Togo Okada Opens Up About Struggles Behind His Rural Move: 'I Want to Believe My Choice Wasn't Wrong' — Shinsuke Minowa: 'Creating 100-Year Memories,' Yoichi Watanabe: 'This Is What “Living” Truly Means' — Three Perspectives on the Meaning of Life

ABEMA, the 'television of the new future,' began streaming Episode #6 of 'Togo Okada's Wilderness Detox' (produced by Asahi Broadcasting Television) on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM JST.

'Togo Okada's Wilderness Detox' is a program where actor Togo Okada, who moved to a remote mountain area five years ago to escape urban chaos, invites celebrities living under the pressures of city life to join him for a two-day, one-night wilderness camping experience. The show captures their journey along steep mountain trails, the breathtaking scenery that awaits, and the authentic experience of overnight camping, offering a 'wilderness human documentary' aimed at mental detoxification in nature.

For this ABEMA-exclusive original episode #6, guests include editor and entrepreneur Shinsuke Minowa and war photographer Yoichi Watanabe.

■ Togo Okada on Mountain Life and Hunting: 'It Teaches Us About “Normal Cruelty”'

On the first night, the group enjoyed a special venison curry made with deer liver, which Watanabe praised as 'exquisite,' while Minowa, after drinking heavily, reached his limit and fell into a deep sleep—an unfiltered, honest evening. Early the next morning, Okada headed into the mountains for deer hunting, quietly tracking prey in a traditional 'shinobi-gari' (stealth hunting) method. Okada began reflecting: 'I’ve thought about whether hunting is cruel. All living things survive by killing and eating other life, so it is cruel… but it reminds us again about eating and “normal cruelty.”' He continued, 'The word “cruelty” uses such difficult kanji and hits deep, but the cruelty in human society is a completely different kind. Putting others down, defamation, slander… When I’m in the mountains, I wonder which one is more natural.' He delivered a profound message about modern human society.

[Video] What’s the amazing venison curry made from hunted deer that left Okada and Watanabe speechless?

■ Togo Okada Reveals His Struggles Before Moving to the Countryside: 'I Want to Believe My Choice Wasn’t Wrong'

After returning from the mountain, as Okada shared coffee and conversation with Minowa and Watanabe, he opened up about his true feelings on rural relocation. 'I often get asked for advice by people who want to live in the countryside,' Okada began. 'Taking that step is hard. I wanted this kind of life too, but I felt I’d been building success in Tokyo, so suddenly moving to the countryside was scary.' He revealed his past struggles. 'When I finally came here after various events, it turned out just as I’d imagined it would be good. But then I thought, “Why didn’t I jump in earlier?” Humans really want to believe their past choices weren’t wrong. We say there are various ways to live, but the fear of taking the plunge partly comes from wanting to convince ourselves we weren’t wrong.' He shared this honest reflection based on his own experience. 'And if we can even push through that with reason and logic, we’ll be able to challenge many things…' He conveyed a positive message about life beyond fear.

[Video] The exact moment Togo Okada hunts a deer in the mountains...

■ Shinsuke Minowa: 'Creating 100-Year Memories,' Yoichi Watanabe: 'This Is What “Living” Truly Means' — Three Divergent Views on Life After a Two-Day Camping Trip

Watanabe, touched by Okada’s daily mountain life, said, 'It overlaps with the feelings I had meeting many families, people my age, and children on the front lines.' 'Many people I’ve met in war zones around the world have said, “Being able to do what you want to do.” The freedom to do what you want—that’s what I feel is truly “living.”' He shared these weighty words born from witnessing harsh realities. Meanwhile, Minowa, in response to the question 'What is living?' said, 'I’ve framed it as “creating 100-year memories.”' 'When I think of it as making memories, even extremely painful things—like being written about in weekly magazines and feeling hurt—though they were tough at the time, I can now say, “That was a memory.”' He revealed his raw, honest truth. Okada also began speaking about his own philosophy on life and death, shaped by living face-to-face with nature. What did he ultimately say about the meaning of 'living' and 'true happiness' discovered in the harsh natural world? It became an intense, meaningful time where three distinct life philosophies intersected.

Episode #6 of 'Togo Okada's Wilderness Detox,' where three individuals—editor, war photographer, and actor—on different paths deeply discuss 'life and food' and 'what it means to live,' is now exclusively streaming on ABEMA. Don’t miss it.

■ Program Overview: 'Togo Okada's Wilderness Detox'

Program URL: https://abema.tv/video/title/534-20

Episode #6 Release Date and Time: Friday, June 12, 2026, from 6:00 PM JST

Episode #6 URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/534-20_s1_p6

Starring: Togo Okada

Guests (Episodes #5–6): Shinsuke Minowa, Yoichi Watanabe

※ When using images, please credit: [(C) Asahi Broadcasting Television] [(C) AbemaTV, Inc.]

■ About 'ABEMA'

'ABEMA' is a video streaming service launched on April 11, 2026, marking its 10th anniversary, aiming to innovate television as the 'television of the new future.' Since launch, it has operated as an internet TV platform that’s free to enjoy without registration, broadcasting approximately 25 channels 24/7, including a 24-hour news channel, original dramas, romance reality shows, variety programs, anime, and sports—all pursuing 'highest quality or one-of-a-kind' content.

In addition to boasting Japan’s largest number (※) of original episodes among domestically developed video services, ABEMA offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, trending anime, live sports broadcasts, and online concerts. Viewers can enjoy content anytime, free from time constraints, via TV, on-demand, smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, delivering content tailored to diverse lifestyles.

The monthly 'ABEMA Premium' service (1,180 JPY including tax) offers exclusive features and content, while the 'Ad-Supported ABEMA Premium' (680 JPY including tax) allows access to ABEMA Premium-exclusive content with ads.

(※) As of March 2026, based on internal research

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Experience the new future of television—free videos and trending content on ABEMA (https://abema.tv/)

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, ABEMA will run various campaigns throughout the year, including special programs and the 'ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Thank-You Festival.' Please look forward to ABEMA’s 10th anniversary celebrations.