Kentaro Ito and Akari Hayami Spotted on a Cheerful Date Scene Along the Sumida River

Is it really just about eating together?

A couple walks happily along the banks of the Sumida River beneath the blazing sun. Every now and then, they exchange glances and smile bashfully at one another.

In fact, this was a scene from the drama “Just Eating Together,” which is currently airing on TV Tokyo. The pair were none other than the show’s co-leads, Kentaro Ito (29) and Akari Hayami (31).

“The drama is based on the manga of the same name by Terrace Omachi and is a love story centered on food and infidelity. Hayami plays Taki Sawada, a cooking instructor who feels a sense of emptiness because her husband takes no interest in her cooking. Ito portrays Rei Saito, the editor of a culinary magazine who is frustrated that his wife, for whom frozen food is an everyday staple, refuses to embrace his ideals. The story follows the two as they meet through work and grow attracted to one another while struggling with the boundaries between love, food, and morality,” a television magazine writer explained.

Following the first episode’s broadcast on July 9, social media was flooded with conflicted reactions, including comments such as, “It’s actually harder to watch because it doesn’t feel like an affair,” and, “There aren’t really any villains.”

In the second episode, Rei visits Taki’s home for a meeting and develops a fever. While he rests on the sofa, Taki prepares a special soup for colds just for him. As she watches Rei tearfully savor the meal, Taki realizes that she has begun to develop feelings for him.

Now, back to the scene at the beginning of this article.

Filming took place in mid-May. Starting early in the morning, the crew shot scenes of the two actors walking upstream along the Sumida River. At one point, Ito and Hayami picked up drinks prepared by staff members and headed on foot to a nearby park. Curious passersby watched from a distance, while the two actors sat on a bench, basking comfortably in the early summer sunshine and chatting as they looked out over the river.

When asked how he felt about being cast in the lead role, Ito commented:

“Both romance and food are powerful human desires, so perhaps that’s why they feel connected. That said, I can’t relate to infidelity itself at all (laughs).” (Oshi-raku, July 2)

Hayami, meanwhile, avoided mentioning the subject of infidelity directly and instead said:

“Each married couple in the story has its own unique characteristics, so I think viewers will sympathize with completely different characters depending on their perspectives. Personally, I’m excited to see which characters people connect with the most. And, above all, the food looks absolutely delicious! In fact, it’s genuinely delicious. The food is a star of the show in its own right, so I hope everyone enjoys that aspect as well.” (From the official website of STARDUST PROMOTION)

That leaves one question: is this drama really just about eating together?

Viewers will have to keep watching to find out.

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