earth and sky, colors and dreams

Planned Projects: Fall 2026

2026-07-29T03:52:41Z

Announcing subbing projects!

"Rosanjin no Kamodo"

Just 4 episodes...

Two works by Minamoto Takashi that remain unsubbed.
Will announce the titles soon.

Tentative: "Shinya Shokudo 2026".

Still early, but thought it's best to reserve for this. And if NF will stream it, then I'll drop it.

Tentative NEW! Oishī no tsukuri kata
Matsushige Yutaka's 2nd work as writer and director has been announced!
It will be streamed on Prime Video, so more likely it will have EN subs.
Just waiting for confirmation, and if it is so, then I'll drop it.

That's all for now~

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Kodoku no Gurume Season 11: Drama Notes

2026-06-15T00:25:12Z

Here are some explanatory notes, trivia, and (mostly) filming locations.
Warning: LONG POST AHEAD!
Also included my thoughts/opinions for KNG Season 11 at the very end of this post:

EPISODE 1:

Featured Shop "Home Cooking Harune" [おうちごはんはるね]
Address: 5559-8 Oba, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Street View: (link)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Zengo Station; approximately 30 minutes by bus and on foot from Tsujido Station

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

11:00-22:00 (Last Order: Food 21:00, Drinks 21:30)

Sunday: 11:30-15:00

Closed on Thursdays
Shop's SNS: (link)

Shop's requests/reminders:

Opening hours and closing days may change, so please check with the store before visiting.
As we are located in a quiet residential area, please refrain from speaking loudly outside the store.
Please refrain from staying outside the store for extended periods.
Please be mindful of noise when parking or parking bicycles.
We only have 3 parking spaces, so please use public transportation whenever possible.
If you are coming after seeing us on TV, please try to visit during the daytime.

Featured Station: Zengyo Station (West Exit)
Address: 1 Chome Zengyo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa
Street View: (link)

Featured Dishes:
Saba Mirin: "a classic Japanese dish of mackerel (saba) marinated and grilled in a sweet rice wine (mirin) glaze. It features a savory-sweet flavor, a tender flaky texture, and a caramelized crust."
Saba Bunkaboshi: Bunkaboshi is "a traditional Japanese method of making semi-dried fish without using sunlight, typically by brining fillets and drying them in controlled indoor environments or wrapped in special permeable cellophane.

"Some parts of the video were generated using AI".
This was shown at the end credits at the end of the episode for the very first time in this show's 14 year history. It created a buzz online with people finding it surprising, and trying to guess which part was AI. Some say it was the steam from the food, the pictures on the brochure held by Goro's client, or even the little girl playing the violin(?) haha. As of now, the show hasn't revealed which part was AI generated but my guess is the exterior shot of the music teacher's house and sign (the slow AI-ish movement of the "camera" and the unusual color grading were the giveaways for me). There were no mentions of using AI for the entire remainder of the season, it was only for this episode. My hunch is they only resorted to AI due to an emergency or maybe the show's staff forgot to film this part or what they have cannot be used so they had to come up with one fast, using AI. Though I'm not really keen on the use of AI to replace real actors, still kudos to the SPX/AI team since it hardly seemed noticeable.
Update! I found out that it's a real house and music school: SHIMIZU MUSIC SCHOOL [清水音楽工房].
Address: 2917-2 Tsutsumi, Chigasaki, Kanagawa
(STREET VIEW).

Was this shot, AI-generated?

EPISODE 2:

Featured Shop: "Indian Restaurant Nishiazabu by KENBOKKE" [インディアンレストラン西麻布 by KENBOKKE]
Address: 2F, 4-11-28 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Street View: (link)

Access: 10-minute walk from Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro) / 10-minute walk from Hiroo Station

Business Hours: 11:30-14:30 / 17:30-22:30

Closed: Sundays and public holidays
Shop's SNS: (link)
Shop's requests/reminders:

There is no parking available, so please come by public transport.
Only the a la carte menu is available on Saturdays. (The weekday lunch menu is not available.)
Reservations accepted

Featured Station: There is no station shown but it is assumed Goro got off at Roppongi Station
Address: 9 Chome-7-39 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan

Other filming locations:
Wagaya Electronic Shop [ワガヤ電気商会]: 4 Chome-19-11 Nishiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)
Hiroo North Park [広尾北公園]: 4 Chome-1-40 Hiroo, Shibuya, Tokyo
Street View: (link)

Goro's "nice walking route":
The start of the episode featured Goro's walk from Roponggi Station, crossing the intersection of Gaiennishi Dori, and turning left to the Nishiazabu neighborhood. I found it unusual because I think this is the first time we see a very detailed walk done by Goro, and pretty long and accurate too, not some random, picturesque street. There were no lines/monologue at first, just silence, as if to bring focus on this walking path. However, after his visit to the Wagaya Shop, he went in random, senseless circles around the neighborhood (he even circled back to Wagaya shop at some point) before stopping at Hiroo Park to drink coffee. After that, he went back to Roppongi-Dori where the Indian resto is located. So for those who would like to make the same KNG pilgrimage walk from station to the electronic shop, I traced Goro's exact path using Google Maps:

Goro's Exact Walking Route from the station to the electrician's shop

EPISODE 3:

Featured Shop: Sichuan home cooking NAKAHORA [四川家庭料理中洞]
Address: 4-43-5 Sengoku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Street View: (link)
Access: 6-minute walk from JR Sugamo Station / 6-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Sengoku Station

Business Hours: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, and Public Holidays (11:30-13:30; 17:30-20:30)

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Shop's SNS: (link)

Shop's requests/reminders:

If a public holiday falls on a regular closing day, we will be open and closed the following weekday. Other temporary closures will be announced on our social media (link above).
Credit cards are accepted for payments of 10,000 yen or more.
During lunchtime, we do not accept reservations for anything other than hot pot or set courses.
The owner is very sensitive to smells, so we ask that you refrain from visiting if you are wearing strong fragrances such as perfume or fabric softener.
We also ask that you refrain from visiting immediately after smoking.

Featured Station: Sengoku Station [千石駅]

Address: 1 Chome-29-13 Sengoku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)

Other filming location:

Self Laundry Sengoku [セルフランドリー千石]. A coin laundry with a kids' space, charging counters, and even gachapon machines
Address: Tokyo, Bunkyo City, Sengoku, 4 Chome−1−9-102
Street View: (link)

EPISODE 4:

Featured Shop: Taverna La Messe [タベルナラ・メッセ]
Address: 3 Chome-3-17 Asahicho, Atsugi, Kanagawa
Street View: (link)
Access: 4-minute walk from Hon-Atsugi Station on the Odakyu Line

Business Hours: 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on Fridays only)
Closed: Mondays
Shop's SNS: (link)
Shop's requests/reminders:

Please cancel at least one day in advance. Cancellations made on the day of the reservation may incur a fee.
There is one parking space in front of the store, and 13 spaces in the shared parking lot across the street with Saishoji Temple.
More info from their website.

Other filming sites:
Gallery Kissaten Nayotake [ぎゃらりー喫茶なよたけ]. Coffeeshop where Goro met with a client.
Address: Kanagawa, Atsugi, Nakacho, 1 Chome−6−1
Street View: (link)
"Welcome to Atsugi City" Sign. Where Goro was walking with a huge "welcome" sign at the back.
Address: 5 Atsugichō, Atsugi, Kanagawa
Street View (link)
Embankment along Sagami River. Where Goro was contemplating about his meeting with the client, and declared "I am hungry!" Fairly near where the Taverna La Messe is.
Street View: (link)

Featured Dish:
Spleen Panini. Based on pani câ meusa, a Sicilian street food, typical of Palermo and it consists of a soft bread (locally called vastedda or vastella) topped with sesame, stuffed with chopped veal lung and spleen that have been boiled and then fried in lard.

EPISODE 5:

Featured Shop: Thanh Ha [タンハー]

Address: 3050 Kami-Iida-cho, Izumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Street View: (link)
Access: 20-minute walk from Koza-Shibuya Station on the Odakyu Line

Business Hours: 10:00-20:00

Closed: Thursdays
Shop's requests/reminders:

Please refrain from calling the store. The store phone number that appears in the drama is no longer in use.
Parking available.
You can also shop for Vietnamese ingredients inside the store.

Icho Danchi. [いちょう団地 ] One of the largest prefectural housing complexes in Kanagawa Prefecture. I have not verified this but Incho Danchi might have been the inspiration for "Homeland" Ep 9 story of Cold Case Season 3, where the setting is a housing complex with many foreign nationals as residents. The main setting of Cold Case is in Yokohama, Kanagawa after all. Read this interesting article on how Japanese and foreign nationals in the area have had issues/clashes with each other, and how efforts were done to build trust and live in harmony (it also talked about the featured shop).
Address: Kanagawa, Yokohama, Izumi Ward, Kamiiidacho, Icho Housing Complex, Building 32
Street View of the Icho Danchi Bus Stop: (link)

Koma Farm. Setting of Yoshimura Farm.
Address: 3602 Kamiiidacho, Izumi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Street View: (link)

Access: Approximately 24 minutes from Koza-Shibuya Station on the Odakyu Line

Business Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM / Saturdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Other Filming Sites:

The Three Vietnamese Shops in a Row. Address: Kanagawa, Yokohama, Izumi Ward, Kamiiidacho, 3173 Maple Nakawada 1st Floor
Street View: (link)
Icho Mart. Building where Goro went in to find more stores inside. Address: Icho Housing Complex Building 32
Street View: (link)

Goro Sleeping on the Bus. The end scene where Goro was nodding off was in reference to his ending scene in Season 4 Ep 11 where he also dozed off after eating at a Vietnamese resto.

EPISODE 6:

Featured Shop: Steakhouse TEPPANYAKI FUJI [ステーキハウス鉄板焼不二]
Address: 3-13-17 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Street View: (link)
Access: 3-minute walk from Ikejiri-Ohashi Station on the Den-en-toshi Line

Business Hours: 11:00-14:00 / 17:00-22:00

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Shop's requests/reminders:

Opening hours and closing days may change, so please check with the store before visiting.
Please do not take photos inside the store without permission using your smartphone or other devices.
Reservations are not accepted for lunch. Please make a reservation for dinner.

Featured Station: Ikejiri-Ohashi Station [池尻大橋駅] East Exit

Address: 3-chōme-2 Higashiyama, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0043, Japan

Street View: (link)

The Globe Antique. Where Goro shops for vintage items for a client's Scottish whiskey bar. This shop is a 3-level store offering old-fashioned European-style furniture, light fixtures & home decor accents.
Address: 2 Chome-7-8 Ikejiri, Setagaya City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)

Other filming sites:
Grill Miyoshiya. Goro stopped at this shop which he described as shibui, but it was full. Just a corner away from Teppanyaki Fuji.
Address: 3-chōme-14 Higashiyama, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0043, Japan
Street View: (link)

Soul Food Bangkok. Goro tried to eat at this shop but it was closed
Address: Tokyo, Meguro City, Higashiyama, 3 Chome−15−2 Sonar Second Building
Street View: (link)

EPISODE 7:

Featured Shop: Kiratei [吉良亭]
Address: 2-8-12 Jujo Nakahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo
Street View: (link)
Access: 9-minute walk from JR Higashi-Jujo Station or Jujo Station

Business Hours: 12:00-14:00 / 18:00-22:00

Closed: Mondays
Shop's SNS: (link)
Shop's requests/reminders:

We will close once we run out of ingredients.
Using seasonal ingredients, the menu changes with each procurement

Featured Station: Higashi-Jujo Station [東十条駅] North Exit

Address: 3-chōme-18 Higashijūjō, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0001, Japan

Street View: (link)

Gallery Sanga [画廊山河]. The gallery Goro visited with relation to a job request. Btw, [山河] can be read as "Sanga" or "Yamakawa". In the subs, I translated it as "Gallery Yamakawa" because guest star Miyake Hiroki's character's name is Yamakawa, the gallery owner.
Address: 1 Chome-15-12 Kamijujo, Kita City, Tokyo
Street View: (link). Btw, it's worth noting that street view photo is from 2025 and the building in front of the gallery had already been torn down or no longer exists as shown in the drama.

Shokudo Taya. The resto where Goro ate in Season 2, Episode 10 (2012). There were "reenactments" done in honor of that episode, which included him rushing out the door in search of food to eat. This is really just a few meters away from Gallery Sanga. In reality, this is a bit of a long walk from the featured resto Kiratei.
Address: 2 Chome-22-2 Nakajujo, Kita City, Tokyo
Street View (link)

Jujo Ginza Shopping Street/Mall. Where Goro reenacted his walk through the Jujo-Ginza shopping street (watch here), notice the changes with the surrounding buildings after 14 years. A viewer mentioned that the area has been undergoing redevelopment for some time now, hence many old shops, buildings, and houses were torn down, replaced with either empty lots popping up (like in front of Gallery Sanga) or new buildings being built.
Address: 1 Chome-25-12 Jujonakahara, Kita City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)

Torifuji. The shop where Goro stopped (for the second time!) to look at the food displayed.
Address: 2 Chome-2-5 Jujonakahara, Kita City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)
Notice that the background is not the same from the previous Season 2 episode. A viewer said: "Torifuji used to be right across from Kiratei back in the day, but due to the building's deterioration, it relocated about 100 meters toward Jujo Station". If you look at this still image below from 2012, Kiratei's sign can be seen behind him to his right (encircled in red):

In this picture from 2012, you can see the sign of "Kiratei" restaurant which he will eventually visit in 2026

Added note: The street view link I posted above of Kiratei is just 4 years old. But if you look at this 2026 episode, when Goro was standing in front of Kiratei, the buildings on both the left and right side of Kiratei are just empty lots now, so there's speculation that Kiratei is next to be affected, and might have to move to another location as well.

EPISODE 8:

Featured Shop: Taiwanese Cuisine SUIHOU [台湾料理翠芳]
Address: 3-7-18 Higashi, Hasuda City, Saitama Prefecture
Street View: (link)
Access: 9-minute walk from JR Hasuda Station

Business Hours: 11:30-14:30 / 17:30-21:30

Closed: Sundays and Mondays

Shop's requests/reminders:

Cash only
3 parking spaces only
We may be closed irregularly.
Please refrain from lining up in front of the store.
As the store is run by the proprietress alone, it may take some time for your order to be served.

Featured Station: Hasuda Station [蓮田駅] East Exit
Address: 1 Honchō, Hasuda, Saitama 349-0123, Japan
Street View: (link)

Miyamae Bridge [宮前橋]. Goro was walking on this green bridge crossing Moto-Arakawa river on the way to Kameda Calligraphy School.
Address: 2-5 Higashi, Hasuda City, Saitama Prefecture
Street View: (link)

Kameda Calligraphy Class [亀田書道教室]. Goro visited this house of a calligraphy teacher. It is indeed near the end of Miyamae Bridge.
Address: 1 Chome-3-14 Midoricho, Hasuda, Saitama 349-0104, Japan
Street View: (link)

One of the most difficult kanji to write. It's 𰻞 [bian], having 56 strokes. Wiktionary link HERE. And a video HERE to see how it is written.

First KNG Woman Director. This episode marked the first time a female director was assigned, Tao Ayami. Also this episode was written by a woman, Kodama Yoriko (who also penned KNG episodes every so often in the past seasons), so it's a women empowered episode!

EPISODE 9:

Featured Shop: ECHIGOYA [越後屋]
Address: 2 Chome-20-38 Daishuku, Toride, Ibaraki 302-0013, Japan
Street View: (link)
Access: 14-minute walk from JR Toride Station

Business Hours: 11:30 - 13:30 or until everything is sold out

Closed: Wednesdays
Shop's requests/reminders

Cash only
No parking available
Not open in the evenings.
As owner makes everything himself, please refrain from visiting if you are short on time.

Featured Station: Toride Station [取手駅]
Address: 2 Chūōchō, Toride, Ibaraki 302-0014, Japan
Street View: (link)

Ino Community Center. Where the Ino Artists Village is located (website here)
Address: 3 Inodanchi, Toride, Ibaraki
Street View: (link)

Sloping Road Scene. Had a hard time looking for this sloping road where Goro was looking a for a shop but managed to find it! Near Echigoya shop.
Street View (link)

First time Ibaraki Prefecture was featured as a main setting. Goro has featured shops from all prefectures in the Kanto region except for Ibaraki until now.

EPISODE 10:

Featured Shop: Aji Specialty Shop FLYDAY [アジフライ専門店フライデイ]
Address: 618-1 Owada, Ichihara, Chiba
Street View: (link)
Access: 4 minutes by car from Takataki Station on the Kominato Railway

Business Hours: 11am - 4pm (or until sold out)

Closed: Tuesdays
Shop's SNS: (link)
Shop's requests/reminders:

Open for lunch only.
Reservations for 11:00 AM are accepted by phone, but please make your reservation on the day before. We do not accept same-day reservations.
However, we may not be able to answer the phone just before opening or when it is busy. In that case, please call again after 3:00 PM.
In addition to the parking lot on the premises, we also have a second parking lot nearby. Please use that if the main parking lot is full or if you are coming with multiple cars.
Takeout is available, but if there are many customers waiting in line, we may ask you to limit your order to dine-in only.
Prices and the contents of the daily fresh fish and seasonal vegetables may change depending on the season and availability of ingredients.

Featured Station: Takataki Station [高滝駅]. Unmanned station where Goro had to call for a taxi.
Address: Takataki 737, Ichihara, Chiba
Street View: (link)

Fusa no Eki Farm [房の駅農場]. The location where the fictional sweet potato farm was filmed. This place is the direct sales office and factory for their produce, mainly strawberries but they grow other crops too, like sweet potatoes which they make into dried sweet potato product called "Yosei no Hi-Imo". Featured resto "Flyday" is nearby.
Address: 697-1 Yamakogawa, Ichihara, Chiba
Street View: (link)

EPISODE 11:

Featured Shop: Maguroya [まぐろや]
Address: 1509-1 Nakadai, Yokoshibahikari-machi, Sanbu-gun, Chiba Prefecture
Street View: (link)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Matsuo Station or Yokoshiba Station; approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Narita Airport Station

Business Hours: 11:00 - 14:00

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Shop's SNS: (link)

Shop's requests/reminders:

Cash only.
No evening hours.
Parking available for over 10 cars.
Online store available (link)

Yokoshibahikari Town Municipal Nanjo Elementary School [横芝光町立南条小学校]. An elementary school that closed on March 31, 2020. It now serves as a camp site and work space known as "CAMPiece", utilizing the diverse spaces, such as classrooms, music rooms, and science labs, to arrange meetings, work, and networking as one likes. The schoolyard can be used as tent sites, concentrating on work during the day and relaxing by a bonfire or under the starry sky at dusk.
Address: Chiba, Sambu District, Yokoshibahikari, Kotabe 1045
Street View: (link)

The Gorilla Delivery. A viewer had asked me about a certain part of the dialoge between Goro and his client, regarding cancelling "that delivery". I realized it's a bit confusing so I will explain it here:

Takano: "I'm sorry (for all the trouble), especially since you went to the trouble of arranging the delivery."

Goro: "(It's okay) I've already canceled that delivery. More importantly, I'm glad next week's event can be held tomorrow."

Takano: "I really wanted to avoid canceling it due to rain."

Explanation: The event was supposed to be held the following week but was canceled due to forecast of inclement weather. Goro who originally arranged that the gorilla be delivered by a courier next week, had to cancel that delivery. But then, we assume that Takano made a last minute decision to hold the event earlier than expected, which was "tomorrow". Since it was already too late to arrange a delivery, Goro decided to deliver it himself.

EPISODE 12:

Featured Shop: Restaurant TOKIWA [御食事処ときわ]
Address: 3 Chome-8-2 Takasago, Katsushika City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)
Access: 2-minute walk from Keisei Takasago Station

Business Hours: 11:30-15:00 / 17:00-22:00

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Shop's requests/reminders:

No smoking
No credit cards accepted & QR payment accepted
No parking available.
Food may take some time to be served.
You may be seated with other customers.

Featured Station: Keisei Takasago Station [京成高砂駅] South Exit.
Address: 5-chōme-28 Takasago, Katsushika City, Tokyo
Street View: (link)

Snack Ajisai [スナック紫陽花]. Snack bar where Goro met with a client.
Address: 2 Chome-17-2 Takasago, Katsushika City, Tokyo
Shop's SNS: (link)
Street View: (link)

FINALLY, MY OVERALL NOTES FOR SEASON 11:

As a lot of viewers have noticed, including Qusumi, that Season 11 had a "back to basics" feel that was more bringing back the laid-back atmosphere of Season 1.

There was less use of the fast-paced BGM music especially "Kuraimax [喰らいマックス]" that is usually played when Goro hurries up in finishing his food. "Kuraimax" has different versions btw, but it is usually upbeat and fast paced. I personally did not notice so I reviewed the episodes. There were many episodes at first that had a soft jazzy background music as Goro finishes the meal. Starting Ep 6, a mild upbeat music was used but it was not as upbeat as "Kuraimax". Many viewers again think it was more as a return to the atmosphere of Season 1, and shift the focus more on the feeling of quietly savoring and finishing the meal in a relaxed manner.

The Last Episode. Season 11 was full of trips, but it ended with a pub/eatry in downtown Tokyo, another way of returning to the roots of Season 1 until the very end.
Also the line "Tomorrow I'm going to Asakusa. I wonder what I shall eat there." It's been 4 years since the last time Goro said this recurring line. I was happy to hear it finally.

Is it a curse or a win if your shop is featured on KNG? Many of the restaurants featured are managed and owned by the elderly so it is expected that it will be difficult to keep up with the influx of more customers after their episode airs. More customers means more profit but the downside is it will be incredibly crowded, long queues might disrupt the neighborhood, their regular customers/friends will find it sad and annoying that they can't come to the shop as often as they used to, etc.
It seems the staff of KNG have given advice to owners on how to cope with this situation, like posting their rules and terms. I also noticed that 2-3 of these shops in Season 11, announced that they are closed for a month after the season's airing, maybe because they were advised to take a long break and rest for awhile and recharge before taking in the expected throngs of customers. I hope KNG and TV Tokyo will also continue to check on them (especially the elderly owners) from time to time, assess, and come up with ways to help or continue to advise (preferably using services of business/financial experts). Or even come up with a study of the good/bad effects of being featured on KNG.

Another change if you noticed. That there were more lines spoken by 3 or even more characters all at once. It seldom happened in the past when I do the subs. There were many instances this season that I had to resort to come up with muliple subbed lines all over the place haha. But it was fun.

"Nasu, Nice!" Goro mentioned this same pun 3 times throughout Season11 haha! I had to find ways to make the English equivalent work (eggplant/eggceptional/eggcellent, aubergine/aubergenius). When a KNG season falls on a summer airing or around those months, eggplant which is a seasonal vegetable in Japan is usually featured in the dishes that he chooses. That is why Season 11 had lots of them.

We love Matsushige's Goro, don't we? I hope Matsushige lives long and be healthy enough to play Goro for a long, long time. I do think the show should not continue if he retires from playing the role. Goro's original manga character is more of a Showa/Early Heisei man when smartphones were not yet the norm. And as time progresses, more convenient tech is used to look for restos, and clearly Goro is not using those, to preserve the TV trope. If a younger actor would take over, how can they preserve the running gag of "let's look for a resto"? They could probably make New Goro use a smartphone in choosing a shop, but also come up with scenes that he stumbles onto some.

Reading viewers' opinions on who could be the New Goro. They think it should be someone like Matsushige, a talented, versatile byplayer actor: Hamada Gaku, Kitamura Kazuki, etc. One thing they forget is that Goro's manga character is fairly tall. That is why Qusumi originally wanted Nagashima Kazushige (height 5'9'') to play Goro because "he resembled Goro in the manga" (he declined btw). Matsuhige is 6'2''. I guess it is not just the height and great acting, or eats deliciously, the next Goro should be capable of becoming like the leader/star actor of a theater troupe, has charm in real life, great PR skills, is professional, clean with no hint of scandal, enthusiastic/likeable, rallies and takes good care of his TV crew staff, and is kind and respectful to the actual shopowners in each episode. Matsushige is all of these, so taking over the reins he held for more than a decade is going to be really tough.

BUT! if you ask me (lol), my choice would be Matsuyama Kenichi: height around 5'10", talented actor who can play dramatic and comedy roles, mature enough to look like a Heisei guy, but young enough to continue the role for a decade or two more, can pull off an eccentric role (like his character in "Toki Sudeni Osushi!?" who didn't use a smartphone) and most of all, I think he has a great resemblance to Goro in the manga!

The Hints. I have mentioned before in my tweets (here) that I've been noticing that someone influential from KNG might be reading my posts or checking my subbing projects and including these as very subtle hints in KNG script, that are mostly noticeable only to me. It's been happening for a long time, but I tend to just dismiss them as mere coincidences or maybe I'm just being too delulu. But sometimes, these were just too much to ignore. And this Season 11, it might have happened again!

If you noticed, Goro's script sometimes uses famous words or buzzwords from other dramas (that he did not necessarily star in) like "Hate? [はて?]" from asadora "Tora ni Tsubasa" (2024). It's understandable if the drama was popular. But my previous subbing project was "Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keishō" which was a quiet drama that did not generate a lot of buzz. I noticed especially starting Ep2 of this Season11 that hints/elements/words in the script semed were taken from or similar to KyotoJin. I won't talk about those hints but if my hunch was correct, I had hoped that my favorite actor from KyotoJin, Gin Pu Chou who played Okami-san Tsuruko would appear as a guest in Season 11 (in the end, it was the actor who played the lawyer in KyotoJin, Fukami Motoki, that guested in Ep11). But Gin Pu Chou need not appear anymore because she already guested in 2019 Season 9, Episode 10! I wasn't aware of this until Season11 Ep10, when Goro's client mentioned that her highschool classmate was his client as well. I reviewed that 2019 episode and yes! Gin Pu Chou played the mama of the featured shop. Was this coincidental or intentional? Then later on, in this Season11 Ep 10, as he was finishing his meal, Goro said, "Sore de saigo no tanoshimi ni... Goro no tanoshimi kata" (And now for my final pleasurable treat... Goro's Way of Enjoyment). Take note that he used the word "tanoshimi" which I explained the meaning in my blog! However, I cannot confirm if [愉しみ] or [楽しみ] was used since I do not have the official JP captions available. It might be the latter, but based on the context, for me, it seemed that [愉しみ] was what he meant.
Despite all the hints, I may still be wrong in my assumptions. But I do admit I can't help feeling appreciated and seen whenever I see stuff like this. :)
Cannot wait for the next project with the KNG team, and for sure, I'll be subbing it too.

Thanks for reading~.

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Tantei-san, Ryukku Aitemasu yo: Subbing Project (Complete)

2026-05-02T16:04:16Z

"Tantei-san, Ryukku Aitemasu yo" (Winter 2026, TV Asahi) is a drama about a detective and inventor in a hot spring town who solves bizarre cases in a laid-back manner. Matsuda Ryuhei plays Ichinose Yosuke, a detective/inventor who took over his father's detective business after his father disappeared, while also dedicating himself to inventions. He uses his family's abandoned hot spring inn in the small rural town of Nishigaya Onsen as his detective office and residence, but it's filled with Yosuke's bizarre and surreal inventions! In fact, he once successfully conducted research in America to convert "negative emotions" into energy. With Yosuke's return to Japan, Nishigaya Onsen has become a slightly unusual hot spring town where strange requests come in from a variety of unique clients. Yosuke is busy trying to solve numerous bizarre requests in unpredictable and eccentric ways.

Tantei-san, Ryukku Aitemasu yo
(Hey Detective, Your Backpack is Open)

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

Subs are in the .ass format only, timed to raws uploaded at Drama-Otaku. Thanks!
Sorry, I'm saving space so I won't be DLing and retime to other raws (avistaz). So I'm not sure if it matches.
Update: I was told that the raws match the avistaz files!

COMPLETE SUBS BATCH: (HERE) (MEGA)

Episode Titles:

Ep 1: "Bad Matsutake Mushroom Over Harvester"

Ep 2: "Sustainable Boy Meets the Underground People"
Ep 3: "Mystery Cocoon of Quiz King"
Ep 4: "Welcome to NISHIGAYA From Sengoku"
Ep 5: "Electric Ant Current Steam Death Voice"
Ep 6: "Bad Memory, Good Sound"
Ep 7: "Lost Cat Days Detective"
Ep 8 Finale: "The Sadness That Turned Into a Rice Ball"

D-addicts Thread: (link)

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Kodoku no Gurume Season 11: Subbing Project (Complete)

2026-04-10T04:50:23Z

Kodoku no Gurume Season 11 (Spring 2026, TV Tokyo). The official drama is back after three and half years with the theme "I'm still hungry"! Our beloved protaganist Inogashira Goro returns as the lone foodie, stumbling upon charming eateries serving great food. What kind of towns will Goro encounter this time, what kind of restaurants and people, and what kind of exquisite food will he discover? Get ready to get hungry again with the even more powerful "Kodoku no Gurume Season 11"! And of course, author Qusumi Masayuki is back as well with his end segment, "Furatto Qusumi".

"The series had reached its 10th installment, we've had the spin-off "SoreZore no Kodoku no Gurume," and last year we even had the theatrical film released. It would be the perfect time to step down, but due to various circumstances, I will continue. Accepting fate without resistance. Eating the food placed in front of me. This is life. Or rather, this is the life I've always lived." ~Matsushige Yutaka (plays Inogashira Goro).

© original text by: earthcolors

\\\ KODOKU NO GURUME SEASON 11 ///

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:
Subs are in the .ass format only, timed to raws uploaded at Drama-Otaku. Thanks!
Update1: Special thanks to KNG Fan SumoMcmoomo who offered to share his own raws with us!
The link to it is in the d-addicts (d-a) thread.
I have uploaded subs retimed to them (link below).
Update2: Raw with muxed subs are now up at nyaa (link)

Complete Subs Batch: (HERE) (Mega)

Individual Episode Titles:
Ep 01: "Saba Mirin and Tonjiru (Pork-Miso Soup) of Zengyo, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture"
Ep 02: "Tandoori Chicken and Mutton Masala at Nishi-Azabu in Minato Ward, Tokyo"
Ep 03: "Spicy Stir-Fried Lamb Shoulder with Fermented Vegetables and Pork Belly with Cucumber and Garlic Sauce at Sengoku, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo"
Ep 04: "Bagna Cauda and Spleen Panini in Hon-Atsugi, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture"

Ep 05: "Bún Thịt Nướng and Chả Giò in Kami-Iida Town, Yokohama City"
Ep 06: "Thinly-Sliced Pork Teppanyaki in Ikejiri, Meguro Ward, Tokyo"
Ep 07: "Swordfish Meunière with Spinach Cream Sauce in Higashi-Jujo, Kita Ward, Tokyo"
Ep 08: "Taiwanese Ramen and Boiled Gyoza in Hasuda City, Saitama Prefecture"
Ep 09: "Liver Steak Set Meal in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture"
Ep 10: "Aji Fry and Hagatsuo Fry in Takataki, Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture"
Ep 11: "Tuna Pan-Fried with Garlic Set Meal in Yokoshibahikari Town, Chiba Prefecture"

SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE!

"Just Before the Final Episode SP"

Featuring a recap of Goro's meals and some behind-the-scenes footage.

Subs included in the zip file complete batch.

To be watched before Ep 12.

Ep 12 Finale: "Simmered Katsu Set Meal in Takasago, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo"

Masterpost of KodoGuru Seasons/Episode Guide Links: (link)

D-addicts Thread: (link)

Drama Notes/Filming Locations: (link)

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Planned Projects: Spring 2026

2026-04-10T04:08:30Z

Announcing subbing projects:

Kodoku no Gurume Season 11 2026.

Welcome back, Goro-san!

Tantei-san, Ruck Aitemasu yo!

Wasn't able to tackle this last season. Will take it up this season, but will take my time.

Tentative: There was a 2019 SP directed by Minamoto Takashi, that went under the jdrama radar, I will try to see if I can work on this but I don't want to announce it yet.

New! Rosanjin no Kamodo.
Seems interesting...

That's all for now~

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Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keisho: Drama Notes (Eps 8-9)

2026-03-29T19:52:14Z

Drama Notes for Eps 8-9 (finale) of Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keisho:

EPISODE 8: THE CITY OF WOMEN

Kyoyaki or Kyo ware or Kyoto ware. Yuuko was trained by her father who was a Kyoyaki expert. This is a traditional craft that they are made using traditional techniques that reflect the country's history and lifestyle. One of most well-known artist of this craft is Ninsei Nonomura. However, Yuuko seems to prefer Bernard Leach's style which is also heavily influenced by Asian pottery.

Fortune and Misfortune are intertwined like a twisted rope. The Chinese characters for this are 禍福绾纆. It can also be explained as "Misfortune, that is where fortune depends; Fortune, that is where misfortune lurks". An example would be "losing your horse". It might be considered a misfortune, but who knows, it could also be fortunate losing your horse because if you kept it and rode it, it could have caused an accident or worse, death, you'll never know. That is why you take things (whether it's good news or bad news) calmly and with composure.

"Tried to protect Kyoto, but ended up being hated by Kyoto." It's a clue regarding Professor Shinonome's hometown. So he is not from Kyoto, he is from Aizu, just like Toryo. If you recall in Ep 6, Shinonome and Toryo met at Kurodani Konkai-Komyoji Temple. It's a special place for them because in these grounds, you can find graves of some Aizu soldiers who died during the Battle of Toba–Fushimi. The Aizu Domain was known for its martial skill, and maintained an army, often deployed by the Shogunate to parts of Japan for security operations, including Kyoto during the turbulent times of the Bakumatsu period. Official name was "Kyoto Shugoshoku" who were responsible for keeping the peace in the city of Kyoto, and were the precursor to the Shinsengumi. Their headquarters were located at the site where this Konkai-Komyoji Temple stood now. When the Tokugawa Shogunate fell, Aizu army got "hated" because the new Meiji government was made up of clansmen of the Satsuma and Chōshū domains, who wanted to settle score with them.
Aizu Domain is now part of Fukushima prefecture. So it is assumed that Shinonome and Toryo are from Fukushima. Toryo and Shinonome's father might also have been friends/acquiantances.

The 13th Night Moon or the "Later Harvest Moon". It is said that the custom of viewing the 13th night moon began when Emperor Daigo held a moon-viewing banquet and enjoyed poetry on the 13th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar in 919 (Engi 19), as recorded in the "Mitsune-shu," a collection of poems written during the Heian period.
Viewing the moon on only one of the two nights, the 15th or the 13th night (of the old lunar calendar), is called "one-sided moon viewing" or "one-sided moon viewing," and is considered unlucky. I think Tsuruko needed to complete the moon-viewing because of this superstion, fearing that the surgery and her health will become worse, if she didn't see the two moons.

Hagisaka Yuiko. Played by Takaoka Saki. She is a recurring character. She was a former geisha who married the 4th generation owner of the prestigious ryotei "Hagisaka". This husband was fond of drinking and womanizing, and has disappeared, leaving Yuiko to manage the business. In "Blue: Training Arc", being a true Kyotoite, you can see her wearing her "Buddha-like" face (a formal, expressionless face with a slight impersonal smile), but deep inside, she was deeply saddened by her husband's actions and abandonment. It's good to see her now looking lovelier and with a more vibrant happy smile, meaning she has moved past it.
The Hagisaka Ryotei was also where Jin (the Kaiseki chef) trained.

Kyoto dialect. The drama is drawing to a close. I'd like to share some terms that I had trouble translating lol:
"Okake ya shite okureyasu" (おかけやしておくれやす). Took me a long time to find the meaning of this (tried googling, nothing came up!). Hagisaka Yuiko said this to Miyako when they met at the law firm. "Okureyasu" means "please" but "Okake" could mean a lot of things. Finally, I found an explanation, that it is short for a more polite honorific expression for "suwararu (to sit)". "Okake ni naru" is a more polite and respectful way of saying "suwari" (to sit), used in formal situations or when you want to show particularly high respect. I think this is a ryotei's Okami's formal way of asking someone to sit down. It also helped confirm the meaning when Miyako looked at the seat, and said "yes" and then, sat down.
"Yo iwan wa" [よう言わんわ]. I first encountered this phrase in another Minamoto drama "True Colors". It was also used 3-4 times in this drama. It means "I am speechless", or "I am at a loss for words" as a response to something that was said that was audacious, appalling, absurd, or disgusting. Kansai language can be blunt, so I had to think of ways to lessen the bluntness of this phrase to match the atmosphere of the scene or the context of the dialogue.
"Kishokuwarui" [気色悪]. It means "disgusting" and "creepy". Again, in Kansai dialect, they use it loosely even if something is not really disgusting, and you shouldn't be offended (much) if you're told this. In the subs, I had to tone down the bluntness of this term so I translated it as "you lil weirdo", or "you're being weird."

I do love the following phrases/words: "Ookini" (thank you), "Kannin" (Bear with me / I'm sorry), and "Ohayou okaeriyasu" (お早うお帰りやす) = "Please be careful and return while it's still light " or "Don't stay out too long" when a family member is going out.

Filming Locations:

Kamo Ohashi (bridge). Where Raku and Hiiromi met Sartre of Kamo River. Kamo Ohashi Bridge was built across the Kamo River on Imadegawa Street as part of the Kyoto City urban redevelopment plan carried out from the Taisho period to the early Showa period. The Kamo River and Takano River merge just upstream of this bridge, making it the longest bridge over the Kamo River.
Address: Kajiicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

Stepping Stones. After meeting with the homeless person, Raku and Hiiromi are seen crossing the same stepping stones shown in Ep 1. Btw, stepping stones in Kyoto city are a quicker, alternative path for those who are in a hurry to cross the river, and don't want to bother using the bridge.

Westin Miyako Hotel West Wing Lobby. Where Kayoko met with Akane and her mother. The hotel dates back since the 1890s.
Address: 1 Awataguchi Kachocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Rokkaku General Law Office. The law office of Miyako's half brother, actual location is just right beside Doda Community Hall where Professor Shinonome gets his tea water from. The building is currently occupied by a construction firm called "Milan Carpentry".
Address: 310 Hokodencho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

>>>>>o<<<<<

EPISODE 9: OKERA MAIRI

Sartre of Kamo River. Played by Shirai Akira who happens to be the real-life husband of Akiyama Natsuko (who played the Mama-san of Bar Forest Down).
It is said that this character is based on a real-life homeless person, nicknamed "Julie of Kawatamachi" (after the nickname of singer Sawada Kenji) who roamed mainly the Shijo-Kawaramachi area of Kyoto City from the 1960s to the 1980s. He had long hair similar to Sawada's at the time, and that he was described as an attention-seeker with eccentric clothing. He was regarded like a celebrity or local notable, and featured in magazines, as one of "Kyoto's Eccentrics". He died in 1988 due to hypothermia and was reported to be 66 years old at the time of his death. His relatives claimed the body and gave details about him (his name was still withheld): he was from Shikoku, served in the Pacific War, and took over his family business after being demobilized. He was married for about two years but disappeared around 1958 and has been out of contact with them ever since. There are no photos of him on the internet so far, but he was described as having a stocky build, a mustache and beard, long greasy hair, and wore a tattered black suit/jacket. He is still remembered up today, having been mentioned in some novels, essays, manga, and a song, and urban legends that say he is still seen roaming around. (source info: JP wiki)

Halva and whiskey. It was well documented that Sartre (the French philosopher) loved halva, particularly what was described as "sesame-based halva coated with almonds". He not only loved whiskey but all sorts of alcoholic drinks. Btw, the "Asahi whiskey" and the Miyako Chidori sesame yokan featured in this episode were both fictional products.

Akane's Highschool. She said it was Tennouji Akatsuki which is fictional. But it could be based on Osaka Prefectural Shimizudani High School which is a prestigious public co-educational senior high school (secondary school), located in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan.

"Shioke no taran" [塩気の足らん]. It is what Kayoko described her son Hiiromi, meaning "lacking salt". This is not a real phrase and nothing comes up when you google it, so I guess it is open to anyone's interpretation. Nothing comes up either if you search about a "salty person" in Japanese. So for my interpretation, it seems Kayoko is describing (in a motherly endearing way) Hiiromi as "bland" "lacks vitality" as opposed to Akane who seems smart, exciting, and enthusiastic.

The Talk Between Shinonome and Sartre of Kamo River. Shinonome gave hints of Sartre's background. That he is the eldest son of a family pickling business (pickling vegetables are a big thing in Kyoto) but ran away to Paris to avoid taking over. He said if it could be anything other than pickles, he would have taken over. I'm guessing he doesn't want his hands dirtied or wrinkled while pickling veggies lol since Shinonome commented that he has beautiful hands (and probably he wanted to keep it that way). At least, he still goes back to his family when the weather gets too hot or too cold to seek shelter (unlike the real Julie of Kawatamachi).
I don't know what Shinonome gave Sartre. He did say "I'll lend this to you", but it looks like a teabag, perhaps?
Here, it is revealed that Shinonome was indeed an Aizu/Fukushima native.
Which brings me to the formation of his hobby club. It turns out he loves Kyoto as much as the other outsider "Ikkyu-san" Hiiragiko.
As Grandma Tsuruko said in Ep 3, "People from Kyoto don't study Kyoto as a hobby." So the people involved in the hobby club were all established to be outsiders, except for Hiiromi who is a hardcore Kyotoite. So why would Hiiromi bother to join the club? Maybe he admires Prof. Shinonome? And he probably doesn't have much friends, so this is his way of socializing?

Shinonome's Wife. And my hunch was correct, Emily is his wife, based on easy clues provided. But it was still unlikely as well, because there is no way a foreigner woman would be allowed to take over a Japanese sake brewery. And poor Emily, having moved to far away Fukushima, and getting involved with another man who still runs away from her lol. But it looks like they have a good long distance relationship going on. Too bad she didn't appear in person.

Suguru's Boss. Miyako's husband works for confectionery shop, Tomoya Chiyomatsu which has a branch shop in Paris. Of course it's a fictional shop but it is believed to be based on Toraya Confectionery Ltd, which was founded in the 16th century, having served the Imperial Court in Kyoto starting from the reign of Emperor Go-Yōzei. Their headquarters were moved to Tokyo when the capital was moved during the Meiji era. They have a branch in Paris which has been in operation since 1980. If you want to see their skillful artisanship in making wagashi, they have videos of it on their website HERE.

Hiiki. Also more known as Bixi, burden-carrying Chinese mythological beast shaped like a tortoise. You can read more HERE.

Okera Mairi. "A traditional New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) fire ritual at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, where thousands of visitors light special hemp ropes, known as hinawa, from a sacred fire. Attendees spin these ropes to keep the fire alive while traveling home to cook zoni (New Year soup) and light household altars to ensure good health."
I think this was also featured in "Makanai" drama on NF. If you haven't watched it yet, you should if you are interested to find out more on Kyoto culture.

Filming Locations:

Okonomiyaki Yumeya. Where Hiiromi and Akane ate okonomiyaki, a place often used for filming dramas and street-walking segments, and frequently visited by celebrities.
Address: 1 Magobashi-cho, Kawabata-dori Nijo-dori Agaru, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City.

Cafe Moan. Where Mikami Suguru stopped to have tea along with the airport chauffeur. It is near the summit of Yoshida Mountain.
Address: 8 Yoshida Kaguraoka-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City

Shinnyoji Temple. Where Raku and Miyako visited and had tea, after praying at Uhoin Temple in Nishijin. It is one of the three sub-temples located outside the main temple grounds of the head temple Shokoku-ji.
Address: 61 Tojiin Kitamachi, Kita Ward, Kyoto

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Hinomiko Shrine). Kyoto City's beloved shrine, featured at the end credits, where they practiced Okera Mairi. Another drama I subbed is "Ginnikan" a period drama about merchant life in Kyoto city and this Kitano Tenmangu Shrine had a major part in the story.
Address: Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

Minamiza Theater. Shown at the end credits, with workers raising sign boards of kabuki actors, called "manekiage". At the Minamiza Theatre's "Kichirei Kaomise Kogyo" (Annual Kabuki Performance), which opens on November 30th every year, the theater's front facade is adorned with a beckoning signboards on November 24th and 25th. I think this annual kabuki event was also featured in "Makanai" (not sure, I have to rewatch it sometime).
Address: 198 Shochiku Minamiza, 2nd Floor West Lobby, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City (street view)

That ends this drama's notes. Thank you for reading~!

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Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keisho: Drama Notes (Eps 5-7)

2026-03-15T01:04:31Z

Drama Notes for Eps 5-7 of Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keisho:

EPISODE 5: THE TRUE FLOWER

Shitsurai-gae. Practiced more commonly in Kyoto, this is the ancient Japanese culture of decorating rooms with hanging scrolls, flowers, and changing fixtures and furnishings to create a harmonious atmosphere according to the season and events. It's not just about redecorating; it's about expressing the changing seasons (primarily summer and winter) and gratitude for special occasions through the space, and preparing for a comfortable life and welcoming guests. If you watched "The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House" on NF, it was also featured there, on how it's done.

The Moon-Viewing Festival:
The Mid-Autumn Harvest Moon. On this day, the Chinese believe that the moon is at its fullest and brightest, coinciding with the time of harvest in the middle of autumn. In Japan, they practice Tsukimi, include displaying decorations made from Japanese pampas grass (susuki) and eating rice dumplings called Tsukimi dango in order to celebrate the beauty of the Moon.
The Later Harvest Moon. Second moon-viewing takes place a month later, with beans or chestnuts dedicated to the waxing moon.

Dondon-Yake. It was common name for the fire that broke out in Kyoto on July 19 1864 (August 20 1864 in the Gregorian calendar) in connection with the Kinmon Incident or the Hamaguri Gate Rebellion. The area was named "Dondon-yake" (meaning "rapid burning") because it burned so quickly and uncontrollably, and "Teppo-yake" (meaning "gunfire burning") because of the loud sounds of gunfire that echoed throughout the city during the fighting.

Funeral Manju. These are white, yellow, or blue steamed buns, usually filled with sweet bean paste, that are distributed as gifts (thank-you gifts) at wakes and funerals. The custom of giving manju at funerals stems from the belief that by giving away cash and distributing expensive manju to attendees, the deceased is making it easier for them to attain Buddhahood.

The Two Kinds of Kyoto Tea.
Iri Bancha. Also, Kyobancha, is a unique, strongly roasted green tea from the Kyoto region, known for its distinct smoky aroma reminiscent of campfires. Made from mature leaves and twigs harvested during winter pruning, it has a mild, sweet, and low-caffeine flavor, making it a popular daily beverage among Kyoto folk, often served after meals.
Hojicha. Typically made by roasting bancha or kukicha leaves over high heat. Known for its distinct, smoky-sweet caramel aroma and clear amber color, this low-caffeine tea is popular as a comforting beverage and a key ingredient in lattes and desserts.

Zeami. You can read more about him HERE.
If you want more info on the meaning of Zeami's The Hidden Flower or The True Flower, you can read it HERE.

The English Gardener has come home. I will explain more on the son of the Mama-san of "Forest Down" in the next episode drama notes.

Filming sites:
Reikanji Temple. The temple where Tsuruko and Raku delivered the Japanese sweets. It is famous for its camellia flowers, which burst into riotous crimson bloom in early April.
Address: 12 Shishigatani Goshonodancho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City

Doda Community Hall. Known for its "Doda Water", it is where Prof. Shinonome comes to fetch water (to be used for his tea), which is apparently groundwater originally intended for fire prevention. People come every day to fill up plastic bottles and containers with the water, and some even come to collect it for use in cafes and restaurants.
Address: 542 Hokodencho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

The Library. The library scene which was supposed to be the library at Rakushisha University was actually shot at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies Nichibunken. Their library is known for its distinctive round reading room.
Address: 3 Chome -2 Goryooeyamacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto

Yuki Shrine. Where the Fire Festival is shown during the end credits. The shrine is the guardian shrine of Kurama Temple. The Kurama Fire Festival, held every year on October 22nd, is said to be a festival that recreates the time when Yuki Shrine was founded in 940 AD when it was relocated at this present site, from its original site, the Imperial Palace of Heian-kyo. During the relocation, the villagers carried materials along the night roads, each carrying a torch. This procession of blazing flames is believed to be the origin of the Kurama Fire Festival.
Address: 1073 Kurama Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City

>>>>>o<<<<<

EPISODE 6: THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A SUCCESSOR

This episode's drama notes is more on looking back at characters from previous seasons, particularly from "Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Blue - Training" which I'm not really familiar with, hence my notes might be prone to mistakes, gomen. This "Blue: Training" arc had an ensemble cast portraying young apprentices undergoing various Kyoto craftsmanship (gardening, ceramic pottery-making, farming, baking, culinary arts).
Some of them are appearing in this season (either in person or just flashbacks), starting off with...

Wakabayashi Kent Kotaro. Played by Hayashi Kentaro (notice the similarity of his real name to his character's name). His character appeared in the "Blue: Training" Arc of this series. Btw, actor Kentaro also played a different character in an earlier arc ("Love Letters in a Paulownia Wood Chest"), which was a role of the son of an arai-ya-san (a craftsman who thoroughly cleans and finishes newly built or renovated traditional homes, as well as buildings with stubborn stains, using specialized techniques and tools).
In this arc, Kotaro is an apprentice gardener, and had moved to England to live with his British father and to study English landscape gardening.

Emily Cotsfield. The supposedly "fiancée" of Heathrow, played by Charlotte Kate Fox. I'd say "supposedly" because Heathrow did not agree to marrying her. What I remember was Heathrow was her stepfather. When Emily's mother died, her dying wish was for Heathrow to marry Emily (I know right? lol). I think the mother was afraid her daughter would be alone (maybe because Emily wasn't really an amiable person), that's why, she wants reassurance that Emily will be taken care of. But Heathrow did not want to marry her (I think he finds her scary) so he ran away abroad to Japan, but she chased after him, and demanded that he fulfills her mother's wish. Heathrow went into hiding in a temple, by becoming a monk, and now they don't know where he is.
Emily went on to teaching at Rakushisha University (she has a masters in Linguistics). She was befriended by Okami-san Tsuruko, and even stayed at Kuraya. She felt abandoned by Heathrow, and resorted to drinking and singing at a karaoke bar with her graduate students.

Dotsuji Satoru. Played by Motoki Fukami. The illegitimate son of the previous owner of Kuraya (Miyako's father), and a geisha in the Gion district. I think he was the one Miyako was referring to (in Episode 1) when she said to her husband, "My mother and I did everything we could... Even things you might not know about" about saving Kuraya from closing.
If you want to know if Miyako's mother, Tsuruko knew about Satoru, the answer is "yes". Although she is completely unaware of his existence, in the "Summer" arc episode, after paying her respects to tea merchants in Uji, she happens to see Satoru (as a monk) heading towards Kōshōji Temple and notices that his eyes closely resemble those of her late husband, and she seems to have some idea of who he might be. She did go to the temple, met Satoru, and confirmed her suspicions. The gentle-hearted Tsuruko felt happy that her daughter has a sibling, and thanked him for being born. Satoru who had once worried about being born, felt relieved, hearing her kind words, and told her to feel free to visit him anytime.

Miyama Seibei. The master garden designer played by Ishibashi Renji (who is regular actor in Minamoto Takashi dramas and SPs). His landscape garden design company in the story is called "Ueyoshi". It's not clear which real company it is based on, since there are several famous landscaping companies in Kyoto. One of these is "Ueji" which has been around for 270 years, and its most famous head was the 7th generation Ogawa Jihei. But at the end of the episode, Toryo was shown, staring at the garden which he probably designed. In real life, this is the Shiun garden found at Kurotani Konkai Komyoji Temple, and it was created and managed by "Ueyakato" landscaping co. which was founded in 1848.

Who exactly is Prof. Shinonome? Based on his conversation with Toryo, he also has his own succession issue. He mentions "Kami-san" has taken over the business which is likely, sake making. "Kami-san" may mean "proprietress" or his wife, or both. If Prof. Shinonome is married, who is his wife? It may be unlikely but I have some hunch and I'm sure you have one too, based on some earlier clues lol. Another hint to his background is... he agreed or can relate with Toryo's sentiments on being an "outsider" (Toryo is originally from Aizu, in the Tohoku region), which means Shinonome is also originally an outsider too. So the clues are... his family has a sake brewing business in Kyoto, but he is an outsider. Toryo also said he could not make it to "the memorial service", which is probably for Shinonome's father and previous generation head of the sake-brewing business. Since Shinonome is likely an outsider, could it be he was an illegitimate son (who grew up elsewhere) and forced to take over a Kyoto business, or he married into it, but letting the wife run it, while he goes living a carefree professor's life? Let's hope to find out soon.

Filming sites:
Miyama Seibei's Residence. It was filmed at the former Omuro residence, built in 1937, but the architect and purpose of its construction remain unknown. It is remarkably well-preserved for a suburban residence and is registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. It can be rented for events, and filming purposes.
Address: 5 Omuro Okanosuso-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City

Cafe Origi. The coffee shop where Miyako and her half-brother, Satoru, met. It opened in 2021, utilizing a traditional Kyoto townhouse in Nishijin, Kyoto, an area that flourished as a center for Nishijin weaving. More HERE.
Address: 1-542-1 Sasaya-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City

Kurodani Konkai-Komyoji Temple. Where Toryo and the professor met. It is one of eight head temples in Japan belonging to the Pure Land sect of Buddhism, founded in 1175.
Address: 121 Kurodanicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Shown at the end credits, this is the head shrine to the deity Inari which was originally and remains primarily the god of rice and agriculture, but merchants also worship Inari as the patron of business. It is also famous for its iconic red torii gates. The Fire Festival takes place annually in early November.
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City

>>>>>o<<<<<

EPISODE 7. HOW TO DRAW THE CURTAIN

Kimono Fitting Event. The Okami of "Izuyo" Kayoko played by Natori Yuko came back from Tokyo where she attended this event. In the subs I called it "Kimono Trade Fair". This event features staff and professionals from kimono specialty stores who propose the optimal combination of fabric, obi, obi-jime, obi-age, etc., to suit the customer's purpose (wedding, party, theater, etc.), preferences, and body type, completing the coordinated outfit. It is a place where you can try on clothes and get advice from professionals, and find a furisode (long-sleeved kimono) for your coming-of-age ceremony or an outfit that suits your personal preferences.

Nishin Soba. A quintessential Kyoto comfort dish consisting of hot soba/buckwheat noodles in a light dashi broth, topped with a single large filet of sweet-and-savory simmered dried herring (migaki nishin). Invented in 1882 by Matsuba in the Gion district, it is a historic winter tradition often enjoyed during cold weather.

Edo-mae Soba. Kayoko said: "People in Tokyo claim that soba is more of an Edo (or Tokyo) thing". Soba or buckwheat noodles is primarily associated with Edo (modern-day Tokyo). While buckwheat was consumed earlier, soba-kiri (buckwheat noodles) became popular and established as a beloved Edo-style staple during the Edo period (1603–1867), becoming one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Edo cuisine, whereas Kyoto (Kansai region) traditionally favored udon.
Kayoko of course prefers their beloved Kyoto soba version (which has a milder taste) over Edomae (Tokyo-style) soba (which has a stronger soy-sauce flavor). Her son Hiroomi says he's beginning to like the latter more.

Name of Kyoto's Long-Established Shops. In Kyoto, the naming (shop name) of long-established businesses is not merely a store name, but an important element that embodies the company's history, integrity, and Kyoto culture. One way of naming a business is "House/Brand Surname" + "Personal Name/Place Name". When Kuraya chief sweets maker Shigeru was offered to take over the business, he refused adamantly (like "over my dead body!"), expecially changing the name from "Kuraya Harunobu" to "Kuraya Shigeru". Understandably, people would be horrified and annoyed at this audacity, stamping his name on a well-respected business that had been the result of blood, sweat and tears of the original owners for over 200 years.

The Etiquette of the "Kyoto Farewell". The scene where Tsuruko and Raku walk away from the Okami of Kisshouan and turning the nearest corner as soon as possible, is meant as a subtle thoughtfulness in avoiding the so-called "Kyoto farewell". There are times when your host of an establishment that you visited or patronized would see you off. After exchanging final greetings, you leave and they would stay there until you are out of sight. You'd look back and find them still standing there, or bowing, watching you go. Return the bow. It's like a ritual of reluctance to part ways. This continues until you turn the corner and disappear from view. So, customers need to get there quickly out of consideration for the hosts.

Matsukage Eiji. Another recurring character played by Maiguma Katsuya. He is a farmer, and friend of Kotaro. Btw, the young characters from the "Blue: Training" arc are childhood friends and classmates from school. As mentioned, Eiji is married to Hana, the baker who made the Kouign-amann in Ep 4. They live in Ohara where he grows Kyoto vegetables.

Matsubara Jin (Flashback). Another childhood friend played by Yamoto Yuma. He started as an apprentice chef at a traditional Japanese restaurant, and now has bright future working in Tokyo as a kaiseki chef.

Miyasaka Yuuko. Played by Yoshioka Riho, the on-again, off-again girlfriend of Kotaro. Born into a family of renowned ceramic artists in Kyoto, she is currently exploring her own style of pottery in England. She mentioned in this episode that she had a Mentor, and this was her ceramic artist father.
Kotaro, Eiji, Hana, Jin, and Yuuko make up the five bestfriends who were the central characters in the "Blue: Training" arc.

Filming Sites:

Shioyoshiken. The filming location for the exterior shot of Kisshouan. The place Shioyoshiken is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1882. The building is registered as a historically significant building, and contributes to the historical landscape of the city of Kyoto. Their signature confection is "Juraku," a baked bun filled with smooth red bean paste, available only at their main store.
Address: 180 Hidadonocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

Ayanokoji Bridge. Where Raku and Tsuruko stopped after visiting Kisshouan, over Takase River.
Address: Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

Kissa (Coffee Shop) Kano. Where Raku and Tsuruko had tea at this famous coffee shop, founded in 1971, located along the Takase River.
Address: 785 Nishihashizumecho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

Honke Tagoto - Sanjo Branch. The restaurant, where Kayoko and her son Hiroomi ate soba noodles, which was founded in 1868, and where you can even watch the soba being made inside. It's located in the Sanjo shopping arcade.
Address: 12 Ishibashicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

Bishamondo Temple. The temple shown during the end credits. A Tendai sect temple located a short trip away from the city center in Yamashina Ward, Bishamon-dō is famous for its 150-year old cherry trees and lovely autumn maple leaves. The Maple Leaves Festival is held here every November 23. A monzeki temple with a history of imperial princes serving as head priests, Bishamon-dō is also known as a temple with a connection to the story of the famous 47 rōnin, and one location visited by a parade of reenactors who participate in the 47 Rōnin Festival.
Address: 18 Anshuinariyamacho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto

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Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keisho: Drama Notes (Eps 1-4)

2026-02-22T06:00:28Z

Here are explanations or things to note, plus links to some of the filming sites for the 2026 NHK drama, Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keisho:

EPISODE 1: ELEVEN HEADED KANNON

First off is the title: "京都人の密かな愉しみ". There are some acceptable translations of the title, like "Secret Pleasures of Kyoto Folk". The official English title that NHK used was "The Secret Lives of Kyoto Folk" which I find too broad. The French title shown in the opening credits is "Le Charme discret des gens de Kyoto" which IMO, doesn't quite cut it. To explore the meaning of 密かな愉しみ, these are the secret pleasures, maybe a personal hobby or pleasure that you don't want others to know about (gatekeeping?) or don't bother to talk about, and that you enjoy only in your own heart. They give you a sense of comfort or satisfaction like for example: late-night snacks, secret collections, luxurious time alone. In this case of the drama set in Kyoto, it can also refer to the unique cultures and customs that Kyoto city residents keep secret and that are not apparent to first-time visitors.

"Raku" [洛]. I am sure the notes in my drama subs clearly explains what "raku" is all about. Just to add, "rakuchu", "rakugai", "joraku" were mentioned as words having to do with "raku" or the capital city. The capital city being referred to here is of course Kyoto, not Tokyo. That is why the head priest says they're becoming obsolete, because Kyoto is no longer the capital.

The Two "Miyakos". There are two Miyakos in this drama: the older Miyako played by Tokiwa Takako, and her stepdaughter played by Hoshi Moeka.
The older Miyako's name is spelled as 三八子, while the younger Miyako is with a simple character name [洛].
We don't know if Raku was already born before her father met Miyako. But if she wasn't, aren't you bothered that Raku's father had the audacity to name his daughter after the girl who had fallen in love with him (and him with her), at the time he was married? How did Raku's poor mother felt about that?

Background story for those who did not watch the previous KyotoJin drama seasons:
Well, for now, it seems it is explained in the drama what the background story is behind the older Miyako, and why she left Kyoto for Paris. There is no need for now to add anything else, except maybe that she remained single and turned down marriage arrangements because she was still in love with Suguru.
Anyway, about the issue on saving Kuraya, she mentioned to her husband, "My mother and I did everything we could to keep the business going, even things you don't know about". I think I know what she meant, but it's best to wait. It will probably be revealed in a future episode.
Also, it seems there are recurring characters from the previous seasons who are guest starring in this season. I will discuss about them when their time comes.

The real Kuraya Harunobu. Kuraya is a fictional shop. But the shop shown and the address is real though: "Muromachi St, going up (or north) the intersection of Kamidachiuri street." Muromachi st which is a vertical street, is quite long and you need to point out the horizontal street that intersects it to give the idea of its exact location. Here is google street map view of the real store. And here is the intersection of Muromachi, and Kamidachiuri (you will see this intersection in Ep 2). The shop used as filming location is the Tawaraya Yoshitomi Kyoto Confectionery Shop founded in 1755, and is right beside the post office.

The Chinowa Chant. When Miyako was cooking the red kidney beans for the minazuki cake, she was reciting the Chinowa chant. It is a ritual chant recited by Shinto priests during the June 30th ritual marking the start of the second half of the year, wishing for good health and good harvest. The priests pass through a huge wreath made of straw three times, with each passing through, they declare: (1) "It is said that those who perform the summer purification ritual in June will have their lifespan extended by as much as 1,000 years."; (2) "While all my worries are cleared away, I cut the hemp leaves into pieces, hopefully I can exorcise evil and impurities away"; and (3) "Somin Shorai, Somin Shorai". Somin Shorai is explained HERE.

The Ending Theme Song, "Mal Také Ebisu". It is based on the children's song "Kyoto Marutake Ebisu" which is used as a memorization song to help remember the streets found in the Kyoto city grid. For example, the first lines of the song, "Ma-Ru-Take-Ebisu-Ni-Oshi-Oike" stands for the streets from east to west (the horizontal streets) grid: Marutamachi-dori, Takeyamachi-dori, Ebisugawa-dori, Nijo-dori, Oshikoji-dori, Oike-dori. The second part of the song lists the streets from North to South or the vertical streets part of the map grid. For example the lines that start with "Tera-Goko-Fuya-Tomi-Yanagi-Sakai" stand for Teramachi-dori, Gokomachi-dori, Fuyacho-dori, Tominokoji-dori, Yanagi-no-banba-dori, Sakaimachi-dori.

Other filming sites:
Omido Kannon-ji Temple. First shrine that Raku visited after arriving in Kyoto, with the Eleven-Headed Kannon.
Address: 13 Fugenji Shimodaimon, Kyotanabe City, Kyoto

Sanjusangendo Temple. Second shrine that Raku visited, with the famous 1,001 statues of Kannon.
Address: 657 Sanjusangendomawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto

Nijo Bridge. Where Raku stopped to check out Kamo river and where she was seen using the stepping stones.
Address: Nijo Street, Kamo River, Kyoto (google map)

>>>>>o<<<<<

EPISODE 2: STRONGHOLD

The Three Kyoto Schools of Tea Ceremony. In the map shown in the drama, the three schools are located within the same area. These are "Omotesenke", "Urasenke", and "Mushakōjisenke". Learn more HERE.

Rakushisha University. Its characters is 洛志社大学 and read as "Rakushisha University" (take note of the "raku"). It is a fictional name but the setting was shot at the Doshisha University Imadegawa Campus in Goshohachimancho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. It is indeed a walking distance from the confectionery shop, and Raku's walking directions were accurate.

Edward Heathrow. One of the drama's main character and narrator in previous seasons, played by Dan Jiro. He was a professor of cultural anthropology from Yorkshire, England, and taught at Rakushisha University. He made Kyoto his home base, and lived next door to the Kuraya shop. He observed Miyako through presumably a cultural anthropology point of view, since he thinks of her as the perfect person who embodies the quintessential Kyotoite, but sometimes his study of her was coming off as "stalker-ish". I've watched some of these episodes and somehow I find his character as an Englishman and story line (especially the case with his fiance) too cringey and off-putting. Actor Dan Jiro passed away on March 22, 2023, that is why Watanabe Ken assumed the role of Prof. Shinonome, to fill the void left by the late actor.

Kyoto-Jin. The kanji is 京都人. Normally, one would say 京都民 or 京都の住民 (Kyoto residents or Kyoto natives). When Raku heard "Kyoto-Jin", for her, it sounds like a different group of people or race or nationals, separate from "Nippon-jin" or Japanese person. So if forced to have an English equivalent, it probably sounded strange like "the Kyotonians" or "the Kyotonese".

Salon Kuraya. After class, Raku and her classmate went to drink tea at a cafe and tea salon which is an Ogawa branch operated by Kuraya Shop, and is located at Teranouchi st. As mentioned, Kuraya is based on Tawaraya confectionery shop, so the real Ogawa branch shop at Teranouchi is called "Salon Tawaraya", operated by Tawaraya (address: 592 Higashimachi Hokyoin Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto).
By the way, the sign in the drama that says "Salon Kuraya" is actually spelled as "Chalon Kuraya". The "cha" in "chalon" means "tea".

The Kyoto Person Certification Test. It is based on the real Kyoto Tourism and Culture Certification Test. Apparently, it is "a qualification test that certifies your knowledge of Kyoto from a wide range of perspectives, including Kyoto's history, culture, shrines and temples, festivals and events, crafts, cuisine, and lifestyles". Those who pass the Kyoto Exam will receive a "Certificate of Passing" for each level. By presenting their certificate (card), they can receive services such as discounts and exemptions to admission to cultural facilities such as Kyoto museums and art galleries. Those who pass the exam multiple times will be designated as "Kyoto Test Meisters" and will be given a cloisonné badge decorated with Swarovski crystals, corresponding to the number of times they have passed.
I think it's just too tourism gimmicky lol and there's no real merit but probably it's just a fun thing to do for Kyoto ~~nerds~~ fans.

Choyo no Sekku Festival. The Chrysanthemum Festival also known as Double 9 Festival (Sept 9). You can read more HERE. I have a hard time researching what exactly a kisewata is, if it's cotton wool, cotton silk, floss silk. But since it was a Heian term no longer used/practiced today, I guess no one knows what kind of cotton it is.

The 5PM Chime. When Raku came home, there's music heard in the background. It's the 5PM afternoon chime "Yuyake Koyake" song played on the neighborhood public speaker. This was already discussed in "Grace no Rireki".
Also, just before she arrived home, you could hear the temple bell being rung 5 times, signaling that it's 5PM.

"What a stubborn woman you are". If you did not notice, when Raku asked her step-grandma to take it easy and called her 8th Generation, and added, "Ninth Generation and I will take over", it was meant to give a message to her stepmother that she is still determined to take over as the 10th generation. You can see Miyako's reaction as if she understands what Raku really meant, that is why she called her a stubborn woman, realizing that she could not change Raku's mind, even after all that imploring for Raku to think about it first.

"Late by a hair's breadth, Yamashiro time". What was actually said: "Kaminoke ichi-pon, Yamashiro jikan". Professor Shinonome said this about his student after arriving one minute late.
It is a phrase that expresses the traditional Kyoto spirit of hospitality (consideration). It is good etiquette to arrive a little late, knowing that the other person will be busy preparing right up until the last minute, and arrive at the perfect time when the host has a chance to catch their breath. Late by "one hair" is around a minute or four, "two hairs" is 5-7 minutes. Also called "Yamashiro Time", with Yamashiro as the ancient province name of Kyoto prefecture (southern part), so it basically means "Kyoto Time".

Other filming sites:
Kaso Shrine on the grounds of Yoshida Shrine. Miyako's first stop after arriving in Kyoto. She prays to the god of confectionery for guidance, Hayashi Join (also Rin Join), a monk from China who introduced Chinese manju (which contained meat products) to Japan (sometime in the 1300s), and created the Japanese Buddhist version of it, using local, vegetarian ingredients.
Address: 8 Yoshidakaguraokacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

Honpoji Shrine. Where Miyako and Raku talked after tea. You could see them walking straight across from Salon Kuraya/Tawaraya towards the direction of the shrine.
Miyako said she gave up her dream of becoming a teacher, and cried a lot at this shrine. But it is my personal assumption that this was more than just giving up her dream. By this time, Suguru was apprenticing at Kuraya. And this was maybe when a married Suguru was sent away by her parents to work at another confectionery shop since she and he were getting too close. I could also assume that perhaps Honpoji Shrine was their secret meeting place ever since they were young, hmm...
Address: 617 Honpojimaecho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

>>>>>o<<<<<

EPISODE 3: RAKUCHU RAKUGAI

Rakuchu, Rakugai, etc. There are so many Kyoto place names in this episode. For those who are not familiar with Japanese language, it may be hard to remember these names. But the names are understandable for those familar with kanji because the kanji used denotes the meaning of the names. Rakuchu = "raku" (capital) + "chu" (inside) while Rakugai is with "gai" (outside). Kamigyo = "kami" (upper) + "gyo" (capital), Nakagyo with "naka" (middle); Shimogyo with "shimo" that means "lower part of the capital". Meanwhile "Kugemachi" means "noblemen's town". And "Rakuhoku" means "north part of raku" (the farmlands that Izuki mentioned that he thinks should not be considered Rakuchu).

BTW, which Rakuchu-Rakugai theory is more plausible? It seems the theory presented by Hiiragiko is viewed as the most acceptable one.

Types of anko mentioned. Anko is a paste made from beans like azuki beans used as filling for Japanese sweets, or topped on bread or dango. Made by boiling the beans, and mashing them. It could be smooth or chunky type.
Koshi-an. During the straining process, outer skin is removed, that is why it is the extremely smooth type, and this smoothness is achieved through skilled techniques.
Ogura-an. Using large azuki beans such as dainagon beans, and honey, sweetening them, and mixing them with koshi-an.
Uguisu-an. Made using boiled and mashed green peas, sweetened with sugar or syrup.
Shiro-an. It means "white anko", made from white kidney beans like navy beans.

Neither from the sea nor the mountains. An idiom/proverb that describes a situation where it's unclear whether something is of the sea or the mountains, in other words, it's unclear which way things will go. The literal meaning refers to an unknown object that has never been caught in the sea or on land, and because its true nature and identity are unknown, it is impossible to predict or decide how to handle it. The English equivalent is "neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring", meaning it is uncategorized. In this case, Raku is uncategorized because she is technically a Kyoto person (born there and speaks the language) but then again, not really lol.

Heian-kyo. One of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. The square or rectangular layout as shown in this episode is based on Chinese geomancy, with the Emperor's residence situated at the north or central top part of the map. The city is divided into two sections (Left and Right) by a line drawn straight down in a form of a major street called "Suzaki Oji". If you watched the "Kamakura-dono" 2023 NHK Taiga drama, you hear military official titles like "Great Guardian of the Left", or "Horse Cavalry Commander of the Right", this is what this means, with left side titles as more prominent positions than those on the right.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Urban Development and Remodeling of Kyoto. This is explained in detail HERE. In a nutshell, Hideyoshi had his own palace erected on the former site of Emperor's dairi, had odoi (walls) and moats built (clearly delineating the city borders), and had more temples set up particularly in areas later called Teranouchi and Teramachi. His "Tensho no Jiwari" (Land Division of the Tensho Period) added more vertical streets (thereby changing the map layout grid from square plots to rectangular plots).
These were all done to make Kyoto city layout more efficient and clear, protect the city from enemies, stop the spread of fire, and to make use of idle lands/plots. Most of this new city layout is still retained up to today.

Gion Festival. You can read more on this wiki article, and learn more about the yama and haka floats. If you notice in the background, Prof. Shinonome has a collection of miniature 3d images of Gion Festval floats inside his office room. The one on top of his shelf/cabinet is the Naginata Hoko float which comes out first during the parade of floats. He used this as a marker on the map of Yamahoko-cho. But Izuki wanted the professor to use instead the Kuronushi yama float which represents Izuki's neighborhood.

Yamahoko-cho as the real Rakuchu. IMO, the townspeople here considered themselves special, and are protective of their interests and since they have some considerable wealth and influence, they had moats built surrounding their town area. So for me, it sounds more like they're "the Kyoto within Kyoto within Kyoto".

"Izuyo" Kimono Wholesaler. This is based on the real kimono company Kondaya Genbei, Inc. (est. 1738), with the same address as shown in the drama. You can see the street view HERE (address: 489 Eboshiyacho, Nakagyo, Kyoto). It does feature a showroom showcasing their products and history, that was also shown in this episode. Izuki says the company name "Izuyo" comes from the first kanji 伊 (Izu) of the "Izuki" surname plus the first kanji 譽 ("kon" or "yo") of his father's given name "Kondayu". The "kon" is also the same kanji in the real-life kimono company "Kondaya".

In the scene, Izuki meets with Raku and Hiiragiko at the intersection of Karasuma and Aneyakoji. They proceed to Aneyakoji st and stop at the intersection of Muromachi. However, it cuts to the next shot of them walking farther up north past Muromachi-Sanjodori intersection, showing the elegant facade of the ryokan "Hiramatsu". Then suddenly they arrive at "Izuyo/Kondaya" kimono company.

Wakabayashi Shiho. Recurring character played by Akiyama Natsuko, and the proprietress of Bar Forest Down. She appeared in previous season, "Kyotojin no Hisakana Tanoshimi Rough Blue - Training" as the mother of one of the main characters Kotaro played by Hayashi Kento. This bar is the favorite hang-out place of the young characters of the past seasons. Shiho would serve them food and drinks and give motherly advice to those who need it. Okami-san Tsuruko and Heathrow were also regular customers.
The meaning of "Forest Down" could come from their surname Wakabayashi (means "Young Forest"), and "Down" could mean the street location ("down" = "going south" and "up" = "going north").

Other filming sites:
Nashinoki Shrine. 19th century shrine featured at the start and ending credits of this episode. Approximately 500 hagi or bush clover trees (which are shown in this episode) are planted within the shrine grounds, giving it the nickname Hagi no Miya, where the Hagi (Bush Clover) Festival is held from mid-to late September.
Address: 680 Somedonocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

Kojinguchi Bridge. Where Tsuruko stopped by after her visit to the doctor, gazing north at the mountains, worrying if she will live long enough to see future festivals and celebrate seasonal traditions which she loves so much.
Address: Kohinguchi st, Kamo River, Kyoto (street view)

Oike Koto Building. Where Raku and Hiiragiko said goodbye at the intersection of Muromachi and Oike, after their on-site research, with the lovely, eye-catching sun design at the front.
Address: 324 Oikenocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

Cafe Mole (front only). The green shrubbery-covered facade of the building, serving as the outside setting of "Bar Forest Down", which is located at Gokomachi st, up from Oshikochi st.
Address: 424 Yamamotocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

>>>>>o<<<<<

EPISODE 4: MEMORIES OF ALLEYWAYS

There isn't much explanation I can provide for this episode. I think the interesting talk with the kimono wholesaler (played by Danta Yasunori) explained well about Kyoto long-established merchant life and history; and about the importance of Muromachi street as a cultural and historical site (I mean, the Muromachi Period was named after it!), even though it is a plain-looking street, as mentioned by Hiiragiko. And the Nishijin talk as well was basically enough. There's not much to add.

"Seven Days... Seven Nights". It was a 1960 French drama film where Jeanne Moreau won the award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film festival held that year. In Japan, it is titled as "Ame no Shinobi Ai" or "Secret Meeting in the Rain".

The Couple Raku met. The Uemachi couple (Mitsuharu played by Uesugi Shozo, and Tamie played by Kusumi Kaoru) are ~~new~~ old characters from the previous seasons as well as their daughter, Hana. Hana (played by Shuri) trained under Tamai Toshio (the one who made the loaf of bread in Episode 3, owner of Tamai Bread Shop) who was played by Komoto Masahiro in the previous seasons. Hana is married to her farmer husband Eiji and her married name is Matsukage Hana.
The Uemachi dye factory that was shown is actually the Kitamura Dye Factory [北村善染工所]. Address: Ward, 167 Shinminobechō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

The Inverted Broom. A charm or spell mainly believed in Kyoto, used to get rid of overly enthusiastic or overstaying guests. It is usually a broom, placed upside down, leaning on a wall by the entrance, sometimes, with a hand towel placed on it. A possible meaning is that by bringing out the broom, one is appealing that cleaning is in progress, and that it would be helpful if guests would be considerate and leave quickly because the host or shopkeeper is busy. Another theory is that it resembles the gesture of a Shinto priest waving a gohei (ritual wand), and therefore originates from a gesture to drive away evil spirits.

Other filming sites:

Shimogoryo Shrine. The shrine that the Okami-san visited at the start of the episode. It has been revered as a shrine that wards off epidemics and disasters and protects the imperial court and the capital.
Address: Shimogoryozencho, Marutamachi, Teramachi St., Nakagro Ward, Kyoto City

Kamigamo Shrine. An important Shinto sanctuary on the banks of the Kamo River in north Kyoto, first founded in 678. The archery event known as the Kasakake Ritual is dedicated every year on the third Sunday of October by the Takeda School of Archery and Horsemanship. The event includes Tonogasakake, where the archer shoots horizontally from a galloping horse, and Ogasakake, where the archer shoots at a target on the ground.
Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto

The Nishijin neighborhood. The locations featuring Raku walking around are almost found in the same area/neighborhood and are walking distances away from each other. Aside from the dye factory mentioned above, these also include:

Mikami-Ke Rouji (Alleway). When Raku was walking around Nishijin, looking lost in a daze, remembering snippets of her childhood, as a little girl running through the alleyways holding a red balloon. The narrow alleyway she was at is called Mikami Ke Rouji (alley). I can't "get inside" the alley in the street view of Google (the camera did not capture an image of it) but it is found in the middle of this small street called Monyazuko in here Google Street View. You can see the opening of the alleway on the right side.
The Mikami-ke alleyway (take note of the name "Mikami") is where a 120 year old row house is preserved. This was once home to Nishijin textile artisans (particularly the Mikami family, hence it was named after them).
Raku then, wakes up from her daze by Uemachi, and she is suddenly in front of Uemachi/Kitamura Dye Factory.
Address: 323 Monyachō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

Uhoin Temple. Where Little Raku and her biological mom went to pray. The earthen tiled wall in the backdrop is from another nearby temple called Honryuji Temple.
Address: 9-3 Shotencho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto (street view)

comments

Shinnen Sousou Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru SP 2026: Subbing Project (Complete)

2026-02-13T02:55:04Z

Shinnen Sousou Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru SP 2026 (4 January 2026, TBS) was shown two years after the drama series Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru has ended.

In the final episode of that drama series, Ichiro returns to the Showa era after the time machine bus project got shelved. 83-year-old Inoue (Ono Takehiko) appears before Ichiro from the future and invites him into the time tunnel, saying, "Let's go to any era you like!"

The special drama depicts what happens after the series. Ichiro is now able to travel to any era he likes through the time tunnel using a time travel door. He rises up again to change the future of his daughter Junko (Kawai Yumi), and this time, he travels not only to the Reiwa era, but also to future and the past. He is assisted by Kiyoshi (Sakamoto Yamato) in changing Junko's fate, albeit being warned by his parents, Sanae (Yoshida Yo) and Inoue (Miyake Hiroki) to be careful not to cause a time paradox.
Meanwhile, Ichiro's granddaughter Nagisa (Naka Riisa), who is now married to Akitsu (Isomura Hayato), is assigned to work on a special political program. She is impressed by the comments and political stance of Taira Junko (Eguchi Noriko), a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly who appears on the program, and becomes devoted to her. Taira, with her outspoken comments, is gaining the support of the public. Will she enter national politics and become Japan's first female prime minister? On the brink of this, an incident breaks out. It involves Nagisa as well...

Ichiro wants to protect the future of Nagisa and Junko. Behind Ichiro's rampage lies in his honest feelings for his family and friends. His resolve is being tested across the times, but what will it be like?

SHINNEN SOUSOU FUTEKISETSU NI MO HODO GA ARU SP 2026

Extremely Inappropriate Early in the New Year

Written by:

KUDO KANKURO

("Amachan", "Idaten", "Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru")

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

Subs are in .ass format only, timed to raws found at ~~nyaa~~ avistaz, and D-O. Thanks for the upload!

Subs timed to:
(avistaz version)
(D-O version)

D-addicts Thread: (link)

Drama Notes/Trivia: (soon)

comments

Kyotojin no Kisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keishō (Complete)

2026-01-19T01:21:50Z

Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge - Keishō (Winter 2026, NHK) is the third installment of the "Kyotojin Series" from 2015-2017. "Kyotojin Series" is a drama and documentary series showcasing the unique values and aesthetic sensibilities of Kyoto residents. The story is set once again in one of Kyoto's most renowned Japanese confectionery shop, Kuraya Harunobu, boasting a 240-year tradition.

Eight years have passed since Sawafuji Miyako, the "Kyotoite among Kyotoites" played by Tokiwa Takako, left for France. She gave up being the next generation owner of Kuraya, by fulfilling her wish to marry the love of her life, a former Kuraya apprentice, Mikami Suguru (Ishimaru Kanji), now a successful branch manager of a Japanese confectionery shop in Paris. While Suguru visited Tokyo for a lecture, he heard some curious news about Kuraya's proprietress, Sawafumi Tsuruko (Ginpucho), who is also his mother-in-law and Miyako's mother, and went to Kyoto to see her...

Back in France, Miyako, Suguro's Paris-bred daughter from his first wife, nicknamed Raku (Hoshi Moeka), is undecided on what to do next after finishing her graduate studies. Her father, after returning from Japan, suggested the idea of continuing her studies in Kyoto City, the place of her birth. And while she's at it, to learn as well the trade of Japanese confectionery and to take over the succession of Kuraya. His wife Miyako is not too keen on the idea since it's a very daunting task. Nevertheless, Raku decides to follow her father's suggestion. In Kyoto, she becomes embroiled in the issue of succession of the long-established Kuraya. She also meets more Kyotoites, and creates new friends, including a professor at a Kyoto university, Shinonome Sakutaro (Watanabe Ken). How will Raku, who grew up in Paris, confront the "Kyoto folk" whose lives are based on long traditions, and navigate through the complicated and troublesome rules of the city?

© original synopsis by: earthcolors

KYOTOJIN NO KISOKANA TANOSHIMI ROUGE - KEISHO

The Discreet Joys of Kyoto Folk ROUGE - Succession

Written and Directed by:

Minamoto Takashi

("True Colors", "Grace no Rireki", "Nakamura Nakazo" SPs, "KyotoJin" series)

Music by:
ABE UMITARO

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

Subs are in .ass format only, timed to raws found at nyaa (search using 京都人の密か) and D-O. Thanks for the upload!
So far, raws available at nyaa are only up to Ep5. I will retime once they're available.

You don't need to watch previous seasons. It's pretty understandable.
Anyway, I'm including explanations in the subs and on this blog (see links below).

Complete Subs:
EP 1-9 (HERE)

Contains Episode Titles:

Ep 01: Eleven-Headed Kannon

Ep 02: Stronghold

Ep 03: Rakuchu Rakugai

Ep 04: Memories of Alleyways

Ep 05: The True Flower

Ep 06: Qualifications of a Successor

Ep 07: How to Draw the Curtain

Ep 08: The Women of Miyako

Ep 09 Finale: Okera Mairi

D-addicts Thread: (link)

Drama Notes/Trivia:
Episodes 1-4 (link)
Episodes 5-7 (link)
Episodes 8-9 (link)

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Kodoku no Gurume New Year's Eve SP 2025: Subbing Project (Complete)

2026-01-05T06:49:29Z

Kodoku no Gurume 2025 New Year's Eve Special (TV Tokyo 31 Dec 2025). Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) is tasked with procuring rice and ingredients for onigiri (rice balls) to be distributed at a New Year's Eve countdown event at Asakusa Hanayashiki Amusement Park. A job request he can't refuse, Goro, along with his Mini buddy, looking slightly different than usual, set off on the long journey, from Sado Island, Niigata to Yonezawa, Yamagata, to collect the perfect onigiri ingredients. As Goro races to beat the deadline, he finds himself hungry and indulges in the bounty of the sea and mountains he encounters at every stop... What kind of gourmet delights will Goro discover this year? Will he be able to finish off New Year's Eve with freshly cooked onigiri rice balls during the live broadcast?
Also for the first time in five years, this 2025 New Year's Eve Special will feature a partial live broadcast!

Guest Stars: Shinkawa Yua, Morinaga Yuki, Fukuzawa Jubun, Nozomi Yazaki, Hirata Atsuko, Tajima Reiko, Tsukamoto Takashi

Kodoku no Gurume 2025 New Year's Eve Special

"Second Helpings Are Delivered by Goro Himself!"

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

There are two versions:
One (uploaded at nyaa) with live broadcast parts, with TV ads included. Quality is not so great but not so bad either. So far this is the only available one with live broadcast. Hopefully, someone will upload a better version someday.
The other one (U-NEXT, D-O, Avistaz) has no live broadcast, and has a shorter ending.

I will release both.
Update: done!

Subtitles:

With LIVE: (HERE)
No LIVE: (HERE)

Masterpost of KodoGuru Seasons/Episodes/SPs: (link)

D-addicts Thread: (link)

bsky: (trivia notes)

comments

Planned Projects: Fall 2025 - Winter 2026

2025-11-18T06:08:39Z

Announcing subbing projects:

Kodoku no Gurume NYE SP 2025.
It hasn't been announced yet, but there are reports of sightings of a TV filming crew at a yakiniku restaurant in Tohoku.
As you know, Matsushige was recently assigned as a promotional person for Fukushima Prefecture so it is speculated that Fukushima might be included in the SP which again, hasn't been announced yet.
11/20/2025: Update: It has been announced alrdy!
Update: DONE!

Tentative: Shinnen Sousou Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru! ~Majime na Hanashi, Shicha Dame desu ka?~
The NY special of Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru! to be shown on January 4 2026.
No announcement if it'll be shown on NF. If it is, I will drop this project.
Update: DONE!

Kyotojin no Hisokana Tanoshimi Rouge Keishō.
NHK Premium Drama by director and writer Minamoto Takashi. This is a continuation of his "Secret Pleasures of Kyoto Folk" series from 2015-2017. It's okay if you haven't seen the series, I haven't either. And there are no raws being seeded or English subs available. But I've seen some parts uploaded in streaming sites and read some synopses, so no worries, I will try to explain some background info before the series starts on Jan 4 2026.
Update: DONE!

New! Tantei-san, Ruck Aitemasu yo!
Conceptualized by its lead actor Matsuda Ryuhei and his friend/director of his 2023 drama "0.5 no Otoko", Okita Shuichi. Starts Jan 9 2026.
Update: DONE!

That's all for now~

comments

KNG THE MOVIE: SUBBING PROJECT (Complete)

2025-10-04T06:45:17Z

"Kodoku no Gurume, The Movie" is a feature film released on January 10 2025, by Toho Ltd and TV Tokyo for the latter's 60th anniversary. Written and directed by its star, Matsushige Yutaka, the story follows his character Inogashira Goro as he travels the world in search of the ultimate soup.

Goro, an import goods trader, receives a request from Chiaki, the daughter of his former lover, Sayuki, and heads to France. Upon arriving in Paris, he satisfies his usual hunger and visits the client, Chiaki's grandfather, Ichiro. Ichiro desires to rediscover a soup he drank as a child and asks Goro to find the recipe and ingredients. Relying on only a few clues, Goro travels to France, Korea, Nagasaki, and Tokyo in search of this mysterious soup. However, he encounters various people and incidents along the way, gradually becoming embroiled in something bigger.

The film also stars the following actors: Uchida Yuki plays Shiho, a woman living on an island that is Korean territory; Isomura Hayato plays Nakagawa, a young man who helps Goro find the soup; Anne plays Chiaki, who invites Goro to France; Shiomi Sansei plays Chiaki's grandfather Ichiro; Odagiri Joe plays the owner of the ramen shop "Sanserite/Sincérité"; Murata Takehiro plays Takiyama, Goro's friend and fellow goods merchant; and Yoo Jaemyung from the TV drama "Itaewon Class" makes a special appearance as a Korean immigration inspector.

KODOKU NO GURUME

The MOVIE

==A TV Tokyo 60th Anniversary Commemorative Work==

Written & Directed by:
MATSUSHIGE YUTAKA

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

Subs are in .ass format only, timed to raws found at avistaz.
It also works with the raw at D-O. Thanks for the upload!

SUBS (link)

Enjoy~!

comments

HappyKanako at Ueno Zoo!

2025-03-25T04:55:16Z

The drama Happy Kanako filmed a promotional video at Ueno Zoo. I love the drama, and was happy to see both its stars interacting as themselves in this video so I decided to fansub it. I'm most especially thrilled for Nonchan, and love how her Fujigaya-senpai took care of her like a true big bro. Special thanks to skeweds translations and Ais for letting me sub this...

Notes:

These are hardsubs by the way.

These are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.
Please visit the yt site to help with the views.

Link: (subs)

comments

KNG Related Fansubs and More (Update 3)

2025-01-26T04:45:55Z

For all KNG fans, I will post here all my fansubs of socmed videos related to KodoGuru (and its main actor and author), mostly posted on YT. For now, these include promotional videos for the KNG 2025 movie.
And as you know, actor MY and original writer QMhave their own YT content (talking about stuff not really related to KNG), and I might also fansub their content in the future, and will post them here. So please check this post from time to time, as I'm going to continue to update it.
Sorry, I don't take requests, since I will sub only those that interest me.

Notes:
These are hardsubs by the way.

These are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

I have included a notepad file with the YT/TK link sources.
Please visit the sites and watch the original videos to help with the views.

There are two folders (link below): "MY" (subs related to the actor) and "QM" (subs related to the author)

Enjoy~!

MAIN FOLDER (link)

Sub Folder 1: MY (link)

A) KNG MOVIE PROMO VIDS:
Movie trailers and short promotional videos of Goro eating abroad all compiled in one video
Format: hardsubs
Folder: MY

Contains:

- Trailer 1
- Trailer 2
- Part 1: River Seine
- Part 2: Eiffel Tower
- Part 3: Arc de Triomphe
- Part 4: Geoje Island, SK

B) KNG MOVIE STAGE GREETINGS
Featuring Goro and Rokuro, filmed 1/19/2025
for Movie Stage Greetings
Format: hardsubs
Folder: MY

C) KNG MOVIE COMMENTARY
Featuring actor/director MY commenting
on four scenes in the movie compiled into one video
Format: muxed subs
Folder: MY

D) KNG MOVIE HK PROMO: FOOD CHALLENGE
YM tries HK food, while promoting the movie in HK
Format: hardsubs
Folder: MY

LATEST UPDATE!
E) KNG MOVIE TAIWAN PROMO: NIGHT MARKET

YM reunites with a guest from Season 5
and gets to visit a Taiwanese Night Market
Format: hardsubs
Folder: MY

========================

Sub Folder 2: QM (link)

A) QM GOTO ISLANDS TOUR Parts 1-2:

A video of Part 1 and 2 of QM touring Goto Islands, one of the settings of the movie
Format: hardsubs
Folder: QM

Contains:
- Part 1: Goto Islands Tour
- Part 2: Goto Islands Tour

LATEST UPDATE!
B) QM LOCAHUNT GUESTING CUT
QM is interviewed as a guest on a YT channel of a comedian
as they go to QM's favorite restos in Kichijoji.
Featuring only cut parts of QM's interview.
Date of filming: 1/11/2025
Format: hardsub
Folder: QM

comments

True Colors: Subbing Project (Complete)

2025-01-07T05:35:10Z

"TRUE COLORS", an NHK Premium Drama (Winter 2025) that stars Kurashina Kana as Tachibana Misaki, who had gained fame as a top photographer in the fashion world, along with the support of her assistant Ippei (Morinaga Yuki), and editor-in-chief who discovered and nurtured her, Makigami Shinya (Takito Kenichi). Just when she is about to reach the peak of her success, she is informed by her opthalmologist (Kaname Jun) that she has a serious, incurable eye disease. She returns to her hometown of Amakusa in despair, where she reunites with her childhood friend Shotaro (Maiguma Katsuya) and her high school teacher Kato (Kato Masaya). However, she has hesitations meeting again her family: her sister, Nanase (Hoshi Moeka) whom she left crying when she ran away from home 18 years ago, and her mother Shinobi (Kaku Chikaku) whom she hasn't forgiven for remarrying, to a man Taichiro (Watanabe Ken), 4 years after her father's death. Will she be able to crawl out of the depths of despair after being forced to retire? This is a human love story for adults that is the best recommendation for this winter, set in Tokyo, Amakusa, and Italy.

TRUE COLORS

Written and Directed by:
Minamoto Takashi
("Grace no Rireki", "Nakamura Nakazo" SPs, "The Secret Lives Of Kyoto Folk" series)

Based on his novel, "Watashi Dake no Iris"

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

Subs are in .ass format only, timed to raws found at nyaa so far. Thanks for the upload!

Complete Subs:
nyaa - (subs)
d-o - (subs)

Episode Titles:

Ep 01: Diva of Colors
Ep 02: Fallen Goddess
Ep 03: The Island She Abandoned
Ep 04: The Outcome of the Homecoming
Ep 05: Where You Are Standing Right Now
Ep 06: Memories That Have Washed Ashore
Ep 07: What Happened on a Stormy Night
Ep 08: One's Personal Rainbow
Ep 09 Final: True Colors

D-addicts Thread (link)

comments

Planned Projects: Winter 2025

2024-12-15T21:43:01Z

Subbing these next...

Kodoku no Gurume 2024 New Year’s Eve SP.
Why of course...
If you're curious to know, I am not planning on subbing the movie which will be shown in January 2025 because it already has foreign language subs (as evidenced by its release in international film fests). I hope the movie goes well!

True Colors (NHK).
From writer/director Minamoto Takashi whose previous works I've fansubbed (Grace no Rireki, Chushingura Rhapsody No. 5: Nakamura Nakazo Shusse no Kizahashi, Rising Jakuchu).

Also, since a lot of dramas are being fansubbed already, I'm thinking of subbing more episodes of variety shows like "Tsurube's Salute to Families" and "Tetsuko no Heya", but only those that interest me. But it's not yet sure, so don't expect anything yet.

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Tantei! Knight Scoop (11/1/2024) ~Tribute to Nishida Toshiyuki~: Subbing Project (Complete)

2024-11-24T12:06:10Z

"Tantei! Knight Scoop" is a viewer-participation variety show produced by Asahi TV since 1988. The studio is likened to a detective agency (referred to as a "Detective Bureau" on the show), and requests sent in by viewers are investigated by detective bureau members together with the viewer who made the request, and a video of the process is shown.
This subbing project focuses on this tribute special to Toshiyuki Nishida, the second director of "Tantei! Knight Scoop," who passed away on October 17, which was shown on November 1 on Asahi TV. For 19 years since 2001, Nishida loved the show and made it popular with his warm, tearful and pure personality. A photo of Nishida with a gentle smile is displayed on the director's seat in the studio. His second secretary Okabe Mari, his third secretary Matsuo Erika, the detectives and current secretary Masuda Saori, are lined up in mourning clothes, remembering the beloved director with sad fondness, and his contribution to the show. This special broadcast looks back on three of the Knight Scoop cases that Nishida had loved: "The Case of the Parents Who Haven't Spoken To Each Other For Over 10 Years", "The Case of the 97 Year Old Magician", and "The Case of the Postcards from Leyte Island".

~TANTEI! KNIGHT SCOOP~
A Tribute to Second Director, NISHIDA TOSHIYUKI
Aired Date: 11/01/2024

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

JP-EN Translation, Editing, Styling and Fine-Timing:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Subs Link: (HERE)
Raw Link: (HERE)

comments

Sorezore no Kodoku no Gurume + 2024 NYE SP: Subbing Project (Complete)

2024-10-13T10:52:06Z

Sorezore no Kodoku no Gurume (Fall 2024, TV Tokyo), is a drama broadcast celebrating TV Tokyo's 60th anniversary, as a special edition of "Kodoku no Gurume".

"Kodoku no Gurume (Solo Feast)" starring Matsushige Yutaka has been in broadcast as a late-night drama on TV Tokyo for 10 seasons. It is a popular gourmet documentary/drama that depicts the blissful time of the main character Inogashira Goro, who runs an import goods business, stopping by a restaurant he finds while on a business trip and eating whatever he wants. This is the 11th work in the 12th year since the broadcast began, and was conceived and planned by Matsushige Yutaka himself. The happy act of eating alone, without being disturbed by anyone and without having to worry about anything is a blissful time that is given to everyone equally. This time, "Sorezore no Kodoku no Gurume" is an omnibus gourmet drama that features guests, who are depicted using their perspective, and freely enjoying to-each-his/her-own "solo feast", regardless of gender, age, occupation, or environment. This time, it is not only Inogashira Goro, but each protagonist will encounter exquisite gourmet food.

\\ SOREZORE NO KODOKU NO GURUME //
(To Each His Own Solitary Feast)

==A TV Tokyo 60th Anniversary Special Edition==

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

Subs are in .ass format only, timed to raws found at nyaa and drama-otaku. Thanks for the upload!

Complete Batch Subs
Timed to MagicStar raws (HERE)
Timed to D-O raws (HERE)

Episode Titles:
Ep 01: Shrimp Fried Rice and Seafood Spring Rolls of Machiya, Arakawa Ward, Tokyo
Ep 02: Breakfast at a Self-Serving Shokudo in Tanizaike, Adachi Ward, Tokyo
Ep 03: Premium Tongue Salt-Seasoned and Geta Kalbi of Jimbocho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Ep 04: Sunny-Side Up Hamburg Steak and Sea Urchin Cream Croquette of Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture - (trivia notes)
Ep 05: Sauna Food of Higashi-Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo -
Ep 06: Pork Belly-Daikon and Deep Fried Dolphinfish of Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture -
Ep 07: Gyoza and Rice of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture - (trivia notes)
Ep 08: Waraji Tonkatsu of Shiraitodai, Fuchu City, Tokyo - (trivia notes)
Ep 09: Pork-Kimchi & Egg Stir Fry Set Meal of Katori City, Chiba Prefecture - (trivia notes)
Ep 10: South Indian Lunch of Arai, Nakano Ward, Tokyo - (trivia notes)
Ep 11: Chicken Teriyaki and Assorted Side Dishes Set Meal of Kichijoji, Musashino City, Tokyo - (trivia notes)
Ep Finale 12: Fatty Tuna Fish Head Meat and Chicken Mizutaki of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture - (trivia notes)

Kodoku no Gurume 2024 New Year's Eve Special (TV Tokyo 31 Dec 2024). This year marks the eighth consecutive year that the "The Solitary Gourmet New Year's Eve Special" series will be broadcast. This time, Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) will be heading to Nagano, near the Sea of Japan! Goro has been asked by Kajiwara Toshiyuki (Mitsuishi Ken) the director of a movie theater in Yokohama to deliver "a certain film" to Hachioji. He had accepted the errand as his last job of the year, but Goro, who cannot refuse requests wherever he goes, gets caught up in an unexpected situation and ends up heading to Nagano to deliver the film. Goro heads north in his beloved Mini, but he gives up his year-end holidays, to drive long distances, making him extremely hungry. What kind of gourmet food will Goro encounter along the way, who are the people he comes into contact with in those places, and what are the feelings he learns behind the film...?

Guest Stars: Mitsuishi Ken, Hinagata Akiko, Tsukamoto Shinya, Tanaka Misako, Izumiya Shigeru, Suzuki Sawa

Kodoku no Gurume 2024 New Year's Eve Special
"From the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Japan
Goro, Go North to Where Those People Are"

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Note:

Timed to raws found and uploaded at nyaa, drama-otaku

Subtitles:
Nyaa: (subs)
D-O: (subs)

Masterpost of KodoGuru Seasons/Episodes/SPs: (link)

D-addicts Thread: (link)

bsky: (trivia notes)

comments

Owari ni Mita Machi: Subbing Project (Complete)

2024-10-03T06:56:47Z

"Owari ni Mita Machi" (The Town I Saw at the End") is a TV special shown on the 21 September 2024 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of TV Asahi's launch. In 2024, Tamiya Taichi (Oizumi Yo) works as a scriptwriter for TV Asahi who has not had a successful masterpiece yet. He lives in a peaceful subdivision near the Tama River with his wife Hikari (Yoshido Yo), who works part-time at a dog clothing store, his teenage daughter Nobuko (Touma Ami), his elementary aged son Minoru (Imaizumi Otoya), his mother Kiyoko (Mita Yoshiko), who is beginning to show symptoms of dementia, and their beloved dog Leo. One day, TV Asahi producer Teramoto Masaomi (Katsuji Ryo) asks Taichi to write the script for the "80th Anniversary of the End of the War Special Drama," and he accepts the request. Taichi falls asleep while looking through a huge amount of war-related materials sent to his house, but wakes up to a bang and finds himself transported back in time to June 1944 along with his family and his house. Later, he learns that Kojima Toshio (Tsutsumi Shinichi), the nephew of his late father's war comrade, and his son, Shinya (Oku Tomoya), have also traveled back in time, and they decide to work together to survive until the end of the war.
The story, based on the 1981 book by Yamada Taichi with the same title, is adapted for television in 2024 by Kudo Kankuro.
© original text by: earthcolors

OWARI NI MITA MACHI
The Town I Saw At the End

Based on the novel by:
YAMADA TAICHI

Screenplay Adaptation:
KUDO KANKURO

Subtitles by Wabi-Sabi Subs

Translation / Fine Timing / Styling:

earthcolors

These softsubs are for personal or reference use only.

These are not for sale, reposting or re-uploading.

If you wish to inform others of it, kindly redirect them here.

Do not re-edit and release as your own.

If you wish to do anything with these translations, please let me know.

Notes:

This is one of the last TV drama appearances of actor Nishida Toshiyuki who passed away on Oct 17 2024.
Timed to the raw uploaded at DO.

Subs: (HERE)

D-addicts thread: (link)

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Planned Project: Summer-Fall 2024

2024-09-18T08:29:52Z

Subbing these next...

Drama: Sore Zore no Kodoku no Gurume.
It's KodoGuru but with different take...

SP: Owari ni Mita Machi
Will be shown on Sept 21.

That is all for now~

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FuteHodo Final Ep10: Drama Notes

2024-04-08T02:00:47Z

Final Ep. 10: "Do I Have to Update?"

Numbered Cigarette Brands. On the last episode, Ogawa has already familiarized himself with how to buy cigarettes from a store, compared to the first episode. If you're wondering why he has to say a number, instead of the cigarette brand, this article explains: "Each tobacco brand in Japan is assigned a number, and it's customary for customers to say the number at the counter when purchasing a 20-cigarette pack at a convenience store." Also, there are plenty of cigarette brands in Japan and different types for each, so having a designated number for each leads to a convenient and faster transaction for the store clerk

"Like a makanai meal". When Akitsu was singing a karaoke song, his boss said, "A broken-hearted song by a broken-hearted man is like eating a makanai meal". A makanai meal is food served by an employer to his staff. I guess what he meant is, you can't choose what kind of meal you'll get since it's free and to just accept it. Someone at karaoke who is broken-hearted will naturally sing a song about heartbreak, and you're expected to listen as a way to sympathize, and no choice but to accept it.

Mutsugoro Animal Kingdom. Mutsugoro (above) was also mentioned in Ep1. Master of Scandal Cafe is a fan of Mutsugoro, real name, Hata Masanori who died just last year. He founded a private zoo in Hokkaido in the 70s, called it "Mutsugoro Animal Kingdon" but it was not open to the public. He also founded the Mutsu Farm in a nearby area where he lived, and wrote about his life, caring for animals in the farm and zoo. He did open an animal theme park called "Tokyo Mutsugoro Animal Kingdom" in Tokyo in 2004 but it eventually closed due to low customer turn-out.

Sushiro's Sushi Gunkan. Ichiro said he wants to go back to Reiwa and watch TBS variety show "Love It" while eating Salad Gunkan (a type of sushi roll made of sushi rice wrapped in seaweed and topped with salad usually mixed with mayo) from Sushiro, one of the well-known conveyor belt sushi shops.

The Sending Off Scenes. It reminded me of Amachan and Ida10. When Ogawa said there were a few people who showed up for his send-off, it reminded me of Aki's Grandpa's send off scene in Ep. 43.
When Kiyoshi told Ogawa to keep the smartphone, it is similar to Ida10 Ep.13 when Mishima let Kanakuri keep the camera.

Deviation Value Score 30. It is what "dumb" Junko got as a score at first, making her the "bottom-ranking sukeban". According to this reddit post, getting a score of 30 is below the lowest score, and that a score like this is not even calculated. However, in the end, Junko made a complete, miraculous turnaround. Her latest score in this episode is now 61.2 (as shown in the pic above), which is considered "Excellent", which means she can likely pass the "great national / public schools and the top remaining privates like MARCH (Meiji, Aoyama, Rikkyo, Chuo, Hosei), best privates in Kansai (Ristumeikan, Doshisha) and a few privates that straddle the line between MARCH level and Elite level (Sophia, a couple others)." It seems Junko and her friend Tomomi were aiming for Aoyama (AoGaku) and Sophia University. I didn't see any indication from this episode but it was assumed Junko got into the university of her choice which was AoGaku.

Male nipples not allowed on streaming channels? Not sure if this only applies to YouTube Japan and other Japanese streaming sites. There were instances in Japan that videos uploaded showing men's nipples get taken down. There is a theory that says, YouTube uses AI to search for bare breasts in all videos uploaded, and it could not distinguish whether these are male or female breasts. But there are still some videos of naked torsos of body-builders, for example, that are allowed, and not taken down, so AI theory doesn't seem probable. Of course, many streaming platforms do warn not to "post content if it shows the depiction of clothed or unclothed genitals, breasts, or buttocks that are meant for sexual gratification."

Song Inspiration. The final musical number "Tolerance" seems to be a kind of ondo style song or a traditional Japanese dance song which is a happy song played mostly in festivals, Obon celebrations, and parties.
"In this kind of world..." The lyrics sung by Kurita is a reference to the 1998 song "POISON ～言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は～ (In this Kind of World Where You Can't Say What You Want~)", which is the theme song of GTO, which in turn got revived for GTO Revival 2024. And also, take note that the actor who played the old Reiwa Master (above right), Numata Baku, also appeared in the 1998 GTO (maybe that is why he was shown in this shot).
BTW, the guitar he's using looks like rocker Hotei Tomoyasu's signature black and white guitar. It's not clear whether it's actor Yamamoto Koji's personal property or borrowed from Hotei but it is said they are friends in real life.

Foreshadowing and Pay-Off. I guess the foreshadowing was literally doing away with the pay-off as mentioned in Ep7 (above), when Ogawa said that the final episode not being decided is the best way to go. So the final episode's ending which is an open ending might be what Ogawa was talking about, meaning we still don't know what will happen to him and Junko in 1995 (whether they died or one of them got saved, etc). Indeed, I think it's best we not know. The 1995 earthquake shouldn't be tackled anymore since it can open up ethical issues, like why only save yourself or your own loved one, and not save others if you know an earthquake is coming? It could be a delicate and sensitive matter for those who had lost loved ones in the disaster. So, for me, it's best to end it this way, and not tackle it any further.

The Ending Disclaimer. If you didn't notice from the ending disclaimer for this final episode... instead of the usual, "we intentionally used the expressions from 1986", this time it said "2024". Jokingly, it means that someday, even this drama will become a thing of the past (mukashi-banashi), and since society and values always change, some scenes and dialogues shown won't probably age well, or become offensive to people in the future. (Actually, there were already complaints voiced out regarding Ep5 scene where Ogawa tried to smoke in front of Yuzuru who had trouble breathing, TBS issued an apology afterwards).

Hope you had fun, and thanks for reading and watching~!

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FuteHodo Ep9: Drama Notes

2024-03-31T07:19:05Z

Ep. 9: "Is it Necessary to Categorize?"

Akitsu-kun's Attributes. Akitsu gave his attributes to the dating app "Un-MAY" in order to find the perfect match for him. If you're interested to know what he put in:
Age = 29
Gender Identity = Male
Educational Background = College
Annual Income = 4.5 million
Personality = My Pace
Hobbies = Sauna
Resto-Type You'd Like to Go to = Curry
Favorite Part of Yakiniku = Tongue
Type of Ramen = Tonkotsu
Favorite Tea = Jasmine Tea
First part of the body you wash = Chest
What time you eat dinner = 8PM
What train car no. you usually ride = No. 8

Sushizanmai. It is the signature pose of the Kimura Kiyoshi, president of sushi chain Kiyomura, and one of their stores, is called Sushizanmai. You can watch him HERE.

Ultraman's Color Timer. Yasumori-sensei thought Sakae's blinking phone is a color timer. This is a "light-emitting device or organ located on the chest of most Ultras, that indicates their remaining power level." It starts to blink red if they're low on power. Read more HERE.

Ogawa's Chome Puns.
"1 Chome". Sakae said she "should have at least done 1 chome" when she was in the Showa era. Ichiro laughed and quipped, "It sounds like 'Wow! Higashimurayama". It's a song created in 1968 to commemorate the establishment of Higashimurayama City, Tokyo. There are many versions, but the most famous one is by Shimura Ken who made it into a catchy traditional dance song with added lyrics "Wow! Higashimurayama. Icchome, Icchome (1 chome)!" Hear it HERE.
"Sunset at 3 Chome". Ogawa sent a message to Sugiyama who was trying to concieve. He made a pun/joke about doing "3 chome chome" during a three day weekend, and to do it at night, and jokingly called it "Sanchome no Yuhi" or "3 Chome Sunset", which is a 2005 movie, with the English title, "Always: Sunset on Third Street".

"Ne Mastah, Hayaku!" "Hey, Master, hurry up!". Ogawa said it twice in the episode, urging Master of Scandal Cafe to be quick. It is part of the lyrics of "Shitsuren (Heartbreak) Restaurant" sung at the end of the song. It was also mentioned in Amachan ep109, that's why I'm familiar with it haha. You can listen HERE.

One More Time, One More Chance. Akitsu's preferred heartbreak song, sung beautifully by Ogawa thru karaoke. It was by Yamazaki Masayoshi. But viewers were wondering how Ogawa would know it since it was released in 1997. Listen to it HERE.

Matchmaking Meetings Sponsored by the Local Government. It was supposed to be how Inoue and Sakae met. Translated from HERE via google: "Nowadays, with the declining birthrate, it is not uncommon for local governments to rush to take measures to counter the declining birthrate. As part of their efforts to combat the declining birthrate, many local governments are providing matchmaking support services. Many people feel a sense of security because the matchmaking event is sponsored by a local government. The event content is extensive, and you can receive detailed support from staff. The rules for matchmaking and matchmaking parties are clearly defined, so there is less chance of getting lost or confused." It is also to attract young people to their local areas and settle there.

"The time machine is over". Inoue sang it as a joke, to the tune of the fun 1979 song "Time Machine ni Onegai" (Please Give me a Time Machine) by Sadistic Mika Band. You can hear a version sung by Nounen Rena (Non) HERE.

Hometown Tax Donation. Yashima has been shown looking at a real hometown tax donation website "Furunavi" in Ep 1 and 9. This website explains how "Furusato Nozei" works: "All residents in Japan are required to pay a Residence Tax to the city or town they are living in as of January 1st. However, since most of Japan’s population is concentrated in urban areas, there is a huge tax revenue disparity between urban and rural municipalities. The Hometown Tax Program is a way to balance out that disparity in tax revenue. This is called a “tax” program, but think of it more like a donation.

Through the Hometown Tax Program, you can choose the amount of money you want to donate. From the amount you donated, you’ll receive a tax deduction from your Residence Taxes the following year, minus 2000. Plus, you’ll also receive a thank-you gift from the municipality you donated to! Gifts can include local specialties, handicrafts, and more!"
Yashima's hometown is Nara but the return gift of snow crabs was from Hokkaido. In Furusato Nozei, you are allowed to make donations to any town or city, aside from your hometown.

Boobs on terrestrial TV. It was not only during the Showa era but also went on up to Heisei era. Naked breasts have been gradually purged from Japanese prime time since 2000, and the last time breasts were reportedly seen on terrestrial television in Tokyo was on January 7, 2012 on a TV Asahi drama's "Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi Final.'' However there was also a bit of a later incident of a nipple slip by Yuma Asami on a TV Osaka show in 2012, that got a lot of angry feedback from viewers. After that, breasts became regulated not only in variety shows and dramas, but also in medical programs such as breast cancer screening, using mosaic or pixelization. However, it seems bare breasts of women from indigenous tribes are still allowed to be shown.
In my experience, though I haven't scoured much of the earlier TV shows, the bare boobs I've seen shown on Japanese TV were the ones from "Shinya Shokudo" Season 1, which was the "Potato Salad" Ep4 (2009), and one episode of an Arashi late night show (I forgot, maybe 2007 G no Arashi?) where Matsumoto Jun was doing a field report about breast cancer screening.

Passed away at age 28. Junko was 26 in January of 1995 when she passed away since she was born in November 1968. But the age on her tombstone says "28". This is based on East Asian age reckoning wherein ages calculated this way are always 1 or 2 years greater than those calculated solely by birthdays. Read more HERE.

Song Inspiration:
Obviously the song "One Chan(ce)/Wanchan" is based on "One" from "A Chorus Line". Give it a watch HERE.
First of all, wasn't it simply a stroke of genius? I was wondering why KudoKan made Furuta Arata's character a heart attack survivor, or if it's a foreshadowing device for a future episode. Turns out it was all for this musical scene omg! Yuzuru needing his oxygen tank was used as a prop to make it look like he's dancing with a hat and a cane ala "Chorus Line" haha! And also, collapsing, being helped up, and having his robe placed on his shoulders, was a gag tribute to James Brown's signature cape routine (which was also joked about in Amachan Ep49 - above right pic-, it makes me want to watch Amachan all over again lol).
Was it "One Chan(ce)" or "Wanchan"? At first, I thought Yuzuru was singing "Wanchan". But looking closely, the way it was spelled was indeed "One Chan(ce)", plus Yuzuru raising his arm, and showing off his forefinger, indicating "one" while dancing. Therefore, it was a play on Nagisa's pet name "Wanchan" (and with the dog barking "Wan! Wan!"). Besides, Yuzuru (and Ogawa) never called her "Wanchan". She is only called that by her co-workers (as explained in my notes from Ep 2).

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FuteHodo Ep8: Drama Notes

2024-03-28T07:34:59Z

Ep. 8: "Is It All Over If You Messed Up Once?"

The Three Year Itch. The main theme for this episode obviously is infidelity. In the west, there is something called "7 Year Itch" which is a "popular belief that happiness in a marriage or long-term relationship declines after around seven years" that could lead to discontent or boredom, and in turn, leads to seeking companionship outside marriage. In Japan, it's 3 years or what they call "3-Nen-me no uwaki" (cheating on the third year of marriage). This is the title of the 1982 song by musical duo "Hiroshi and Kibo". This is also the song inspiration of this episode's musical number (more explanation below). Kurita also revealed in this episode that he cheated on his 3rd year of marriage.
Most notable examples of "3-Nen-me no uwaki" among famous Japanese celebrity couples, were those of couples, Nakama Yukie and Tanaka Tetsushi (he was caught cheating on 3rd year of marriage but are still together), and Adachi Yumi and Idoda Jun (who divorced each other after 3 years of marriage).

Kotatsu articles or critiques. KudoKan really took a swipe (lol) against these so-called journalists who does "flimsy articles" from the "comforts of their kotatsu", without having to get scoops or go out and do their own original research or interviews. They mostly get available info from the internet, and rehash them into "articles". They also take quotes from comments of netizens from social media, and call it "news". This article quotes Sawai Atsushi, a Keio University professor, who said kotatsu critiques are "based on assumptions on information gathered from TV news and the web, often distorting the truth and adding catchy subtitles in aim to earn click-through counts."

Adultery Scandal of Japanese Celebrities. Viewers were wondering who is the model that the character of sports announcer Kuramochi Takeru is based on. There is no clear answer since there were plenty of cheating scandals for the past few years. But the closest one is probably comedian and TV presenter Watabe Ken who is married to Sazaki Nozomi. Watabe admitted to committing multiple affairs. But the couple are still together, and even had a child 3 years after the cheating was exposed. He was suspended and stopped appearing on TV because of the scandal. But he is reportedly gradually starting to show up first in minor, non-terrestrial TV shows starting 2022, and currently seems to be working his way back into national terrestrial TV.

Tsumamigui. Announcer Kuramochi's wife Yoko asked the public to forgive her husband for doing "tsumamigui". It basically means "snacking on the sly" or "nibbling on the side" or "eating with one's fingers", and It could also be used as a slang for "philandering" and "embezzlement".

Kyon Kyon. None other than Koizumi Kyoko, no need to explain. But viewers noticed that Kyon Kyon appeared on this episode about cheating scandals while she herself was involved in one recently.
Kyon Kyon "appeared" in this episode as her 1986 self. If you want to see what "small-faced" Kyon Kyon looked like in 1986, watch THIS.

Sailors. Take note that little Sakae-chan is wearing authentic Sailors in this episode, with the logo of "Sailor-kun" on her shirt. This was a famous apparel brand mentioned in Ep 1, which were mostly trainors or sweatshirts that were popularized by idols in the 80s most especially Onyanko Club. It started selling in 1985, and there was only one store that sold it exclusively in Shibuya. It was so popular that the store can only handle 2,000 customers per day or 40 customers per 15 minutes. That is why Junko was delightfully surprised at first when she thought her father was able to buy her one.

Delinquent Youths of Japan. There were many slang words for delinquent youths (abazure, yankee, color gang) that were mentioned all throughout this drama. More terms:
Sukeban. Refers to either the leader of a girl gang or the entire gang itself. More HERE.
Tsuppari. Term used to refer to boys and girls who engage in delinquent behavior or delinquency.
Gure. From "gureta wakamono" which means wayward or delinquent youth or a young person who strayed from the right path.
They are basically a subculture that have their own look, way of speaking, and rules. They look like the above pictures, and they are the ones that Junko was talking about, that have gone "extinct", or are no longer existing today. There are still troubled youths and gangs up to today but they certainly don't look like that anymore.

"This is just like KinTsuma!". Aside from the patio, what made Kurita's patio party look like KinTsuma? The families in KinTsuma (Season 3 in particular) were from above middle class status, and lived an ideal, stylish, above average lifestyle. That is why, we get to hear the husbands' occupation (architect, clinic director) to indicate their above middle class status. And the wives' nicknames "Pocky" and "Taiko" were a nod to the nicknames of some of the main women characters in the KinTsuma S3 as well: one was nicknamed "Take" (bamboo) because of her slender appearance; another was "Okoma" because she was always doing something in a hurry like a "koma-nezumi" (a small mouse); and also, there was "Noro" (slow) because of her laid back personality and slow movements.
By the way, as mentioned in the notes of Ep5, "Pocky" is played by Yashima's real-life wife, Miyashita Kyoko. But instead of Pocky, she now looks more like Kinoko no Yama or Chocorooms.

Song Inspiration:
As stated, the musical part, "3 Year April Fools" song sung by Ichiro and and Yuri (above) was based on this song "3-Nen-me no Uwaki" by Hiroshi and Kibo, listen HERE. Based on the lyrics, a man and woman are arguing over the man's infidelity while they're saying to each other: "Don't say stupid things ("Baka itten janaiyo" or don't be ridiculous)!". That is the joke behind the exchange in the scene below when Ichiro was quoting the song:

In the song, it seems the woman is leaving him. The man is arguing with the woman, basically saying she is overreacting, that it was only a 3 Year Itch, and citing the usual "I'm a man, it's only natural I cheat" excuses, plus it's a man's pride that women are attracted to him, and that she should be proud that she married a popular man like him. But the woman is adamant, and says "I don't like that attitude", and she won't ever forgive him "even if he puts up his arms in apology". The song ends, with the man "begging" her repeatedly (in his manliest way possible, without actually saying sorry) : "It's just a 3 Year Itch, give me some slack".

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FuteHodo Ep7: Drama Notes

2024-03-19T05:01:10Z

Ep. 7: "Can't You Do Away With the Payoff?"

Example of "foreshadowing": little Kanakuri (left) in Ep2;
and "the payoff": older Kanakuri in the final scene of the final episode (right)

Foreshadowing and the Payoff. Also known as Setup/Reveal, Plant/Reveal. In Japanese, it's "fukusen-kaishu" [伏線-回収]. KudoKan is fond of these literary plot devices, and fans expect it as well, that is why they are on the lookout for it, while watching this drama. I have read some foreshadowing theories from viewers regarding this drama, and find them interesting. I have my own theories as well. What are yours?
Anyway, one example of this by Kudo is from "Ida10". When Kanakuri Shiso as a boy went through a tunnel in Ep 2, crying, it was the foreshadowing. Then in the final episode, an old but happy Shiso is seen going through the tunnel/passageway entering Stockholm Stadium to reach the "finish line" matches EmoKen's description perfectly: "The final piece falls PERFECTLY into place in the last scene, and then, THE END!"

"You are Bando Eiji". No song inspiration for this episode's musical number. But for those who don't understand Sakae's analogy: Sakae is a fan of "KinTsuma", and she imagines herself as the character of Ogawa Tomoko (see notes of Ep 6), who found positive traits that Bando Eiji has, that was enough to marry him. Bando doesn't have the looks BUT has the cool history of being the former member of Chunichi Dragons. So she applies that with Yasumori-sensei whose good looks are a plus but his conservative views are a minus, and so she decides to find what else is good about him.

Mutchy-Senpai's Eyebrows. There doesn't seem to be any legit explanation about the eyebrows. So I searched for viewers' opinions. Some have noticed that it resembles Kenshiro's eyebrows from "Fist of the North Star". One blogger said his theory is that Mutchy has no idea what the future is like, and probably expects it to look like a dystopian, post-apocalyptic "Mad Max" type of world he sees in manga and movies. So he draws Kenshiro-like eyebrows on himself to look intimidating and so that future people won't mess with him lol.

Eating ice cream on the steps

Visiting a "Wall of Wishes"

Getting violent at a restaurant lol

Roman Holiday. I'm sure you are familiar with the movie, so there's no need for me to explain. But for those who haven't seen it, here are the similarities between the episode and the movie:
Junko gets a haircut, just like the Princess (Audrey). Both have a scene of eating ice cream on steps/stairs. In the movie, they visited the Wall of Wishes while in the drama they visited a shrine where Junko made her wish using a votive plaque. Junko getting violent with a waiter is the equivalent of the Princess smashing a guitar over someone's head in the movie's brawl scene.
Then, Junko's digital photos got erased as if her little holiday never happened. This is in reference to the journalist (Peck) handing over the Princess' "incriminating" photos over to her, as a promise not to publish them, and that this little Roman holiday "never happened", but to live on as a happy little secret, to be kept in her heart.
And as for the ending, Audrey said that "Rome" is the place she enjoyed the most. While Junko said, "Jail". This works better in Japanese though. In the Japanese dubbing of the movie, Audrey said "Roma", while Junko said, "Rouya (jail)." So Junko's is "A Rouya Holiday" haha.

Some other jokes that are (more likely only) funny to Japanese viewers:
"Will you meet and merge in 5 seconds?". Ogawa said this via remote when his daughter dashed off to her date. Viewers laughed at this since the p0rn-loving Ogawa's question (having sex after 5 seconds of meeting each other) sounded like a title of an AV movie (or maybe it is?). That's why Nagisa slammed her laptop fast.
"Even if I looked at her with my crystal clear eyes...". "Sunda me [澄んだ目] or "clear eyes" are pure like a baby's. These are "in which the whites of the eyes are clear and healthy and no cloudiness or veins, therefore the shape of black eyes stands out clearly and the white contrasting with the blackness of the eyes is emphasized." Viewers laugh, trying to imagine Furuta Arata with such eyes...
"You only dropped your smartphone, right?". The way Furuta's character said it twice, felt like he's trying to drive the point across, in case you didn't catch it lol. It's in reference to the novel turned 2018 movie "Sumaho o Otoshita Dake Nanoni (To think I only dropped my smartphone)" which had the English title, "Stolen Identity".

"It's clear I made you feel uptight just now." When Sakae asked Yasumori-sensei if he's married, he immediately crossed his arms. Sakae, being a sociologist sees it as a defensive reaction, and assumed that marriage is a touchy subject for Yasumori (just like the way that attending school is a touchy subject for Sako-kun).

Toyoko. It means "next to TOHO cinemas", or more precisely, at Kabukicho Square, known as a place where homeless people and runaway kids gather and hang out. You can read more HERE.

The 1000 yen. Naoki used his remaining cash worth 1000 yen at the shrine. One viewer remembers "Amachan", particularly the song, "Shiosai no Memory"'s lyrics: "Tell Johnny, he owes me 1,000 yen". And also: "A 17-year old is as fierce as the ocean waves", "Are you leaving me, without saying goodbye? Without making promises to meet again".

"Akai Clover" or "Red Clover". The name of the drama from another channel that EBS staff were monitoring. It is obviously a reference to Yamaguchi Momoe's 1976 TBS drama "Akai Unmei (Red Fate)" which has a complex plot that involves a girl whose identity got switched with another person at an orphanage.

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