Masaki Aiba's enthusiasm for "digging wild yam" is MAX! "Aiba Manabu"'s first 2-hour special broadcast decided: "This time I made some digging tools, so I'm really fired up."

■”But I guess digging up yams makes me want to talk about my life…Maybe I’ll come back this time too (lol)” (Masaki Aiba)

“Aiba Manabu” is where Masaki Aiba learns various things about Japan. On the November 17th broadcast, “Manabu! Titled “Let’s Make the Best Japanese Yam Digging Tools,” the show features new and original tools such as potato digging sticks and small scoops used in the program’s annual “Yam Digging.”

We brought to you the struggles of Aiba, Eiji Kotoge (Baiking), Yu Sawabe (Haraichi), and Abareru-kun who went to the wrought iron workshop.

Aiba and his colleagues agreed, “It’s good if the potato-digging stick has a part that you can step on with your feet,” and “The thin shovel may have a simple shape, but I want something stronger!” and they came up with an original potato-digging stick. Making a scoop from scratch.

During the process of hitting and stretching the hot iron, Aiba accidentally hit the table with a hammer, and there was a scene where the workshop staff got very nervous (!?), but in the end they said, “This is great! It’s cool!” !!” (Aiba), the tool was completed to everyone’s satisfaction.

Use this fascinating tool to “dig for wild yam”! Everyone was enthusiastic. Meanwhile, Aiba makes an important announcement.

The “Japanese yam digging” started in 2013 and is now in its 13th year…but it has been revealed that it will be broadcast in the program’s first 2-hour special from 6pm on December 8th.

■Luxury big-name guests suitable for SP will also appear! Together with Aiba and others, we have carried out “wild yam digging” that has continued for more than 10 years.
“Aiba Manabu” will be entering the 2-hour SP & Golden for the first time. In this memorable special episode, Aiba, Kotoge, Dai Okabe (Hanako), Abareru-kun, and special guests will take on the challenge of “digging wild yam” that has been going on for over 10 years.

So far, singer-songwriter JUJU and Jun Matsumoto, who had a perfect interaction with Aiba and were captivated by the charm, saying, “That’s crazy, yams might be fun!?” have joined the competition one after another. “Digging wild yam”. Expectations are high as to what kind of big names will come to the first 2-hour special.

■Aiba also said, “I made some digging tools this time, so I’m really fired up!” and said, “I’m so excited!” Try making the ultimate Japanese yam hotpot
The real thrill of “digging wild yams” is how to dig up giant yams without damaging or breaking them with tools.

The previous record was 154cm, which was dug by Kotoge. Kotoge also recalls with excitement, “That was by far the best,” but this time he will try again in the same place where he achieved his best record of 154cm, hoping to break the record even further.

Will they all be able to dig up a giant wild yam that surpasses all records?

Also, this time, let’s dig up a giant Japanese yam and make the ultimate Japanese yam pot! ”, we decided to collect ingredients that go well with wild yam and take on the challenge of making the most extravagant hotpot! What kind of hotpot will be made? It’s a must-see.

In preparation for the broadcast, Aiba said, “This time I made digging tools and I’m really excited.Let’s get over 154cm!A special guest will also be coming, so we’ll collect various ingredients and make the ultimate Japanese yam hot pot. I want to go. Please check it out!”, the 2-hour special appeals with maximum enthusiasm. This time too, there will be ups and downs!? Let’s look forward to the future of this new Japanese yam drama.

■Aiba’s famous quotes such as “No matter how many times you fail, you just need to get back up!” will pop up again!?
Another thing that we must not forget about “Digging Yam” is the many famous sayings that Aiba has created!
After the Japanese yam broke, I said, “No matter how many times you fail, just get back up! If you stand up, it’s not a failure.” When people around me told me, “Don’t push yourself,” I said, “It’s not whether you can make it or not.” I’m going!”, and when I almost broke the yam, I said, “Don’t get carried away, don’t get carried away,” and there are too many to list.

There are also other phrases such as “You’re growing as much as you fold” and “You shouldn’t fold the potatoes and your heart,” but Kotoge harshly criticized them, saying, “It’s just an excuse. It’s better not to fold!”

The reason these famous quotes come out is, “I forget the sense of time…I wonder how many hours have I been digging? (lol).But it still has a charm that captivates me.” As Kotoge says, “digging wild yam” is far more grueling work than one might imagine.

Aiba says, “When I dig up yams, I feel like talking about my life,” and I can’t wait to see what kind of famous words he will come up with this time.

■Masaki Aiba comment
You’ve already done “digging for wild yam” 13 times. I like digging (lol). The largest wild yam ever dug was 154 cm by Eiji (Kotoge). Just like that time, I forget the sense of time…How many hours have I been digging? (laughs) Still, wild yam has a charm that makes you fall in love with it.
The guest that has come so far is JUJU…I never thought he would come. And for the 10th time, Jun Matsumoto also came. Both of them were absorbed in digging.
Eiji-kun said, “fighting against the mountains,” and I understand it very well. As we dig, we run into many difficulties, such as, “Why is there a rock here?”, “These are the roots…”, and “Today’s soil is hard.” I don’t think I would be able to get so excited about it if it was just digging in the soil.
And is it my famous quote…I don’t really remember this one (lol). But after all, digging for wild yams makes me want to talk about my life…Maybe I’ll come back this time as well (lol).
It’s my first 2-hour special, so I want to live up to expectations. This time I made some digging tools and I’m really excited! The event will be held at the same location where the highest record was set, so let’s exceed 154cm!! A special guest will also be coming, so we will collect various ingredients and make the ultimate Japanese yam hotpot. Please take a look!
■Eiji Kotoge (Baiking) Comment
Is this your 13th time digging for wild yam? That’s amazing, isn’t it? I have participated four times, and the record is 154cm, which I dug. That was by far the best (lol). It was amazing. We have had guests such as JUJU come so far, and it was a strange contrast to see them digging up yams in the mud.
The appeal of “digging for wild yam” is that it’s not so much a battle with the wild yam as a battle against the mountain. “How should we conquer this mountain?” he asked. Beyond that, how can we dig up the Japanese yam without damaging it? Although it may seem rough, it is actually a very delicate process.
Aiba-kun’s many famous sayings were also born. “No matter how many times you fail, all you have to do is get back up! It’s not a failure as long as you stand up” is a wonderful thing to say (lol). However, saying things like “the more you fold, the more you grow” or “you shouldn’t fold the potatoes and your heart” are just excuses. There’s nothing better than not folding it (lol). But I guess this only comes out because of the harsh conditions.
We would like to use the tools we made ourselves as soon as possible. This time too, I want to dig up a big Japanese yam!
■Daily Okabe (Hanako) Comment
The appeal of “digging wild yam” is that the soil can suddenly become hard while digging, and it is possible to overcome such difficulties. Besides, Aiba-san’s famous quotes have lessons for life…I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of famous quotes he will come up with this time as well!
■Abareru-kun Comment
Isn’t the 13th episode a Japanese yam variety show? Moreover, this time it’s Japanese yam golden! That’s bullish, isn’t it? At the meeting, they said, “Japanese yam!” (laughs)
The highlight for me is that Kotoge-san is very good at using detailed tools. It almost looks like the Buddhist sculptor Unkei carving Buddhist statues (lol). Please pay attention to that too!