It has been revealed that a special episode of the popular TV drama "Shimoyama Meshi" (TV Tokyo), in which actor Shida Mirai plays the protagonist who is busy enjoying gourmet food after climbing a mountain, titled "Shimoyama Meshi Takasaki Edition", will be broadcast from 12:30 midnight on June 26th. Shida commented with joy, "I'm able to return to Shimoyama Meshi as Itadaki Mineko again! I'm so happy!"
"Shimoyama Meshi" is based on Nishino Yoshiko's essay "Kanto Area: Delicious Shimoyama Meshi" (Yama to Keikokusha), which introduces delicious gourmet food at the foot of the mountain that you can eat immediately after climbing a mountain without having to walk (close to the trailhead, station, or bus stop) and without having to wait. Broadcast from November to December 2024, the show gained popularity for the way Shida plays the shy illustrator Itadaki Mineko, who loves "mountains" and "food," eats the best shimoyama meals that stimulate her appetite.
In this one-night-only special "Downtown Meals Takasaki Edition," the participants visit Mount Haruna, located in the center of Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, and climb Mount Haruna Fuji, an impressive mountain with a well-balanced shape like Mount Fuji. Afterwards, they visit Okurabo Kobayashi, a restaurant on the shores of Lake Haruna. They enjoy beer snacks such as smelt fritters and minced cutlet croquettes (menkoro), which have a crunchy sound that whets the appetite, as well as udon noodles made with wheat flour, a specialty of Takasaki City. Finally, as the show's first dessert, they gobble down a parfait and pancakes made with plenty of fruit from Takasaki.
◇Comment from Mirai Shida
I was also able to return to Shimoyama Meshi as "Itadaki Mineko"! I'm so happy! This time in Takasaki, there was a lot of interaction with the guests with rich personalities, and we were able to film in a lively, harmonious and fun atmosphere. Desserts, which didn't appear much in the drama series, also made an appearance! This time too, I ate a lot of delicious Shimoyama Meshi. It was great. Please look forward to the broadcast!
◇ Comment from Producer Nakamura Shinno
Every little bit counts. These are the words I have secretly kept in mind since I first planned this work, "Downtown Meals." Driven by the support of our viewers, the entire staff has desperately climbed the mountain of making a sequel. I am so happy to be reunited with "Itadaki Mineko" played by Shida-san now. And Mineko's journey has only just begun. "Downtown Meals Takasaki" is the first step, a work enveloped in the warmth of the people of Takasaki City. I hope Mineko continues to climb many mountains, meet many people, and eat her fill. All right, let's go down the mountain.
