Original subtitles

Thank you very much. I have received your reservation.

Thank you.

Have a nice stay.

- Can I have this, too? - Certainly, sir. Please.

If this wasn't for work, I would have been happier but still...

Been a long time, huh... Kyushu.

Today's weather is unbearable again, isn't it?

They said on TV, it'll be 35°C today.

- No way! - It's true!

No way~! 35°C...

Fukuoka... So hot, huh?

"Mackerel-Sesame and Young fowl soup-taki of Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture"

(Gofukumachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City)

Is it this way?

Excuse me.

Yes, welcom--

- Goro! - Hey.

It's good that you've come!

- Are you here for work? - Yeah.

- Well~, you're looking good! - You, too.

Be careful, it's hot.

This is for your wife and Aicchan.

Ah, thank you.

How old is Aicchan?

She's a teenager already. Just as they say, she's become nothing but cheeky.

So she already will be in middle school huh?

Yeah...I wish I could stop puttin on the years, too...

How's your life here?

Well~... Somehow, I don't think I can work at a Tokyo company anymore.

For me, I'll take Hakata.

It's your birthplace, right?

So, what kind of work are you here for?

I'll be presenting at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.

You're gonna score some big business, huh?

Hopefully.

With today's economy, we gotta do our best, right?

So how's Takiyama doing?

As usual, he does business on a big scale.

I see.

But I ain't gonna lose to you guys.

I want my shop of dolls, fireworks and candy to go on a big scale.

It's quite big. It looks like a general trading company.

Oh, come on!

Excuse us!

Yes, welcome.

I better get going now.

Thank you for coming today.

- Be sure to come again. - Yeah.

Welcome~.

Sorry for waiting.

Do you have some sky rockets?

Of course, we have lots.

This one, when it goes...

...BOOOOOM~! It goes 20m up in the air. This is super cool. You wanna see it?

In the end, he took over this shop from his parents, to protect his family.

It is the most natural thing to do.

Best of luck to you, my friend.

Udon...

Udon?...

Should I go in for a bit?

[White lantern: "Udon"; Red/white sign at the back: "Ramen"]

I'll dare and try this one, not ramen... [White lantern: "Udon"; Red/white sign at the back: "Ramen"]

It's so quiet!

Welcome!

This table seems slanted.

[Udon, Soba = ¥302, Ebiten (shrimp), Maruten (fish), Goboten (burdock) = ¥80]

- I enjoyed the food. - Yep...

...that'll be ¥400.

- Here ya go. - Yep, thanks. Nice doin business with you.

Is it okay to leave the newspaper here?

Ah, that'll be fine.

Thank you for coming~!

Excuse me.

Yes?

One order of Maruten Udon and Inari* please. (*fried tofu pocket stuffed with rice)

Yep!

Here you go. Sorry for waiting.

[Maruten Udon] "Beyond the steam is a delicious world; Put in plenty of green onions, and slurp away!

Thick noodles, clear soup... It's the Fukuoka style.

I'm digging in.

Mm, right...

The udon here is soft...

But it's also not bad.

The Maruten has a gentle texture.

[Inari] "Vinegared rice is prominent in this triangular inari; This ain't sweet, ladies!

It's not sweet.

But this is what it is.

Somehow... it's delicious.

I enjoyed the food.

Yep! That'll be ¥450.

- Thank you. - Sure, you're welcome.

Yep. It's exact.

It was delicious.

Thank you so much.

Well~ Okay then, shall we do this?

Now then, I think we can have...

...the meeting on the 7th Exchange Event of Fukuoka and sister city Bordeaux.

As you know, this event...

...that was held last year, sponsored by the city of Bordeaux...

...it indeed served as a wonderful PR for our Fukuoka culture and specialties.

Thus, with regards to Fukuoka sponsoring the event this year...

So far, we've offered a different point of view on the new charm of Bordeaux...

I don't like this situation at all...

Therefore, this time...

In order to give suggestions for the planning....

I have asked Inogashira Goro-san to come and visit us.

Inogashira-san is a Tokyo-based dealer of imported goods.

He especially have had many years of experience and strong connections with Bordeaux, France.

So therefore, there's no one else we can derive success from...

...in the planning of this other than Inogashira-san!

What I said is not an exaggeration.

It IS an exaggeration.

You've set a high hurdle right from the start...

For sure...

...regarding the lovely city of Bordeaux...

...I am confident that he will be able to give us the best suggestions.

Without further ado, Inogashira-san, if you please.

Uh... allow me to introduce myself. I am Inogashira.

Anyway, I will now give my explanation.

Bordeaux equals wine.

That is the image of the city around the world.

In Fukuoka City's sister city, Bordeaux...

I have heard that there is such a thing as City Wine Selection Board wherein their...

...citizens would taste and vote for the delicious wine.

In their selection meeting last year, more than 500 of their citizens...

...participated and were interviewed.

Um, well...

...in addition to Bordeaux wine, there is a traditional confectionery, Canele...

There's a culture of women and children enjoying it with tea....

A cafe that offers canale to eat...

...More than 100 years have passed since the antiques were originally created...

...if we look at those that have artistic value...

In the flea market, antiques are... in accordance with tradition...

...We should spread awareness about the things that are loved by the ordinary citizens of Bordeaux.

I believe that it will make the most honest, deep cultural exchange.

My explanation may be simple but that's about it.

Um...

Thank you very much.

Director, what are your thoughts about it?

So you're saying that we should have an event that relates to the lives of Bordeaux citizens, correct?

Yes.

So... Regarding the flea market, aren't the goods there meant to be expensive?

Oh, about that, although some are expensive...

I believe people who have gone there just casually bought products that are worth 1,000 to 3,000 yen.

There are many good products within that price range, in fact.

I see.

Well~ Thank you so much.

Likewise. Thank you, too. I'm sorry for my poor speech.

You must be really working very hard in Tokyo, aren't you!

Not the slightest. I'm just not good in public speaking.

How about we go for a meal after this?

No thank you, please don't bother.

- Please don't be reserved. - No, really, I'm fine.

Did you sleep late last night?

Not at all.

- Sleepy, right? - Not at all.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

- I'll see you off downstairs... - Thank you but I'll be fine here.

- Thanks... - We'll contact you again.

Thank you very much.

Good night~.

Thank you for the hard work.

Done!

Should I just check in at the hotel...

Wow, another exaggeration... This room.

Chamber of Commerce, you really went all out.

Nakasu, huh?...

Since I've come so far, I will go and check you out.

(Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City)

Why do I feel somewhat nostalgic.

Is it because it's summertime?

What's here...

I have a good feeling...

Heh~? I'm feeling more and more good about this.

Western cuisine to Japanese.

For some reason, I've gotten hungry.

All right.

There was a sushi shop around here that aroused my interest a bit when I entered.

Hakata sushi ain't bad either.

[Shop of Flavors, Kazutomi]

What's this one...? [Shop of Flavors, Kazutomi]

But then, this is totally a watering hole.

There's a customer!

- Welcome, please come in. - Oh, uh...

Shoot, I got caught.

- Can I borrow this seat? - Oh sure~.

- You can sit here, please. - Thank you.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Are you here on a trip?

Oh, you can tell?

You have that air about you. Right?

Where you from?

Oh, Tokyo.

How cool~!

Why are you making googly eyes at him?

I wasn't!

You're blushing, y'know.

This is because of the alcohol.

- Liar. - Liar!

Sorry about that. What would you like to drink?

Oh, Oolong tea please.

Did you come here by car?

No... I don't drink alcohol.

There are such people who definitely look like they drink but actually don't.

That's me.

Kotani-san, you're the type of person who looks like he drinks, and does drink!

Bottoms up~!

As expected, this is difficult...

Sorry for waiting.

- Mackerel Sesame... - Alright~ here it is!

Salt-grilled wakadori*. (*Any young fowl, but in this case, it's spring chicken)

Wow, looks so good! This is it, man!

Oh, proprietress, there's no more so please give us a new one.

Sure, sure.

[Mackerel: Sashimi, Sesame, Natto Aji (Horse Mackerel): Sashimi, Sesame, Natto]

This shop has Mackerel-Sesame, instead of Sesame-Mackerel?

Since I've come all the way here, I gotta get some mackerel.

And then...

Mackerel natto... Horse mackerel natto.

Heh~...

Mackerel chazuke (rice with tea).

For now, that'll be my potential meal-ender.

Wakadori... comes with Soup-taki?

It's not Mizutaki* but Soup-taki. (*Simmered in thin, unflavored broth)

I've gotta go for it. There's nothing but this.

Okay, wakadori soup will be my main.

The Mentaiko* is also recommended, huh? (*spicy walleye pollack roe)

The Okiuto* here is really good, right? (*Processed snack made from seaweed)

- I wish to know how to make it. - Here, sorry for waiting.

Oh, Yasuda-chan, you wanna know, don't you?

How do you make this?

It's a trade secret, of course.

Okiuto... is the soul food of the Fukuoka people.

It's tempting me!

"Chawanmushi". [Kawari (Different) Chawanmushi*] (*egg custard with ingredients)

"Different"... how is it different?

Exc--

No, with this crowd, I wouldn't dare ask...

- Excuse me. - Yes.

- May I order? - Sure.

- Uh, Mackerel-Sesame... and Aji-natto... - Yes.

- Also, Wakadori Soup-Taki... - Okay...

- Different Chawanmushi, please. - Uh-huh...

- And can I have white rice? - Sure thing.

Then, if you please.

- Will.. will that be all? - Yes.

Leave it to you.

Yep.

Once all of them comes, I'll see if there's still room to order Okiuto.

- You want a drink? - I want some.

- If you only eat, there won't be room for drinks. - I'm eating AND drinking.

Jeez, this alcohol is way too strong!

- Hello! Hey there... - Welcome~!

Well, it's so hot, ain't it? Beer please, make it ice cold.

Sure thing!

Sorry!

You're so late!!

Well, y'know, Iwata Chemical Co.'s president wanted me to give the to~tal estimation.

I swear~!

He always wants ya to stay behind.

Ya oughta tell im you've had 'nuff!

- Right on! - Ya said it, bud!

Oh, boy... I'm surrounded by Hakata-ben (dialect).

Sorry for waiting.

[Mackerel-Sesame & Aji-Natto]

I'm digging in.

Well, then. Hakata meal...

Let's get the ball rolling...

...with Mackerel-Sesame.

[Mackerel-Sesame] "Enveloped by the sesame aroma, the deliciousness of this mackrel is taken to the extreme."

Here it is! The Mackerel has arrived!

This shop is good!

The rice is also good! The sesame really works here!

Mackerel sesame, rice, and soy sauce.

There's exploitable weakness, it's all delicious.

I won again today.

This one...

[Aji Natto] "A friend of the classic rice; It evolves further if you mix it."

Aji-Natto... huh. [Aji Natto] "A friend of the classic rice; It evolves further if you mix it."

[Aji Natto] "A friend of the classic rice; It evolves further if you mix it."

If I mix the natto, it'll become so well mixed.

Before that, this...

The act of stirring natto, is kinda like a prayer...

Like this.

There~...!

My prayer got through. It's strangely delicious!

The Aji has been completely overtaken by the natto...

But the Natto has received the essence of Aji.

- Here's your cold beer. - Oh, yes, thanks.

- Mister, do you like spicy foods? - Yes.

Then would you like to put in some green chilies?

It's deliciously spicy if you eat it with Mackerel-Sesame.

Heh~?

"Heh~", he says...

As expected, people from Tokyo are so cool and reserved.

They're hard-boiled!

One plate of green chilies!

I couldn't even give a proper single response (around here)...

- Here you go. - Oh, thank you.

Oh~ Here it comes!

I see!

So there is this kind of attack...

It's the "Ali Kick"*. (*Wrestler Antonio Inoki's attack move during his 1976 fight with Muhammad Ali)

Sorry for waiting.

Here's A Different Chawanmushi.

Please.

[Different Chawanmushi] "No pretensions with the contents of the bowl! It's a "simple is best" kind of Chawanmushi"

It looks like the usual.

The taste is the usual delicious chawanmushi.

Nameko (mushrooms)?

It is Nameko...

Eh? Don't tell me...

...it only has nameko?

No gingko, shiitake mushrooms nor chicken?

This sure is different.

But if instead of saying "Different" what about "Nameko Chawanmushi"....

Well, a fault-finding person from Tokyo has no business saying such things here...

It's delicious so it's okay.

[Wakadori Soup-Taki] So enticing *Blow blow* Soup-Taki; Eat this strongest hotpot for one"

Just add citrus pepper to your liking.

Here it is, Kyushu's greatest invention... Citrus pepper.

It's good!

Summer hot pot is good, too.

A summer kiss* from Fukuoka. (*Not sure: Pun that sounds like "summer hot pot")

It's somewhat rich.

This line-up.... is perfect.

Everything tastes great.

All of their tastes have bound me, hand and foot.

It's the Octopus Hold*. (*Another wrestling term, an attack that binds your opponent immobile)

Alright, I still have more to go.

The finishing blow, chazuke, is our meal-ender, huh?

Mackerel, Aji, sardine, salmon. (Note: The kinds of chazuke to choose from)

Which one should I go with?

Miura-san, here's Mackerel Chazuke.

Eh? THAT's a chazuke?

But this isn't Chazuke!

- Is this your first time in this shop, Keiko? - Yes.

That's how the chazuke is in this shop.

When you want to put tea in it, you must eat half of it before putting in the tea.

Isn't that right? Chief.

Half a bowl?...

That's a bit heavy for me...

Here you go.

Huh? Those are bite-sized rice balls.

I'll be taking the empty plates, okay?

Uh, yes.

We can make porridge with your (leftover) soup... Would you like that?

- Porridge? - Yes.

This soup for porridge...

- Yes, please. - Alrighty.

Thank you.

Here, Sauce-Katsu*, right? (*Pork cutlet with sauce).

Oh, man, here it comes!

That's a Sauce-Katsudon?

I'm taking some!

Hey now, there's still a Killer Move left.

You took so much!

One dish after another... each one of them looks delicious.

Excuse me for a while.

Well, y'know, drink and y'gotta go...

You guys, aren't you from Shida Trading Company?

- Yes. - Yes.

Oh, in that case, you know Sada Minoru?

Well, not only we know him, he's our department head!

- That's right. - Department Head!? - Yes!

- Hey, come here! - What is it?

The two of us... were classmates with Sada during high school!

What!?

- Oh, this guy's our junior. - Of course!

This is so surprising!

- Isn't it? Oh, right, right... - Yeah!

Hey, give em beer!

- Oh, more beer please! - Oh, thank you!

Can you make it ice cold?

- Is it okay? - Drink up~! - Thank you.

Next, next...

Then you guys are with the Ebisu Nagare team*? (*One of the teams participating in the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival)

- Of course! - Really~!

Let's drink! Drink up!

Drink, drink...

Oh, how about you?

I don't drink.

What is this? Dejavu?

Oh... well, it can't be helped.

Oh, here. Drink some more.

- Thank you. - Help yourself, okay?

Somehow, whenever I speak...

...the atmosphere seems to screech to a halt...

...It's difficult.

[Porridge from Wakadori Soup-Taki] "This exquisiteness, with the sense of egg; One bite and you'll swoon with its yumminess!"

Ooh~... Red pickled ginger...

I'm feeling it.

Here, if you like some.

Right, Fukuoka also has (pickled) mustard greens.

Thank you.

Oh, wow~!

It's beyond my imagination.

It's great, delicious, wonderful.

It's no good. Whatever I say, it seems I'm coming off as a smug person.

But this... is extremely tasty.

If you listen to it carefully, Hakata-ben sounds intense and friendly.

And somehow... the falling rhythm sounds pleasant.

Hakata-ben has become the background music to my meal.

Fukuoka... hot, huh?

It was delicious.

You don't have to do that!

Eat and put it away yourself, right?

That's the rule of this shop.

Right on!

There's a 5 yen coin* huh? (*Goen = symbolizes a wish for a good relationship with a person/customer)

- Excuse me - Yes?

- May I have the bill please. - Thank you.

- You're leaving? - Yes.

- Will you be coming again? - Oh...

If you're coming back to Hakata, please stop by here okay?

Truth is you want to go home with him, doncha?

What are you saying!

Oww...

As I said... it's difficult.

Thank you for coming!

Well~ I'm done checking it and deemed it a good shop.

It's okay to say I had hit a jackpot.

Heh~...

It becomes a street of stalls like this huh?

Oh! A while ago, I forgot to ask for Mentaiko.

Well, never mind. I'll come back again to Fukuoka.

Based on the manga "Kodoku no Gurume" Story: QUSUMI MASAYUKI Art: TANIGUCHI JIRO

Screenplay: TAGUCHI YOSHIHIRO

'Inogashira Goro' MATSUSHIGE YUTAKA

'Noodle Shop Owner' KOMATSU MASAO

'Okumura Tetsuya' - NAKAMURA YUJI 'Kazutomi Proprietress - LILY

'Chamber of Commerce Exec.' - NAKAMURA YASUHI 'Oji-san Customer- KENBO TANAKA 'Kazutomi Proprietor' - TOMITA KAZUO

Director: MIZUGUCHI KENJI

Producer: KIKUCHI TAKEHIRO

Music: "THE SCREEN TONES" QUSUMI MASAYUKI / FUKUMURA MASATOSHI KONNO FUMIHIKO / NISHIMURA SHAKE KATSUYA KURIKI KEN

Opening Theme Song: "Oriental Goro" by QUSUMI MASAYUKI

Opening Narration: KASHIWAGI ATSUSHI Narrator: UEKUSA TOMOKI

Co-Producers: HORAI TADAKI / IGAWA TAKASHI

A 2014 Production of: TV TOKYO In cooperation with: KYODO TV

This drama is fictional.

["Furatto Qusumi" (Suddenly Qusumi)] Hakata, Fukuoka Author Qusumi will visit the shop where the show was filmed.

In Ningyokomichi (Doll Alley) of Nakasu, Fukuoka, there nestles quietly, the well-established shop, Kazutomi.

[Original writer, Qusumi Masayuki]

First, Qusumi-san is as usual having a fill of "barley squash".

So good~. It was...

...Hot today, wasn't it?

In Fukuoka, this is their staple breakfast, Okiuto.

There's no one around here who doesn't know this, right?

It's good...

It's flavored with sesame and soy sauce and dried bonito flakes...

It's not much of a big deal but...

...usually when you go to local places...

...and ask about the sashimi, it's delicious and all but even more so...

These are the things that remain in your soul, right?

Next, what came out was...

- Here, sorry for waiting. - Wow! [Kazutomi, Proprietress: TOMITA SHIGEMI-san]

There's something like this here, huh?

He was so intrigued that he had to order it: Lemon Sandwich.

How's the taste?

This is good...

It's daikon with lemon in between.

There's a pinch of salt. This is the point, right?

The lemon slice is super thin!

Such a thin lemon!

- Sorry for waiting~. - Oh!

- Huh? What's this? - Please enjoy.

- This is...? - It's Fukuoka Prefecture's...

...own liquor. We recommend it!

- Please... - It's Fukuoka Prefecture's, right?

It's feels like shochu though...

I have received the well water of Fukuoka.

So gooood~!

If I drink such a thing...

I can stay here today, right! It's okay 'cause I'm not going home.

They say you'll feel pleased when you encounter this, the exquisite Cold Somen.

It is characterized by this somewhat thin-colored broth.

It tastes awesome!

This sauce is amazingly good.

This broth is really delicious!

What is this... It's seriously somewhat thin...

- Um, I used light... - Pardon?

It's because I used light soy sauce, that's why there's not much color.

I think it's refreshing to eat...

This is exquisite!

It's really good...

Today...

...we've got another hit again.

The friendly owner makes these numerous dishes with great care.

Try to drop in, too, by all means! Featured Shop: "Kazutomi" Address: Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Hakata Ward, Nakasu 4-2-24