Thinking About Traveling to Hokuriku?
With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the charm of the Hokuriku region has been highlighted in various media, sparking interest in many people to travel there. However, some might feel unsure about where to go in Hokuriku.
For those people, I recommend the drama "Izakaya Shinkansen 2," which aired 12 episodes from January 2014 on the MBS Dramaism slot. It is now available on paid streaming services like MBS Video Izm and U-NEXT.
"Izakaya Shinkansen" follows businessman Susumu Takamiya, who searches for local products to enjoy on his return Shinkansen ride after finishing work on his business trips. He lines up the purchased drinks and snacks on the Shinkansen table like an izakaya, hence the name "Izakaya Shinkansen."
In "Izakaya Shinkansen 2," the business trip destinations include areas around the Joetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen stops. Destinations along the Hokuriku Shinkansen include Toyama, Shin-Takaoka, Kanazawa, Komatsu, Fukui, and Tsuruga.
●The Repetitive Format Highlights Each City's Uniqueness
Each episode (one city) is 28 minutes long. The show provides insights into the city's culture and history, includes shopping scenes at old establishments, and offers a glimpse of the town. After boarding the Shinkansen, Takamiya arranges the drinks and snacks on the table and explains the remaining local products. Additionally, knowledgeable SNS friends of the protagonist provide supplementary explanations of other local specialties that couldn't be covered.
This repetitive format actually serves to highlight the unique characteristics of each city. Watching this drama might be a good introductory or refresher course on Hokuriku travel.
Official page for "Izakaya Shinkansen 2" → Here