Chiaki Kuriyama Spotted Shopping in Tokyo Smiling During “Banshaku no Ryūgi” Filming

What is the style of Chiaki Kuriyama?

In late May, the shopping street in the downtown area of Minowa (Taito Ward), Tokyo, was bustling with many shoppers as usual. Amid them walked a TV crew carrying large cameras and microphones. At first glance, it seemed like a typical food report shoot often seen in weekday evening news, but at the center was actress Chiaki Kuriyama (40).

This was actually a location shoot for the hugely popular TV drama series “Banshaku no Ryūgi” (“The Way of Evening Drinks”) (TV Tokyo network), set to air from July.

“TV Tokyo is known for its signature late-night drama series. The most representative is the ‘Kodoku no Gurume’ (‘Solitary Gourmet’) series. Others include ‘Zetsumeshi Road’ and ‘Wakako-zake’ (on BS TV Tokyo). ‘Banshaku no Ryūgi’ started in July 2022.

The story centers on the protagonist Miyuki Izawa, who works for a real estate company and always leaves work on time. The drama’s theme is about creating the perfect condition for the last drink of the night and making snacks for home drinking. Kuriyama herself loves evening drinks, so she was very happy when she got the role,” said a TV magazine writer.

Now in its fourth season, “Banshaku no Ryūgi” is airing two continuous cours with “summer edition” and “fall/winter edition.” That day’s filming took place in the historic Minowa shopping street, which has been around since 1919. This 465-meter-long arcade street lined with retro shops is a lively area, and Kuriyama seemed genuinely excited.

The filming was done amid many shoppers, with Kuriyama in a suit repeatedly shooting scenes where she strolls while looking at shops. Presumably, she was searching for snacks or ingredients, but her natural smile never faded. In an interview last April when season 3 was confirmed, Kuriyama spoke about her own style:

“I really hate wastefulness. I dislike rushing but I’m also bad at waiting, so I like to get everything done efficiently. When my private schedule goes perfectly, it feels great. I’m quite impatient, I walk fast, and on set, I sometimes stand by ready even when I’m not called yet (laughs).” (From “TV Tokyo Plus,” June 27, 2024)

Maybe her smile that day was less about the joy of drinking in the evening and more about the satisfaction that the shoot was going smoothly. Either way, for Kuriyama, the fun filming has just begun. Viewers will likely increase again, enjoying their drinks while watching her drink deliciously on screen.

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