a long time. It’s packed full of traditional and new shops and brings in people from all ages, young and old, and prides itself as the place to go during everyone’s days off.
<Related article：【Tokyo Stroll】Strolling around in Harajuku which has a lot of unique spots such as popular graffiti and artistic miscellaneous stores.>
Today is one of those days, so we’ll be heading on a date with model Yutaro.Jugetsudo is a café managed by Maruyamanori that serves tea and nori (seaweed). It’s located only a 1-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza. Jugetsudo positions itself as a deliverer of Japanese culture, as not only does it have a shop in Japan, but in Paris too.
Located on the 5th floor of Kabukiza Tower in Ginza, the stylish interior design of Jugetsudo was created by Kengo Kuma. The décor features bamboo throughout the entire café, giving it that Japanese authenticity.
The parks were visible from our seats, making it a suitable location for a relaxing and comfortable date. There were so many great things on the menu so it was difficult to choose what to order, but we went for a matcha parfait and matcha Mont Blanc since they are popular items at Jugetsudo.
“Matcha is my favourite kind of sweet”
The first order to arrive was the matcha parfait which is made using farming methods found in Nakajima. It came with Hōjicha and totaled ￥1,480. The luxurious soft cream uses matcha that is made from mineral-rich soil in Nakajima. Underneath, the parfait is complete with granola, matcha syrup, and matcha kanten. The entire parfait is lavished with matcha, and the soft cream even has matcha powder sprinkled on top. The sweet matcha ice cream and slightly bitter taste of the matcha syrup make for a perfect combination! This is a sweet that anyone can get down with, even people who aren’t too good with sweet stuff.
“The powdered matcha on top of the soft cream is subtly bitter and delicious!”
“Wanna try?”
Of course, the Hōjicha that comes with the parfait is great too. The Hōjicha you will normally find being sold is made with second and third buds, but the Hōjicha in Jugetsudo boasts first buds. It’s a sweet and satisfying taste.
The second order to arrive was the matcha Mont Blanc and cold-brew tea set which came to ￥1,450. The Mont Blanc is made with a matcha cream that has a slight bitter taste to it, and chestnut paste, to bring out a rich flavour. You eat the cake with chestnut on top, and as you approach the center you’ll find a big chestnut inside. The chestnuts used as Japanese chestnuts. The sponge has cream on top of it and liquid matcha mixed inside, making this a sophisticated dessert indeed.
What goes perfectly with the Mont Blanc is the cold-brew tea that comes in the set, called “Matsuri Mecha.” The sweet tea brings out a refreshing flavour in the aftertaste of the cake. It’s the perfect thing for the upcoming hot summer days.
To celebrate having gone out this day, we bought souvenirs and puddings, before saying goodbye.
The date with the matcha-loving Yutaro went by so quickly, but when I eat my pudding I will most definitely remember the happy day I spent today. Let’s plan our next date while eating our puddings ♡
■Information
Jugetsudo in Kabukiza, Ginza
Address: Kabukiza Tower 5F, 4 Chome-12-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-6278-7626
model：Yutaro
Born in Hiroshima-ken on June 3rd, 1998. Yutaro is a model that has received attention as a new-generation fashion icon and who currently works as a charisma shop assistant (‘karisuma’). He gained attention on Japanese variety shows as a “mysterious and handsome guy” and made his debut on “Gyorestu no Dekiru Horitsu Sodanjo.” Since then, he has appeared on lots of different TV shows. He challenged himself to appearing on stage for the very first time this year in March and is growing ever more popular every day for his diverse work.
Photograph：Kayo Sekiguchi
Writer & Editor：Sayuri Mizuno（ASOBI SYSTEM）
Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
Related article：The big models (including Yutaro) of Harajuku fashion give their New Year’s Resolutions!
Related article：【Tokyo Stroll】Strolling around in Harajuku which has a lot of unique spots such as popular graffiti and artistic miscellaneous stores.
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Report: Actors Reveal All at ‘Zenra Meshi’ Official Photobook Press Conference–“My Favorite Shot Is the Two of Us Taking a Bath Together”
On June 24, a special event was held at HMV&BOOKS SHIBUYA to celebrate the release of the official Zenra Meshi photobook. The popular drama series, currently airing on Kansai TV, stars Yutaro and Shori Kondo, who both took the stage for a press conference prior to the start of the event. The book includes over 30 pages of gravure photos of Yutaro (Miki Mahiro) and Shori Kondo (Futa Ichijo). Also included are 20 pages of solo photos of Futa wearing a suit and posing in front of a beautiful night scene and Miki wearing a hoodie in a restaurant that smells of spices. Both shoots were intended to look as though a lover snapped the images. The photobook also includes Mizuchi’s Recipe Notebook, highlighting recipes from around the world with comments by popular cookbook author Yummy. Fans can also enjoy plenty of interviews with the cast and crew along with behind-the-scenes filming and production details. ――What were your thoughts when you first held the photobook in your hands? Kondo: “To be honest, I didn’t expect these images to be released in photobook form. I was surprised but happy.” Yutaro: “During filming, the producer and I chatted a ton about how we wanted to create this. We took so many pictures of each other, but I didn’t expect doing that to take an entire day, and I didn’t expect to see interviews with the director and producer included too. When I first saw the book, I felt nostalgic…a little warm and fuzzy too.” Kondo: “I didn’t know you wanted to do this from the beginning. (Laugh)” ――Tell us some of your favorite moments from shooting or the setups you like most! Kondo: “I have some good memories of the swan boat race. Even though the two of us were in a swan boat, the photographer was shooting from a canoe. It was a ton of fun–we’d try to paddle away from him and things like that. There was this playfulness that I really love.” Yutaro: “We had our first photo shoot at Ueno Park, and we did so much–had a picnic and ate together, played badminton, just had fun. I used Shori-kun’s legs as a pillow, which was so boyfriend-like. Finally being able to see what those shots looked like in the photobook made me smile. Obviously, I couldn’t see them during the shoot itself.” Kondo: “We were pretty awful at badminton, weren’t we?” Yutaro: “That’s why there are only three shots of it. (Laugh)”――Which is your favorite shot of each other? Kondo: (Immediately) “I have one! The one with the toothbrush…” Yutaro: “Oh, totally!” Kondo: “Yutaro was wearing glasses and PJs, brushing his teeth, right? It looks like a candid shot, like it was just shot at home. I love it.” Yutaro: “Mine would be the shot of the two of us taking a bath together. Even though it’s my favorite, it doesn’t have a huge presence in the book, and it wasn’t even planned too far in advance. We were asked to come in and take that picture together at the last minute.” Kondo: “We took it while I was asking if we could get in the tub in our PJs. (Laugh)” Yutaro: “I just love that picture. We look so cute.” ――What does Zenra Meshi mean to the two of you today? Kondo: “It’s my first drama and my first acting role, so it’s something that will stick with me for a long time.” Yutaro: “I’ve done more drama work than Shori-kun, and compared to those, this series allowed the two of us to spend so much time together. Even after shooting ended, we’d meet up for dinner and chat about all the people we worked with and how much we missed each other. We really care about each other and that’s why this project worked so well. I don’t usually watch the drama series I star in, but I am watching Zenra Meshi on TVer, so I think that’s subconsciously causing me to become a fanboy.” Kondo: “I watched the first episode so many times I lost count. I couldn’t believe it was me on the screen. I was so incredibly happy. I watched the video sent to me, then I watched it on TVer, then I watched it on Hulu!” Yutaro: “You watched it live at your parent's house too.” Kondo: “Yeah. I watched a video of myself eating dinner naked with my mom. (Laugh) I told her that it would be too embarrassing to watch with her, but she called me and told me to come home. (Laugh) I was in Osaka at the time, and she told me that we’d never get another opportunity like this again. It was my first drama series, so we needed to watch it together. I got home, woke her up, and we watched it together. (Laugh)” ――Do you feel like the response to the series has been positive after 11 episodes? Kondo: “So many people I know have been watching, including my friends back in Osaka and my old teachers. They’ve reached out to me to let me know! I mean, people I haven’t heard from in years have told me that they’re tuning in. I’m realizing how great it is to have media available in so many ways.” ――Yutaro-san, you mentioned that you’re watching the show on TVer. How is the response on social media in real-time? Yutaro: “The show is available to watch around the world, and I’ve found out that it’s popular in Brazil. If you look at the show’s Instagram page, you’ll find people from other countries summarizing the series for those who can’t tune in and who have trouble understanding. I’m so glad that we were able to share this series with fans around the globe because they send so much love on social media. ――Do either of you want to do a sequel in the future? Maybe Season 2 or a movie? Yutaro: “I feel like a movie would be good, right?” Kondo: “I was talking to some of the higher-up staff behind the scenes, and a bunch of them were talking about heading to Okinawa. (Laugh)” Yutaro: “Why Okinawa though? (Laugh)” Kondo: “No idea, they just said they wanted to go. (Laugh)” Yutaro: “Would this be set years later or something? (Laugh) That sounds like fan service! We were close, even if it was just for two months.” Kondo: “We shot in specific places and all of the actors and staff members ate together, so we still hang out like we’ve been friends forever.” Yutaro: “It looks like we’re doing a barbeque soon. I’ll have to tell everyone to come.” ――Fans would love to see the two of you having a barbeque together. Kondo: “Well, maybe if there’s a Season 2…I’m not sure how that would work though.” Yutaro: “Since it’s an original series, we could really put the characters into any situation.” Kondo: “I think my character would get angry again. (Laugh) Basically, I’m the source of all the trouble, so I’m sure I’d get carried away…(Laugh)” ――If there is a sequel, do you think it would be difficult to stay naked? Kondo: “I think so. I’ve become much bigger than when we first started filming. I was so skinny then, but it was what it was. I have a little more muscle and a better overall body now. (Laugh)” ――We’re looking forward to hopefully seeing that in the future. Kondo: “Oh, I’ll always take it all off. (Laugh)” ――Do you have a message to the fans ahead of the final episode? Kondo: “It seemed like everything would be tied up in Episode 11 and that a happy ending was on the way, but things suddenly got muddled. Since everything will wrap up in Episode 12, I think fans have a lot of action to look forward to. I really love the last scene, and I can’t wait for people to see it. It’s so sweet.” Yutaro: “The series has everything–gourmet flavors, human drama, romance. Each time I see the bittersweet feelings the two main characters share, I feel a little impatient, sad, and frustrated. Even though I know how it ends, I want to watch it at the same time as everyone else. I’ve been watching every episode on TVer, and there were so moments when I wondered how we filmed certain scenes. I was happy to be able to watch them at the same time as the fans so that I could really hear their honest feedback. The ending is filled with hope for the future, and I hope that everyone will tune in to see how things work out for our protagonists. Even though it’s fictitious, the photobook shows how the two live their daily life together, so I hope you’ll enjoy it while you watch the show.” Kondo: “If you check out what people are saying on social media, they always say that Ichijo is mad all the time. At least, up until Episode 10. In Episode 11, he finally takes a proper step forward, and we see how much he’s grown since meeting Mahiro. I feel like I also grew as an actor. I’m happy that I met Mahiro, and I hope that the fans feel that way too.” Information
Zenra Meshi Official Photobook -Our Recipes Start Here-
Release Date: June 23, 2023
Price: ¥3,850
Publisher: Tokyo News -
Yutaro will star in the TV Tokyo drama series Nare no Hate no Bokura, scheduled to air starting June 27. The series is based on Yae Utsumi’s manga series, serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine and available digitally by Magazine Pocket. A group of classmates gather for an elementary school reunion, but what happens isn’t so heartwarming–over a 52-hour period of confinement, the suspenseful series shows what humans will do when trapped in extreme conditions. Yutaro plays Kohei Tachibana, a young man called the ‘Chairman’ by his classmates. A dependable leader, he also has a dangerous side after being raised with impossible expectations.
<Comment from Yutaro (Kohei Tachibana)>
“I’m Yutaro, and I play Kohei Tachibana, also known as the ‘Chairman.’ The original manga was just so interesting and so shocking–I was really looking forward to seeing how it would translate to the small screen. I remember being so excited that I couldn’t stop flipping through the pages. As we work on the final pieces and hope for rave reviews, please pray for Tachibana’s life as he hopes to maintain his relationships with his dear friends. Look forward to the first shocking episode on June 27!”
<Introduction>
A repulsive experiment to test the “goodness” within people–
Nezu and 23 other former sixth-grade students from class 2 gathered at their alma mater for a reunion only to be held captive for three days, resulting in the deaths of 13 people. The culprit was Mikio Yumezaki (Inukai Atsuhiro), a former classmate. His goal? To test the bounds of human goodness in such an extreme and life-threatening situation. Who would betray who? Who would kill who? What would people do when faced with such difficult decisions? Revenge, bullying, betrayal, shocking revelations–you won’t want to miss this suspenseful series!
Information
Nare no Hate no Bokura
Airing: Tuesday nights at 24:30 starting June 27
TV Tokyo / TV Aichi / TV Setouchi / TV Hokkaido / TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting / BS TV Tokyo / BS TV Tokyo 4K: Airing Monday nights from 24:30~24:59 starting July 3
*The first episode on July 3 will run from 24:59~25:28Streaming: Unlimited viewing on U-NEXT / Past episodes will stream with ads on TV TOKYO’s website (TVer)
Original Work: Nare no Hate no Bokura – Yae Utsumi (Weekly Shonen Magazine KC)Official Sites
・Website
・Twitter（@tx_narenohate）
・Instagram（@tx_narenohate）©Nare no Hate no Bokura Production Committee ©Yae Utsumi / Kodansha
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The Kansai Television drama Zenra Meshi, starring Yutaro, is getting an official photobook release on June 23, 2023 titled Zenra Meshi Official Photobook -Our Recipes Start Here-. The unusual romantic comedy follows an elite businessman hiding an incredible secret–he loves to eat naked to relieve his stress. One day, this habit is revealed, and Ichijo finds himself quickly falling in love. The official photobook will include over 30 pages of gravure photos of Yutaro (Miki Mahiro) and Shori Kondo (Futa Ichijo). Set as an epilogue taking place after the main story shown in the series, Futa and Miki can be seen enjoying a picnic date with a handmade bento and spending cozy time together in PJs at home. Also included are 20 pages of solo photos of Futa wearing a suit and posing in front of a beautiful night scene and Miki wearing a hoodie in a restaurant that smells of spices. Both shoots were intended to look as though a lover snapped the images. The photobook also includes Mizuchi’s Recipe Notebook, highlighting recipes from around the world with comments by popular cookbook author Yummy. Fans can also look forward to plenty of interviews with the cast and crew along with behind-the-scenes filming and production details.
Information
Zenra Meshi Official Photobook -Our Recipes Start Here-
Release Date: June 23, 2023
Price: ¥3,850
Publisher: Tokyo News
*The book may be released on a different date depending on the area.■Purchase Bonus
Amazon: Limited Edition Cover
We! Premium Limited Store: Photo (Shori Kondo)
Seven Net Shopping: Autographed Photobook (Shori Kondo or Yutaro)<Notes>
*The start date and time for orders may vary depending on the store. Check each company’s website for details.
*Purchase bonuses and limited-edition copies are available while supplies last.
*Additional retailers and special offers may be added in the future.
*Availability will vary by store. Please check with each location for details.Official Photobook Release Event
Date: June 24, 2023
Venue: Tokyo
More details will be released later in TOKYO NEWS magazine&mook (https://zasshi.tv/) -
Licaxxx and Yutaro are currently appearing in a new ad for Meta Rubber, a new series of products from Mandom’s ‘Gatsby’ hair styling brand. A total of nine cast members from all areas of the entertainment world appear in the ad, from voice actors and video creators to idols and DJs. The video features the song Kororon by the popular artist Eve. Be sure to check out the ad for a glimpse into the Meta Rubber lineup, which aims to transcend standard hair styling techniques.
Information
Cast:
kemio (Video Creator)
Mizuho Habu (Artist, Sakurazaka46)
Keito Kimura (Performer, FANTASTICS)
Subaru Kimura (Voice Actor)
Yamato Inoue (Model/DJ)
Shuichiro (Video Creator)
Licaxxx (DJ)
Yutaro (Actor)
Tensei Saito (Model/Younger Song Director)Official Site
https://www.gatsby.jp/product/hairstyling/meta-rubber/ -
Yutaro to Appear in Original Drama During the Recitation Play ‘Shitaitoka, Shitakunaitoka no Hanashi Janai’
The recitation play Shitaitoka, Shitakunaitoka no Hanashi Janai (It’s Not About Whether or Not I Want To) will be performed at the Haiyuza Theater in Tokyo starting on April 20. Yutaro will appear in the drama that will be shown as part of the production. The recitation tells the story of a sexless couple and raises pertinent questions about the state of married couples and child-rearing today. AOI Pro., which has produced many theatrical films and TV dramas including the film Shoplifters and the drama series silent, planned and produced this performance.For the stage production, the recitation will be staged with full-scale video footage from the play. It tells the story of Takashi, an unsuccessful screenwriter and husband, who was dumped by his lover. After his wife, Kyoko wins an award for excellence in a screenwriting contest she entered without her husband's knowledge, she tries to break free from her conventional life of housework and childcare into a new world. The original drama shown during the performance will detail Takashi and Kyoko’s life when they were young and their first meeting before later becoming husband and wife. The drama was produced exclusively for the performance by Izuru Kumasaka, the director of Pretenders and other popular films. Yutaro will play the role of Takashi. <Comment from Yutaro> “This story is both sweet and bittersweet. It tells the tale of two young people who, I think, should be adults by now, but they can’t seem to grow up. I had never met Seira Hayakawa before this, but I’ve gotten to know her so well through this role. I hope you’ll enjoy the realistic struggles of two people through this reading!” <Comment from Director Izuru Kumasaka> “There’s a specific shot used in the play that Yutaro filmed with his smartphone. He managed to get a lot of great expressions out of Ms. Hayakawa, saying things like “the camera’s rolling,” and “the mic was in the shot, so is it okay if I resize the footage a bit?” It was a really novel experience. The last shot of the last day of filming was also done by him. The two of them really gave it their all until the end. There’s a scene where Hayakawa has to confess that she’s carrying her husband’s child, and it was so incredibly convincing despite how young she is. I was shaken. Please come to the theater to see their performance.” <Comment from Producer Yusuke Kurozawa> “Since we’re a video production company, we had to look at this theatrical performance in a unique way. We incorporated a lot of visual effects even though it’s largely a recitation. On stage, you see a fast-paced conversation between a couple on the verge of separation, but on the screen, you see them when they first met–when they were in love. You see how happy they were, and you wonder how their relationship became so incredibly warped. I was thrilled to work with Izuru Kumasaka on location in Chigasaki, since I’m a huge fan of Southern All Stars and Chigasaki Story - My Little Hometown, which he directed. I hope you’ll come to the theater to experience this blend of recitation and drama! Information
Shitaitoka, Shitakunaitoka no Hanashi Janai (It’s Not About Whether or Not I Want To)
Venue: Haiyuza Theater (Tokyo)
Original Work/Screenwriter: Shin Adachi (Shitakunaitoka no Hanashi Janai) (Futabasha Publishing)Performance Date/Time/Cast:
4/20, 19:00 / Ryoko Shinohara x Hirofumi Araki
4/21, 19:00 / Ryoko Shinohara x Hirofumi Araki
4/22, 15:00 / Hitomi Sato x Shigenori Yamazaki
4/22, 19:00 / Hitomi Sato x Shigenori Yamazaki
4/23, 15:00 / Ryoko Shinohara x Shigenori YamazakiDrama Cast during the play:
Seira Hayakawa (Nogizaka46), Yutaro<Tickets>
Admission: ¥8,500 (Tax Included, all seats reserved)
General Sales: April 8, 10:00~
・Ticket pia
・Lawson Ticket (L-Code: 32329)
・e+<Summary>
It’s spring 2020, and the pandemic is the talk of the town. Once a successful film director, Takashi has since had bomb after bomb. His wife Kyoko finally gives him the boot after entering and winning a screenwriting contest without his knowledge, eager to break free from housework and childcare for a new life. One night, while Kyoko is busy revising a script that has been chosen to be dramatized, she receives a LINE message from Takashi, who has gone to pick up their child from preschool. “I wanna do it tonight. It’s been a while…” Though the message is brief, it starts something in their marriage, which is filled with compromises and self-restraint. A husband who wants to do it and a wife who doesn’t–is sex essential for a couple to have a good relationship? As they mercilessly confront each other, they realize their true feelings for the first time…This is a story of a clumsy couple who rethink their lives and the state of their marriage in the wake of their sexless relationship.Official Site: https://aoistage.com/shitaitoka/
©AOI Pro.
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Yutaro will appear in the new Kansai TV drama series Zenra Meshi. The series is scheduled to begin airing this April during the EDGE time slot. The romantic comedy follows the protagonist Ichijo, a professional man hiding an incredible secret–he loves to eat naked. One day, this habit is revealed, and Ichijo finds himself quickly falling in love. Yutaro will play the role of Miki Mahiro, a young man who runs a fruit and vegetable store in Ichijo's hometown. One highlight of the show is the number of tasty-looking dishes supervised by Yummy, a cooking expert who has gained incredible popularity for sharing simple recipes that anyone can make. The dishes that Ichijo and Mahiro prepare using foreign spices are especially noteworthy, and viewers will definitely want to recreate them at home.
<Comment from Yutaro>
“My name is Yutaro and I play the role of Miki Mahiro. When I first heard the name of the series, I was so confused. I’d be naked? And eating? I thought I’d need to strip, but I was told that my character didn’t need to. I was so relieved… My character is a young man who runs a fruit and vegetable store and likes to cook, so I tried to cook for myself as much as I could after being cast. Be sure to look forward to the cooking scenes–I did all of it myself! I’ve previously worked with Shori Kondo, who plays Ichijo, so we already had a good relationship. So, there were some scenes where we get pretty close to each other, but it wasn’t stressful at all. Everything went smoothly from day one. The staff has been amazing–everyone has been fun to work with, and even during darker scenes, everyone starts laughing as soon as the director yells “cut!” Even though this is a romantic comedy, there are sad scenes scattered throughout that will make your heart ache, and I think it will touch a lot of people’s hearts. Please look forward to it!”Information
Zenra Meshi (Drama Series)
Premieres April 13, 2023
Airing Thursdays during the EDGE slot from 0:25~0:55 (Kansai Local)
*Episode 1 will air from 0:40~1:10
Streaming on Kantele Douga・TVerStarring: Shori Kondo, Yutaro, etc.
Script: Tomomi Ookubo, Ryo Kawasaki, Yoriko Kodama
Directors: Misato Kato, Ayaka Kato, Ryo Kawasaki
Producers: Yoko Toyofuku, Keiko Nakayama
Made in Collaboration with FCC
Written in Collaboration with Kansai Telecasting Corporation<Episode 1 Synopsis>
Futa Ichijo (Shori Kondo) is an elite salaryman working for the Financial Services Agency. A “perfect” man both in appearance and work performance, he has a secret hobby that he can’t tell anyone about…After an exhausting day at work, he comes home to his empty apartment, taking off his suit and his underwear, and eats a meal in the nude. Ah, what freedom! These stress-relieving nude meals would always be his secret.
One day, Ichijo receives a letter from his deceased grandmother–the letter had been sent before her death. Enclosed was the key to her house, and one day, after working overtime until the early morning hours, Ichijo is led to his grandmother’s house. After falling asleep, an unfamiliar man comes in through the front door! Fighting back against the intruder, sure it was a thief, it turns out to be Miki Mahiro, a friend of Ichijo’s grandmother. Mahiro owns a produce stand and spent time teaching the woman how to cook before she passed away.
Unique foreign spices and recipe notes were left in the house, and feeling hungry, Ichijo attempts to cook one of the dishes. Stripping naked before digging in, his secret is revealed as Mahiro appears!
Official Pages
HP: https://www.ktv.jp/zenrameshi/
Twitter: ＠lalala_meshi
Instagram: ＠lalala_meshi