Naniwa Danshi's Ryusei Onishi and Joichiro Fujiwara promote the charms of a scenic local train line that continues to operate at a loss on "The! Iron Chef! DASH!!"

■Try making your own original ekiben using local ingredients!

On June 30th, Nippon Television’s “The! Iron Chef! DASH!!” will air a new project by the “Local PR Department” that promotes the attractions of each region.

A local Hokkaido line is in danger of being closed due to continued losses, so we will take a train trip to convey its hidden charm. While visiting famous spots and scenic spots along the line, we will collect local ingredients and try our hand at making an original ekiben.

“We’ve come to Hokkaido! This is getting us excited!” TOKIO’s Kokubun Taichi, along with Naniwa Danshi’s Onishi Ryusei and Fujiwara Jyoichiro, were in high spirits from the start of the show promoting the Dounan Isaribi Railway, a local railway that runs along the Tsugaru Strait for a total distance of 38 km and includes 12 stations from Goryokaku Station in Hakodate, Hokkaido to Kikonai Station.

Most of the passengers are locals, and the line has incurred a deficit of about 200 million yen in the past year. However, the line is packed with famous spots that are the pride of the whole country.

To convey its charm, the three of them depart Goryokaku Station with a “mystery solving map” with promotional points along the line in hand. Onishi, a train enthusiast, gets off at each interesting point while being rocked by the retro train, his eyes sparkling with delight as he exclaims, “It’s a Kiha 40!”

Train fans will be amazed by the unique design of the unmanned station, saying, “This is a station!? Interesting!”, and relax in a new type of accommodation where the nostalgic train has been turned into a hotel, giving the feeling of being transported back to the Showa era. Kokubun also seems to be very interested, saying, “Wow! I want to stay there!”

Furthermore, the three were deeply moved by the magnificent view from the poplar tree-lined street that connects the sea and the monastery, saying, “It looks like a foreign country!” and “I can’t believe I’m in Japan!” Then, a mysterious “sushi monster” appears in front of the group.

They also managed to get hold of local ingredients at each of their destinations, including “divine vegetables” grown by farms that have been in business for over 100 years, carefully selected local rice, and legendary Wagyu beef.

“It’s going to be a luxurious ekiben!” the three say, excited about the idea. Filled with the thoughts of the towns along the line and filled with local specialties, what will this original ekiben actually be like?

Program Information

Nippon Television Network“The! Iron Arm! DASH!!”
June 30th (Sun) 19:00-19:58
Cast: TOKIO’s Ryusei Onishi (Naniwa Danshi), Joichiro Fujiwara (Naniwa Danshi), and others

“The! Iron-Armed! DASH!!” program site
https://www.ntv.co.jp/dash/