Ishizuka & Hikomaro: Insights on Impromptu Shoots and the Current TV Industry

Ishizuka Hidehiko (62) of “HonjamaKa” and talent Hikomaro (58), who have visited restaurants across Japan and continued to report in a comedic yet sincere manner, shared their thoughts on their long-standing industry careers, private interactions, and their views on the changing television landscape.

Don’t get bored with yourself

Hikomaro: Changing the subject, do you watch the shows you appear on?

Ishizuka: I do. I think it’s important to check the on-air broadcast. Each program and director requires different pacing in conversation and editing style. Watching the broadcast, I feel that with food reporting, the key is compactness. If there’s too much of a gap between eating and commenting, other footage gets inserted.

Hikomaro: I tend to think about my comments while eating, so there might be a bit of a delay. I have to think it through before I comment. I envy your “Maiu~” so much.

Ishizuka: But you have your jewel box too.

Hikomaro: When work decreased during the pandemic, I wondered if people were getting tired of “Jewel Box.” I actually stopped using it for a while.

Ishizuka: The public wasn’t tired of it at all, but you mistook that you were tired of it.

Hikomaro: Yes, but I realized that I can’t get bored with myself, so I’ve continued saying “Jewel Box.”

Ishizuka: That’s right. You have to keep going. I’ve been asked to sign “Jewel Box, ya~” three times, actually (laughs).

Hikomaro: I’m grateful. You even say “Jewel Box, ya~” on TV, and when you do, my photo pops up on the screen. I appreciate that subtle kindness.

Ishizuka: But when I sign “Jewel Box” at a shop, no one ever comments. They completely mistake me for you (laughs).

Hikomaro: That’s happened to me too, being mistaken for you several times.

Ishizuka: People just don’t understand the difference between fat talents. There are many types of dump trucks, you know, and I wish they’d recognize that properly (laughs).

“Irasshaimase, we’re still active!”

Hikomoro: Recently, there are more food reporters who aren’t overweight, right?

Ishizuka: That’s true. Even YouTubers are doing food reports now. I don’t intend to copy them, but when I watch their videos, I’m amazed, thinking, “I didn’t know there was such an approach!” One YouTuber posts videos where they just eat without commenting, and it feels so fresh. We’ve always been about the comments, though.

Hikomoro: Instead of using tricks, the videos of just eating really convey more authenticity, don’t they? The food reporting world has seen a lot of new faces, but don’t you get called a legend?

Ishizuka: Yeah, I do. But honestly, I find it a bit sad. “Legend” makes it sound like someone from the past. But we’re still active, we’re still in the game. I don’t really want to be called a legend.

Hikomoro: I feel the same. And speaking of sadness, the TV industry has changed so much, right?

Ishizuka: In the past, if we were filming in a shopping district, we would engage with people on the street, but now we can’t do that. We have to blur out pedestrians.

Hikomoro: It’s a result of the times, but for those of us who know what TV used to be, it’s definitely a bit sad.

Ishizuka: Speaking of which, impromptu shoots became popular at one point, right? I never liked them. I think it’s rude to the shop owners and diners.

Hikomoro: From a production standpoint, they want to create a thrill, but there’s no real authenticity in it. The range of expression for food reporting has definitely shrunk. In the past, we could say anything, but now we have to choose our words carefully.

Ishizuka: I’ve just decided to say what I want, and if it doesn’t work, they can cut it.

Hikomoro: Even in these restrictive times, it’s important to adapt and find a way to match our food reporting to the current era.

The future for the two of us

Ishizuka: The most rewarding moment in this job is when a restaurant becomes lively because of our visit.

Hikomaro: One of the most memorable places for me was the shark fin restaurant in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, where we went on a show shoot.

Ishizuka: I had actually visited that place once before with Papaya Suzuki (58), before going there with you. But the restaurant was washed away by the tsunami during the Great East Japan Earthquake and had to close down. However, even though the restaurant itself was lost, the autograph I left miraculously survived. When I heard that story, I went back to visit the reopened restaurant with my family in private.

Hikomaro: The walls of the restaurant were covered with your memorabilia. Seeing the connection between restaurants and gourmet reporters through you was an unforgettable experience. Do you have anything you want to do in the future?

Ishizuka: I want to visit more undiscovered restaurants. Of course, I want to try foods I’ve never eaten before, but I also want to talk with passionate restaurant staff and hear their stories.

Hikomaro: Every dish has a story, right? The background of its creation, the life of the chef—touching on those things makes me feel happy.

Ishizuka: Also, I’d love to do a show with you.

Hikomaro: That would be amazing! I want to do a deep-dive location shoot together.

Ishizuka: If someone reading this creates a show for us, that would be the best.

Hikomaro: We’re open for work!

Hidehiko Ishizuka: Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Active as part of the comedy duo Honjamaka with Toshiaki Megumi (60), he has also appeared in variety shows such as Ganso! Debuya (TV Tokyo) and has built a career as an actor and voice actor. Currently, he serves as the Friday MC for Yojigoji Days (TV Tokyo) and is also focusing on YouTube and Instagram.

Hikomaro: Born in Osaka Prefecture. Made his major debut in 1989 as a founding member of the male idol group Bakumatsu Juku before transitioning to a career as a gourmet reporter, gaining attention with catchphrases like “It’s like a treasure chest!” He is also active as an actor, recently appearing in the drama Futeki Setsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru!

 

From the February 14, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”