BS NTV: Asako Ito Navigates! Program Director Gets Up Close with Famous Innkeepers at Minshuku Across Japan! The Unknown Lives of Famous Innkeepers in "Famous Innkeeper's Minshuku Theater" Airing May 19 (Tues) at 8 PM

BS NTV will broadcast "Famous Innkeeper's Minshuku Theater," a heartwarming human travelogue program, starting Tuesday, May 19th at 8 PM. In this show, a director gets up close with famous innkeepers at minshuku across Japan. With observer Asako Ito, the program rediscovers the charm of "minshuku," a unique type of Japanese lodging that is declining in number, through the personalities of the innkeepers and the local food and culture. [Fukushima Prefecture, Ouchi-juku "Honke Ogiya"] Located in Ouchi-juku, which prospered as a post town during the Edo period, this is the only inn in Ouchi-juku where guests can stay in a 'kura' (storehouse). It features a unique structure with a 300-year-old thatched roof and a 200-year-old storehouse drawing room used as guest rooms. The minshuku is run by the famous innkeeper "Kiiko-obaya." She is a super-famous person known locally as "the one who built the foundation of tourism" for Ouchi-juku, which now attracts over a million visitors. A popular minshuku thanks to the cheerful personality of the famous innkeeper and her dishes using local ingredients. Events symbolizing the innkeeper's personality happen one after another. [Niigata Prefecture, Sado Island "Tokaen"] Run by three generations: the famous innkeeper of Sado Island, Midori-okami, her daughter, and her grandchildren who skillfully handle fish. They offer delicious cuisine using local ingredients and performances of traditional arts by the grandchildren. Furthermore, Midori-okami herself gets behind the wheel and gives the program's director a tour of Sado Island's hidden spots, filled with love for the island... What is the reason for her deep love for Sado Island? [Mie Prefecture, Toba "Katahama-so"] Toba is known as the town with the most ama (female divers) in Japan. Here, the 70-year-old famous innkeeper, Terumi-okami, still works as an active ama while running her minshuku. A super-active innkeeper whose catchphrase is "too busy to be poor," she also juggles multiple part-time jobs and even rice planting. The program gets up close with her indomitable 'ama spirit' that has overcome numerous hardships. [Mie Prefecture, Toba "Hamaei"] Hospitality by four generations of a fishing family. The famous innkeeper, Hiroko-okami, serves one luxurious dish after another, such as Ise-ebi (spiny lobster) and funamori (sashimi on a boat-shaped platter). Fresh ingredients are also very popular, including giant spiny lobsters caught by the fishing family, wakame seaweed cultivated by the family, and fresh vegetables grown by the great-grandmother in her field. Program Summary [Program Name] Famous Innkeeper's Minshuku Theater [Broadcast Date/Time] May 19 (Tue) 8:00 PM - 9:54 PM [Broadcasting Station] BS NTV [Cast] Asako Ito [Program HP] https://www.bs4.jp/okami-minshuku/ [Credit] ©︎BS NTV [Program Overview] A director gets up close with famous innkeepers at minshuku across Japan! A 'heartwarming human travelogue program' that rediscovers the charm of "minshuku," a unique type of Japanese lodging that is declining in number, with observer Asako Ito, through the personalities of the innkeepers and the local food and culture.