Ishizuka & Hikomaro: The Pride of Food Reporters in Reiwa!

“Hiko-chan’s innovative and precise metaphorical phrases always surprise me.”

“When I see you eating, everyone wants to try that dish. That’s really something amazing.”

Hidehiko Ishizuka (62) of “Honjamaka” and TV personality Hikomaro (58) praised each other’s skills as soon as they met. Ishizuka and Hikomaro have been visiting restaurants all over Japan and reporting comically and sincerely. The two, who have been at the top of the industry for many years, talked about their encounters, their pride as leading food reporters, and the unknown behind-the-scenes details of their filming.

“Fat people don’t like conflicts, so there’s no sense of rivalry!”

Hikomaro: I first learned about you (Ishizuka) around 1990. A member of the idol group I was part of, “Bakumatsu Juku,” was co-starring with you in a late-night drama. At the time, I heard from the member that you were really kind to them, so I wanted to meet you.

Ishizuka: Honestly, I didn’t really know you when you were younger, Hiko-chan. Because you were thin back then, right? I have trouble remembering thin people.

Hikomaro: Oh, I see (laughs). So, when did you first recognize me?

Ishizuka: I think it was around when your catchphrase, “Hōseki-bako ya~” (“Jewelry box!”) became famous. You were definitely heavier then, right?

Hikomaro: Definitely, I was (laughs).

Ishizuka: After the late 90s, we started working together on many shows, like “Ganso! Debuya” (TV Tokyo).

Hikomaro: To me, you’re a great senior in the food reporter industry. I’ve always respected you.

Ishizuka: Fat people don’t like conflicts, so there’s no sense of rivalry, right? After we started co-starring, we got closer, and you even invited me to your home once.

Hikomaro: It was with Seki Tai-chan from “The Touch” and “Time Machine 3-go.” We were all just messing around together, the fat guys.

Ishizuka: That was fun! I’ll never forget how you organized and filed all the scripts for the shows. And that huge fish tank you had, with only one goldfish in it. I thought, “Did Hiko-chan finally eat the goldfish?” (laughs)

Hikomaro: I didn’t eat it! (laughs) The reason I organized the scripts was so I could remember which restaurant I went to and what I ate.

Ishizuka: That’s impressive! I can remember the taste and appearance of the food, but I can’t remember where I ate it. Because I’d fall asleep on the location bus, and when we arrived at the restaurant, I’d wake up and eat right away. I really admire your seriousness, Hiko-chan.

Entering the restaurant is the real challenge

Hikomaro: “But you, big brother, always manage to get at least three laughs before entering the restaurant when the camera is rolling. That’s amazing.”

Ishizuka: “Once I’m inside the restaurant, I just say ‘maiu~’ (delicious), so the real challenge is before I even step inside! (laughs)”

Hikomaro: “That’s not true! Even after entering, your comments always have the staff bursting into laughter.”

Ishizuka: “I try to improve the atmosphere of the place. If I can make the cameraman laugh, that energy spreads to the entire restaurant and creates a good vibe. Do you have anything you focus on during filming, Hikomaro?”

Hikomaro: “I focus on the viewers behind the camera. For instance, I move the food with my chopsticks so the cross-section is properly shown. Also, I try to avoid overused expressions.”

Ishizuka: “I get it. Like when you eat shrimp and say it’s plump and juicy, you avoid that, right? Because everyone already knows shrimp is plump. If I absolutely have to say it, I might make a twist and say something like ‘Princess Princess’ (laughs).”

Hikomaro: “For me, I go for something completely different. I might say, ‘This shrimp must’ve been working out at the gym yesterday.'”

Ishizuka: “That’s why it’s tough when we have to visit several restaurants in one day, all serving the same type of food. By the end, I ran out of things to say. I remember once we had to taste nine different types of shrimp sushi, and by the third one, I was out of words. I had to resort to saying plump at that point! (laughs)”

“Hiko-chan’s innovative and precise metaphorical phrases always surprise me.”

“When I see you eating, everyone wants to try that dish. That’s really something amazing.”

Hidehiko Ishizuka (62) of “Honjamaka” and TV personality Hikomaro (58) praised each other’s skills as soon as they met. Ishizuka and Hikomaro have been visiting restaurants all over Japan and reporting comically and sincerely. The two, who have been at the top of the industry for many years, talked about their encounters, their pride as leading food reporters, and the unknown behind-the-scenes details of their filming.

“Fat people don’t like conflicts, so there’s no sense of rivalry!”

Hikomaro: I first learned about you (Ishizuka) around 1990. A member of the idol group I was part of, “Bakumatsu Juku,” was co-starring with you in a late-night drama. At the time, I heard from the member that you were really kind to them, so I wanted to meet you.

Ishizuka: Honestly, I didn’t really know you when you were younger, Hiko-chan. Because you were thin back then, right? I have trouble remembering thin people.

Hikomaro: Oh, I see (laughs). So, when did you first recognize me?

Ishizuka: I think it was around when your catchphrase, “Hōseki-bako ya~” (“Jewelry box!”) became famous. You were definitely heavier then, right?

Hikomaro: Definitely, I was (laughs).

Ishizuka: After the late 90s, we started working together on many shows, like “Ganso! Debuya” (TV Tokyo).

Hikomaro: To me, you’re a great senior in the food reporter industry. I’ve always respected you.

Ishizuka: Fat people don’t like conflicts, so there’s no sense of rivalry, right? After we started co-starring, we got closer, and you even invited me to your home once.

Hikomaro: It was with Seki Tai-chan from “The Touch” and “Time Machine 3-go.” We were all just messing around together, the fat guys.

Ishizuka: That was fun! I’ll never forget how you organized and filed all the scripts for the shows. And that huge fish tank you had, with only one goldfish in it. I thought, “Did Hiko-chan finally eat the goldfish?” (laughs)

Hikomaro: I didn’t eat it! (laughs) The reason I organized the scripts was so I could remember which restaurant I went to and what I ate.

Ishizuka: That’s impressive! I can remember the taste and appearance of the food, but I can’t remember where I ate it. Because I’d fall asleep on the location bus, and when we arrived at the restaurant, I’d wake up and eat right away. I really admire your seriousness, Hiko-chan.

Entering the restaurant is the real challenge

Hikomaro: “But you, big brother, always manage to get at least three laughs before entering the restaurant when the camera is rolling. That’s amazing.”

Ishizuka: “Once I’m inside the restaurant, I just say ‘maiu~’ (delicious), so the real challenge is before I even step inside! (laughs)”

Hikomaro: “That’s not true! Even after entering, your comments always have the staff bursting into laughter.”

Ishizuka: “I try to improve the atmosphere of the place. If I can make the cameraman laugh, that energy spreads to the entire restaurant and creates a good vibe. Do you have anything you focus on during filming, Hikomaro?”

Hikomaro: “I focus on the viewers behind the camera. For instance, I move the food with my chopsticks so the cross-section is properly shown. Also, I try to avoid overused expressions.”

Ishizuka: “I get it. Like when you eat shrimp and say it’s plump and juicy, you avoid that, right? Because everyone already knows shrimp is plump. If I absolutely have to say it, I might make a twist and say something like ‘Princess Princess’ (laughs).”

Hikomaro: “For me, I go for something completely different. I might say, ‘This shrimp must’ve been working out at the gym yesterday.'”

Ishizuka: “That’s why it’s tough when we have to visit several restaurants in one day, all serving the same type of food. By the end, I ran out of things to say. I remember once we had to taste nine different types of shrimp sushi, and by the third one, I was out of words. I had to resort to saying plump at that point! (laughs)”

Ishizuka Hidehiko: Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Active in the duo Honjāmaka with Toshinori Eguchi (60), in addition to appearing in variety shows such as Ganso! Debuya (TV Tokyo), and also works as an actor and voice actor. Currently appearing as the Friday MC on Yojigoji Days (TV Tokyo), and focusing on YouTube and Instagram.

Hikomaro: Born in Osaka Prefecture. After debuting in 1989 as a member of the male idol group Bakumatsu Juku, he transitioned to a gourmet reporter and gained attention for phrases like “Hōseki-bako ya~” (“Jewelry Box~”). He is also active as an actor, appearing in dramas such as Futekisetsu ni Hodoga Aru!

From the February 14, 2025, issue of “FRIDAY”