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!”

Yutaro will appear in the upcoming drama series Tokyo no Yukiotoko airing on NHK E starting February 4, 2023.

 

The family-centered series is packed with both humor and sorrow and tells the story of humanity living alongside a mysterious other species–the Snow People. Kouichi Yajima, known for his work on Kazeyo Arashiyo, Kounodori, and Busujima Yuriko no Sekirara Nikki, penned the screenplay.

The sequel to the May 2022 suspense drama series Nani ka Okashii (Something’s Strange) is now streaming on the Paravi streaming service. It has been announced that Atarashii Gakko! will provide the theme song titled Suki Lie.

 

The original series featured a mysterious radio program and a murder mystery. The story was first written by occult horror writer Uketsu, whose bestseller Strange House sold over 300,000 copies.

 

<Comment from Atarashii Gakko!>
“We’re honored that our song Suki Lie will be used as the theme song for Nani ka Okashii 2! Thank you so much!
The song is a strange pop tune, and that strangeness makes it perfect for this show. We’re looking forward to the show’s ending, where Uketsu will dance to our choreography! We also get to appear as radio guests in the drama in Episode 12, so keep an eye out!”

Atarashii Gakko!

 

<Comment from Yutaro>
“I’m Yutaro and I’ll be starring in the series as a listener. I’ve been watching Uketsu’s YouTube channel last year, so I was so happy to hear this new story. I really hope you’ll enjoy this unique drama series.”

Yutaro

 

<Comment from Director and Screenwriter Yu Ota (TV Tokyo)>
“Nani ka Okashii 2 is complete. In every episode, someone gets badly hurt, but a bad ending is rarely seen in Japanese dramas. The show sees someone hurt, and the malice born from that action splashes up and hurts someone else, and so on.
The cast for this series is incredible and extremely varied. The people on the radio booth side–who will be playing themselves–were asked to be calm with no connection or interest in horror or drama. On the other hand, those on the other side needed to have stronger personalities.
I’m also so happy to hear the theme song by Atarashii Gakko! Many people on the staff are fans of their music, and we thought it would be incredible to have Uketsu dance to their bizarre choreography as part of the series.”

 

©テレビ東京

Yutaro will star in the TV Tokyo Paravi original drama series Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu (I Will Do It in the Next Life).

 

The series is based on the manga of the same name written by Itsuma-chan and serialized in Shueisha’s Grand Jump. Characters in the series live their lives without boundaries, from sex addicts and BL otaku to virgins and idol addicts. The erotic comedy blends risqué topics with tender and sometimes sad storytelling, giving hope to those facing troubles in their love and sex lives.

 

Prior to the start of the broadcast, the series will pre-stream on the Paravi video service starting December 28, 2022.

 

<Comment from Yutaro (Nagi Kuriyama)>
“This series began in 2020.
I’m so happy to play Nagi-chan in Season 2, the New Year’s Special, and now again. I’m also honored to start 2023 by starring in this series that I have such a strong attachment to. I’ve started feeling the pressure of everyone’s rising expectations for Nagi, and before filming started, I enhanced my sense of beauty, going on a diet to create an even better version of the character. The same incredible director has led me for three years, and I think I’ll be lonely when this is all over.
I’m sure plenty of viewers are wondering if Nagi will have a happy ending after so much bitterness and sadness emerged from him last time. Will he become more powerful in Season 3? After all, a new character is about to appear. Be sure to tune in!”

(C)いつまちゃん／集英社

(C)「来世ではちゃんとします 3」製作委員会

The sequel to the May 2022 suspense drama series Nani ka Okashii (Something’s Strange) is now streaming on the Paravi streaming service. Atarashii Gakko! will provide the theme song titled Suki Lie. The show will air on TV Tokyo in 2023. In addition, actor Yutaro stars in episodes 9-12. 

 

The original series featured a mysterious radio program and a murder mystery. The story was first written by occult horror writer Uketsu, whose bestseller Strange House sold over 300,000 copies.

 

<Comment from Atarashii Gakko!>

“We’re honored that our song Suki Lie will be used as the theme song for Nani ka Okashii 2! Thank you so much!

The song is a strange pop tune, and that strangeness makes it perfect for this show. We’re looking forward to the show’s ending, where Uketsu will dance to our choreography! We also get to appear as radio guests in the drama in Episode 12, so keep an eye out!”

 

<Comment from Yutaro>

“I’m Yutaro and I’ll be starring in the series as a listener. I’ve been watching Uketsu’s YouTube channel last year, so I was so happy to hear this new story. I really hope you’ll enjoy this unique drama series.”

 

<Comment from Director and Screenwriter Yu Ota (TV Tokyo)>

“Nani ka Okashii 2 is complete. In every episode, someone gets badly hurt, but a bad ending is rarely seen in Japanese dramas. The show sees someone hurt, and the malice born from that action splashes up and hurts someone else, and so on. 

The cast for this series is incredible and extremely varied. The people on the radio booth side–who will be playing themselves–were asked to be calm with no connection or interest in horror or drama. On the other hand, those on the other side needed to have stronger personalities.

I’m also so happy to hear the theme song by Atarashii Gakko! Many people on the staff are fans of their music, and we thought it would be incredible to have Uketsu dance to their bizarre choreography as part of the series.”

 

©テレビ東京

The popular actor Yutaro will star in the upcoming film We Are Not Alone, scheduled to release in theaters in December 2022.

 

The film promises to be a unique take on the world of today, focusing heavily on justice, greed, and egoism. It will be directed by Tomoaki Kaneko and produced by yucca. 

The film will ruthlessly depict the contrast between the darkness of adults and today’s youth. It will take place in a desolate shopping district and follow the main character, Shun Miyata (Yutaro), who is not good at interacting with others, and who works part-time at a bento shop. More information will be announced on the official film website soon, so keep an eye out!

 

Comment from Tomoaki Kaneko (Director)

“What are we living for? Everyone has their own story,  their own reasons, and their own justifications. It may seem easy to distinguish between right and wrong, but everyone has their own beliefs, and some of those thoughts may be distorted. Rather than immediately labeling someone as ‘evil,’ the world might be made a little better if we can imagine why people do what they do. 

This film is set in Tokyo, but the story doesn’t depict the standard ‘positive, glamorous, fun’ version of Tokyo, instead telling a more somber and lonely story. The actors expressed themselves in such a powerful way, and I was impressed by the way they took on these challenging roles. 

This story may not be upbeat, but it can be perceived in so many different ways depending on the viewer. I hope that the positivity in the film will come through and inspire everyone to see things from a different angle.”

 

Comment from Yutaro

“I’m Yutaro, and I play Shun Miyata.

I didn’t expect to be cast in the lead role after the audition, so the pressure was immediately on! But when I read the script, I was told by the director and staff that I was the only person who could play the part of Shun. I was immediately determined to do my best. 

The film tells the story of a young man who is slowly moving towards the future and searching for his own right answer. Is love what he imagined it to be, and are the righteous words he’s been saying really righteous at all? I hope you’ll come to see the film in theaters and connect with it in some way. We are not alone.”

 

Summary

Shun Miyata isn’t good at interacting with people. Submitting his work to tons of publishers to fulfill his dream of becoming a novelist, the response isn’t great. Needing a change of pace, he moves to Tokyo and starts working part-time at a bento shop. The friendly and beautiful shopkeeper Yuriko Kodama and another part-time worker Yuka Kosaka welcome him to the city, and his new life in Tokyo seems to be off to a good start.


But happiness doesn’t always last.

One day, Shun and Yuka discover Yuriko’s secret–a brutal plan involving the entire shopping district and the local chairman Saiki.  Agonizing over their inability to take any action, Shun and Yuka begin to grow closer.

 

What are these two young people feeling? An ordinary landscape can hold unexpected darkness, and this work will bring those fears to light. 

Japanese actor and model Yutaro is collaborating with South Korean street brand DOMINANT with a special collection that’s now available worldwide online at 60% – SIXTYPERCENT until July 7.

 

YUTARO x DOMINANT Collaboration T-Shirts

Red/Blue: ¥6,400 Each (Tax & Shipping Included)

 

YUTARO × DOMINANT Collaboration T-Shirts & Half Pants Setup

Red/Blue: ¥14,100 Each (Tax & Shipping Included)

 

YUTARO has always been a huge fan of South Korean fashion, and this is his first time collaborating with a brand from the country, creating a collection entirely from scratch. The items use a hippopotamus motif, which is YUTARO’s favourite animal, wearing his trademark glasses. The t-shirts come with either red or blue neck and sleeve edges, and the half pants are made of a high quality material with an emphasis on the silhouette.

Here at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON, we post news and information about Japan in six languages. Our aim is to deliver a variety of content related to Japan for those who love and enjoy Japanese culture.

 

Right now, people across the globe are in self-isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The same goes for Japan too, so we’ve taken this opportunity to create a new series on the website to show how we’re spending time at home here in Japan. The future is yet uncertain, and we hope for normality to return for all of us soon. We created a new articles series called Stay Home with which we hope to take your mind off the situation, even for just a little bit, to help you feel calmer. It might give you some tips on what you can do while spending time at home.

Today, Japanese actor and model Yutaro shares with us how he has been spending his time at home.

 

1: Gaming

I was recently given a Switch Lite as part of a TV show project, so I’ve been enjoying some Animal Crossing at my leisure. Right now, I’m addicted to farming iron ore. I’m Team Tsubukichi, by the way.

 

2: Music

While I do enjoy listening to my music loud on speakers when I’m at home, when I’m alone and want to lay around while I listen to my music I like to use my AirPods too. I generally always have music playing at home. I’ve recently been into a South Korean band called SURL. You should give them a listen.

 

3: Post-Bath Skin Care

I love baths, so I take a dip most days. I enjoy spending as much time as I like in there, but it’s kind of tricky to take a photo of that, so I’ve taken one of some skin care items I’ve been using recently. CNP is a South Korean brand. It has propolis in it so you feel pretty moisturised afterwards. It’s not too pricey either so I definitely recommend it.

 

4: Cooking

Since I’m spending more time at home now, I’ve been coming up with recipes to cook everyday for me and my sister who is staying with me.

 

I made curry on this day. It’s full of meat and veg which we had with brown rice, something I’m crazy about again. It’s surprisingly easy to share roles, so I’ve come to enjoy cooking for myself recently. A guy cooking for himselfーthat’s a typical image of a model, isn’t it?

 

The curry I made was a portion for 3 days.

 

Bonus: Hammock

I’m generally the kind of person who’s not good with staying indoors, so I ended up splurging on a hammock which I can use when I want to feel the outside air. Rolling around in this for about 10 minutes when the weather’s nice, or after a bath, or eating ice cream while listening to music is enough to make me happy.

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

If I think about it too much I’ll end up suggesting too many things. I don’t think about it too much and just do plenty of the things I want to do right now, or things that I can only do now because of the situation. I’m using my time luxuriously.

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

Just like everyone else, I’m itching as the days go by, but it’s all about taking advantage of the situation to do what you can. I’m enjoying gaming online to my heart’s content, face timing my family and laughing, learning Korean from my friend, relaxing and swaying in my hammock, finding challenging myself to cooking surprisingly fun, and so on. There are lots of things to do to feel happiness in these times, so I want people to make their time worthwhile. Let’s all get through this together!

Inspired by their Fast Rider sneakers from the 80’s, PUMA has forged two new models of the running shoes: the Future Rider Ride On and Style Rider Ride On. A special website went live in Japan featuring Japanese actor and model Yutaro as the model for promoting the sneakers.

The new models feature a cool and fun street style design for the new generation while retaining but revamping that retro look. Yutaro, who began his career from the age of 15 working in a second-hand clothing store and eventually went into modellingーand this year featured in the Japanese drama series Sherlockーdons the Ride On’s and walks the streets of Tokyo in the photo shoot wearing outfits co-ordinated by himself.

 

In an interview for the promotion, Yutaro looked back at the complexes and indifferent personality of his past and how he grew as an individual after getting into modelling and working. He said his world became more colourful like the Ride On sneakers.

Future Rider Ride On

These sneakers feature an iconic pop style combining vibrant colours like neon green, red, and blue. The lightweight uppers are made from ripstop nylon with a suede overlay an minimum padding. The mid soles are made from the new Rider Foam which has high resilience. The outer soles and TPU stabilisers are made with superior comfort and stability in mind.

Style Rider Ride On

The eye-catching blue Style Rider Rider On’s are made with TPU gel and boast an upfront fun street style. These sneakers are also made with the newly-developed Rider Foam on the mid soles. The thick mid soles are lightweight and cushioned, and the sneakers enjoy a strong grip.

Both styles have ridden the wave of generations to reappear in current times. Be sure to check out the special website featuring more content with Yutaro and Riders.

It’s been a while since our last date with Yutaro. He’s been very busy with film shoots. He had some spare time today so we paid a visit to Nihonbashi for our next date. “ECO EDO Nihonbashi: Enjoy Cool Edo With All Five Senses” is an event held every year in the Nihonbashi area which takes the Edo period cultural idea of “coolness”―an in, to enjoy being cool during the summer－and puts a modern spin on it. There are many exciting things to look forward to, including the art aquarium which proves massively popular every year.

 

We gave ourselves more time to arrive at the meeting place to be in the safe side, but it seems Yutaro-kun was already there waiting for us!

Nihonbashi Information Center | IPPIN CAFÉ “Sparkling Herb Tea” – ¥518 (Tax Included)

“Here, you must be boiling.” Yutaro-kun kindly offers a cup of IPPIN CAFE’s limited-edition sparkling herb tea. It’s a delicious mix of fizzy soda and lemon, a perfect refreshment for the summer. Since he ordered takeout the drink came with a goldfish straw. Goldfish are a staple sight during Japanese summer festivals so it’s very fitting for the occasion! 

 

With our drinks in hand, it’s time to head to Nihonbashi for our Edo summer date!

Wind-Chime Forest Path

Lining the path between Fukutoku Shrine and Fukutoku Garden is the Wind-Chime Forest Path where around 200 Edo-style wind chimes dangled. This year, during the evenings, the path is illuminated with beautiful lighting. 

When the breeze rolls past the wind chimes ring one by one－a cool and refreshing sound.

“I hear each one of these Edo wind chimes are individually handmade by craftsmen.”

When you hear the sound of the wind chimes it makes you feel cool like a gentle breeze of the wind.

 

After strolling along the Wind-Chime Forest Path we make our way towards this year’s ECO EDO Art Aquarium event.

The moment we step instead Yutaro is already dazzled by all the goldfish: “Wow! I knew about this place from what I’d seen online, but this my first time here! This art aquarium really is something!”

 

The full title of the event is “ECO EDO Nihonbashi ART AQUARIUM 2019 ~Edo, Coolness of Kingyo~ & Night Aquarium.”  Goldfish were a huge part of the common culture in Nihonbashi during the Edo period. This event recreates that and brings that “coolness” aspect while combining it with contemporary art by having people observe the fish in lots of different artistic environments.

Super Oiran

“This is the biggest fish tank, apparently it has 3,000 fish swimming inside!”

“Seeing the light reflect on the water from the illuminations lets you see the fish in a different light, doesn’t it?”

Looks like Yutaro-kun is having a lot of fun taking photos.

He’s equally interested in just about every fish tank!

These other fish tanks have a different aesthetic to them. Their Japanese-style designs make for great photos.

Kaleidorium 3D

“This one’s beautiful, it’s like a kaleidoscope.”

It really does look like one. When you take a peek instead you can glimpse all kinds of colourful fish gently swimming around.

Ceiling Kingyo

“There’re goldfish swimming on the ceiling too. So cool! This aquarium is incredible. It brings together the great culture of Edo and contemporary art.”

 

The Art Aquarium bustles every single year with visitors, but this year will mark its last run. It’s being held at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, so if you have the chance to go then please do.

We of course checked out some local Nihonbashi treats too! We stopped by morozoff for some cheesecake after the aquarium.

morozoff Kamadashi Cheesecake (Goldfish) – ¥270 Each (Tax Included)

These cute cheesecakes with their goldfish designs are available for a limited time only. They’re filled with sweet red bean paste. They perfect with iced tea.

“Got some! Let’s eat them while we head back.”

Goldfish Lantern Walkway

Our first date in Nihonbashi was so much fun. While on the date Yutaro-kun spoke about the new live-action film he’s in, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.

 

“It’s a romance film with mind games to try and make the other person confess their love. I play the character Tsubasa. His number one highlight scene is the kabedon scene. That was my first day shooting, so I was super nervous, but I got along well with the other actors, and the atmosphere on set was harmonious, so I was able to relax for the shoots. Tsubasa is a genuine guy who will believe things that have been said to him in earnest. You’ve definitely gotta check out all his scenes throughout the film!”

 

“A lot of the cast are the same age as me, so we were all energetic together in the waiting room. There’s a scene at the end where all the cast get together. It took 3 days to shoot so we ended up getting along really well.”

 

“This film has made me realise that love comes in many shapes, and that mind games happen in a variety of ways between guys and girls. There’s cute scenes that express that small bit of pride that teenagers have, the embarassment they feel, when they get butterflies, scenes that will warm your heart. The film has various elements to it so I thoroughly enjoyed watching it myself. I hope that couples in love in their teens and twenties watch it, and I also hope that married couples watch it and crack up laughing too.”

 

“In the film it’s summer break, and they go and see fireworks and stuff. It’s definitely one to watch durnig the summer. You’re gonna come watch it too, right? Shall we go?”

 

An offer we cannot refuse! We’ll definitely go and see it with you, Yutaro-kun! 

 

Model: Yutaro

Writer: Yuki Yokoo

Photographer: Kayo Sekiguchi

The 2018 Argentine-Spanish true crime film El Angel is set to hit theatres in Japan this year on August 16.

The movie is inspired by the real-life Argentine serial killer Carlos Robledo Puch. It was screened at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was chosen for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards in the Argentine category. The film caught public attention and has enjoyed great success, and that’s in huge part thanks to Argentina actor Lorenzo Ferro, a newcomer who has made his acting debut with his role as Puch. He plays the character naturally and effortlessly, capturing the seemingly “pure” looks of Puch coupled with his evil intent, a killer who had free reigns to do whatever he needed to do to achieve his goal. The 60s-70s fashion that Ferro dons in the film is also a highlight worthy of note.

 

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON spoke to Ferro who came to Japan to promote the film, and Yutaro, who is the same age as Ferro, and is a model that has recently become very busy in the acting world. We questioned them about them about the film, the character role, and fashion.

*Interview translated from Japanese.

──What are your thoughts after having seen El Angel, Yutaro?

 

Yutaro: This was actually my first time watching an Argentine movie. The first thing that piqued my interest was the unique sound of the language. With the story, when I heard that it was about a serial killer I thought it would be a pretty graphic portrayal, but it wasn’t. Even people who aren’t good with graphic and shocking kinds of films would be able to watch this.

 

──That kind of reasoning and moral compass [which the film depicts] makes you feel kind of uneasy, doesn’t it?

 

Yutaro: Obviously the things that the protagonist Carlos does is against the law and morally wicked, but he himself doesn’t believe any little thing he does is bad. He moves on instinct which in his mind is somehow acceptable, and that’s dangerous. Was it hard for you to create the character, Lorenzo?

 

Lorenzo: It really was tough. I hadn’t played a character until then, so the first thing I had to learn was just being in front of a camera. Playing the role came after. I had to become “friends” with the movie and “friends” with the camera. Those were the first things I needed to do to fulfill my commitment.

 

The whole shoot took around a month and a half, but prep time was half a year. During that time I practised playing piano and mastered riding a bike. It was a lot of work, but when I finally saw the completed movie, I felt it was definitely worth all the effort.

 

Yutaro: When you’re playing someone who is far from anything like yourself, prep time is really important, isn’t it? You have to gather material on the role and really use your imagination. I also make sure to properly communicate with the director before shoots. I ask about the film’s theme and intent. If our perceptions don’t match then it’s not going to hold up on screen.

Lorenzo: It’s definitely important to respect the director and communicate with them effectively. When we were filming, I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget to see the director as a friend. For instance, if the hierarchal relationship is overly strict and the director is the kind of person to look down on you and order you around, then you can’t build trust. I also think the best kind of relationship is when you can give your own opinion. Saying to them like, “That was no good, was it?” [laughs] “Why do I gotta do the same thing 40 times!?” You should be frank and express your doubts.

 

Yutaro: Speaking of that, it’s important to have trust with your fellow cast members too. I believe that even if you’re filming together, if you can’t build that trust, that subtle distance between you will be conveyed [in the scene]. You yourself have got to try and converse with them in a positive manner. Go out for a meal together before a shoot, talk together about your roles.

──You live your days laboriously, Yutaro, including as an actor. What does a time look like for you when things get particularly tough?

 

Yutaro: I’ve recently been doing a lot of shoots for multiple films at the same time. When that happens I find it very important to maintain retention so that I don’t forget my roles. In that sense, I also find that it’s important to look at how you spend your time outside of shoots when you’re working an acting job.

 

Lorenzo: Oh, yeah! Having spare time during shoots is a curse as an actor [laughs] Even if you fire yourself up―preparations are done, you’ve done your warmups, and you say, “Right, time to shoot!”―you have to start from zero again if you have time until the next shoot. That happens quite a lot.

 

──So you’re demanded to have self-discipline too. El Angel is set in 1970s Buenos Aires. The fashion and interior designs seen in the film really stood out.

 

Yutaro: For me personally the women’s clothes left an impression on me, particularly the one piece that Carlos’s mother wears. The clothes that Carlos wears in each scene too. They’re plain and simple but cool. I liked the leather jacket he wore when he went on a double date with his pal Ramón.

 

Lorenzo: Wow, you really took in at all the little details. The influence for Carlos and Ramón was drawn heavily from James Dean and Marlon Brando who were both popular actors at the time.

 

Yutaro: Oh, really?

Lorenzo: Like smoking cigarettes and wearing a leather jacket. We naturally had an amazing stylist who prepared our outfits for us. We were both also conscious of people like James Dean and Marlon Brando when we played Carlos and Ramón.

──What kind of clothes do you like, Lorenzo?

 

Lorenzo: I usually wear the kind of thing I have on now. I have a lot of rough-looking clothes. I really like fashion, my wardrobe is packed [laughs] The more clothes you have the harder it is to decide what to wear, so I really want to just wear the same t-shirt, pants and shoes all the time [laughs].

 

Yutaro: I looked at your Instagram, you wear t-shirts with Japanese games and anime characters on them, don’t you? You have a Super Mario one on today, and I saw a Pokémon one on your Instagram. I like how you venture to wear t-shirts of games that were popular a while back now.

 

Lorenzo: Really? Thanks, that makes me happy. The overalls you have on now are really cute, but I think that’s because it’s something that would suit you. If I wore something like that I’d probably look like a clown [laughs].

Yutaro: Do you have a criteria when picking out a character t-shirt?

 

Lorenzo: Well, I try not to wear t-shirts of franchises I don’t like, or games I haven’t played yet, or of bands I’ve never listened to before [laughs]. I’m wearing a Mario t-shirt today but there’s still much I don’t know about Japanese games or culture. I’m interested in many different cultures of many different countries, so I want to know more about Japan.

 

Yutaro: In that case, let’s go shopping together in Harajuku next time!

 

Writer: Takanori Kuroda

Photographer: MURA

Models: Yutaro, Lorenzo Ferro

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

 

©2018 CAPITAL INTELECTUAL S.A / UNDERGROUND PRODUCCIONES / EL DESEO

Shibuya―Tokyo’s central hub for youth culture and fashion trends. This commercial and business centre is one that never sleeps: it is always bustling with people enjoying themselves whether that be shopping with friends, going on dates with their special someone, and pretty much anything you can think of a young person doing in one of the most popular parts of a city like Tokyo.

 

This is where Yutaro-kun is taking me on our next long-awaited next date. It’s little more of a grown-up date than usual this time as we’re going to an izakaya. Yutaro-kun is crazy about umeshu, or “plum wine,” so he’s taking me to a place that stocks a wide variety of tasty drinks. This is our first time drinking together. My heart is pounding.

Our destination is Sai, an izakaya with private booths and charcoal fires for cooking yakitori. It’s a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit. It’s on the third floor of the building directly in front of the Udagawa Kōban police station. The bar has around 100 varieties of umeshu as well as food and meals made using them. The wall is lined with wine bottles as far as the eye can see. I’m already getting excited.

The menu lists where each wine is produced by prefecture along with descriptions of each drink. I’m interested in trying the umeshu from the region I was born in, but there’s lots of other delicious sound ones too so I’m spoiled for choice.

“What shall we do? Want to compare different drinks?”

Yutaro-kun is quick to jump on board the idea. He’s so manly!

Umeshu Taste-Comparing Set (3 Drinks): ¥1,000

This taste-comparing set comes with three types of umeshu. It’s an ‘introductory-level’ set that rings true as all three varieties are very easy to drink and each of their flavours are completely different. The Akatan Umeshu produced in Nara Prefecture is made with unripened plums farmed from Nara. It has a refreshing taste and the flavour of the plums is very rich. The Kishu no Yuzu Umeshu from Wakayama is made with plums from Wakayama Prefecture and the fresh juice of yuzu fruits from Tokushima Prefecture. It’s sweet and sour with a refreshing flavour complemented by the citrus fruits. The Hotei Fuku Ume Nigori Umeshu from Osaka is made from highly valuable plum wine that has been aged over a long period of time. It’s mixed with plum jam and pieces of fresh plum to give it a sweet and thick texture.

As well as this introductory-level set there’s the mid-level set that focuses on shochu, an upper-level set with a wide variety of drinks, and an extra set that features fruit sake.

“Mm, this one’s delicious! It has a real citrus-y feel. Ah, but the Hotei Fuku is good too.”

Yutaro-kun looks like he’s really enjoying drinking and comparing the different varieties of umeshu.

My heart beats fast seeing his adult side drinking sake. Huh, am I drunk already?

 

Zeppin Caesar Salad: ¥780

The Caesar salad comes with a specially-made egg salad dressing made from soft-boiled eggs. It’s fun mixing the dressing. After mixing it enough we pour it over and tuck in!

“Do you eat tomatoes?”

I’m happy how considerate he is in portioning out the salad.

Seafood Carpaccio: ¥720

We both enjoy a carpaccio together made with fresh fish bought on the day and a jelly made with Kishu Akai Umeshu. Today’s fish ingredient was fatty salmon!

The amazing flavour of the salmon comes through the centre of the refreshing umeshu jelly.

Pork Spare Ribs: ¥820

Kishu Umeshu is this izakaya’s No. 1 recommendation. These spare ribs are cooked slowly in it, giving them a rich and intense flavour as well as a subtle sweetness.

They’re too delicious I could eat as many as they’d give me!

“So tender! So delicious! This is true happiness!”

 

Yutaro-kun never changes, he’s always so energetic when eating something tasty.

“Thank you for the meal.”

 

The umeshu and umeshu food was amazing, but what makes me happy more than anything is that I got to drink with Yutaro-kun. I wonder where our next date will take us?