Discovery Japan Inc., which operates the travel-specialty channel "Travel Channel," is pleased to announce the highly anticipated new episodes of "Drive-In Ramen Quest," a culinary journey narrated by actor Jiro Sato, will premiere in Japan on "Ramen Day," July 11 (Sat) at 10:00 PM.

"Drive-In Ramen Quest"

© 2026 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved.

A ramen exploration journey with narration by actor Jiro Sato!

What awaits at the destination are encounters with simple ramen and the smiles of people.

Now, let's journey to the drive-ins!

The narrator, a middle-aged man who loves ramen, embarks on a journey to drive-ins that are still in operation across Japan, with the image of the ramen he ate at a drive-in in his childhood in his heart. His travel companion is an old model Jimny. He visits two drive-ins per episode, and also makes stops at places other than drive-ins along the way, enjoying discoveries unique to the travel destination and encounters with people!

<Narration> Jiro Sato (Satō Jirō)

Born May 7, 1969, in Aichi Prefecture. In 1996, he founded the theater unit "Chikara Waza." He wrote and performed in all productions. His first starring film, "Yōjū Mameshiba," has become a series. He is active in a wide range of fields, including acting and screenwriting for dramas and films.

An interview with Jiro Sato, who is in charge of narration, has arrived!

● You have appeared in many dramas and films, but compared to acting in dramas and films, are there any unique joys or difficulties in narrating "Drive-In Ramen Quest"?

Jiro Sato: I have a radio show on NHK called "Jiro Sato and Oyaji no Jikan," and I tell the staff, "I hope they don't take this the wrong way," that "recording the program is a form of relaxation." The staff say, "That's fine!! In fact, that's even better!!"... "A place where I don't need to act" is a form of relaxation, or rather, a great change of pace, and I can record it enjoyably.

Program Writer: Is it like a salaryman playing pachinko?

Jiro Sato: No!! (lol) That's not good, that's not allowed (lol) That's the kind of thing that would get me into trouble! Of course, I enjoy acting too, but the type of enjoyment is different, you know? It's like using different gears. Or using different muscles. For example, if someone who specializes in narration and voice work were to act, perhaps that would be a form of relaxation for them. In short, doing something different from what you always do is a way to take a breather in a good way. I'm doing this with the understanding that it connects to the gratitude of traveling leisurely on this program.

● Do you not feel much difficulty?

Jiro Sato: There is difficulty. As you can see, I've done voice acting for Disney Pixar's "The Lion King" and as Bing Bong in "Inside Out," and each time I keenly feel the greatness of professional voice actors. I have the utmost respect for those who compete solely with their voices, like narrators and voice actors. It's difficult, unlike acting, and I feel it every time I do it. Competing solely with "tone" and "voice quality" is extremely difficult, but I am enjoying it as a fun experience.

<July "Drive-In Ramen Quest" Broadcast Episodes>

July 11 (Sat) 22:00 On the Nagasaki Road 1

© 2026 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved.

© 2026 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved.

My Nagasaki Ramen Journey, Part 1. Finally, we arrive at Fukue Island in the Goto Islands, where we enjoyed champon with Goto's seafood at "NEW Pandora." After that, we moved to Isahaya City. "Asahi Shokudo" is famous for its Nagasaki Wagyu beef bowls in addition to champon.

July 25 (Sat) 22:00 On the Nagasaki Road 2

© 2026 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved.

My Nagasaki Ramen Journey, Part 2. We arrived in Unzen City. "Chijiwa Kanko Center" has an observation deck that offers a panoramic view of Tachibana Bay, selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Scenic Views. After enjoying champon and the local specialty "Jagachan," we had chicken broth champon at "Unzen Drive-in Momiji."

Program: Drive-In Ramen Quest [New Episodes]

Broadcast Date and Time: July 11 (Sat) 22:00

Regular Broadcast: Every other Saturday at 22:00

Rerun: Sundays at 12:00 PM

First Broadcast in Japan / Original / 30 minutes / 12 episodes

Travel Channel

The only travel-specialty channel in Japan, delivering fascinating travel footage from around the world. Travel Channel is your passport to the fun destinations you've dreamed of! With a diverse range of programs including overseas travel, hot springs, documentaries, and information, we offer moments that satisfy your intellectual curiosity and soothe your soul. Available 24 hours a day in Japan on J:COM, Hikari TV, SkyperfectTV!, as well as cable TV and IPTV nationwide.

<Travel Channel Official Website> https://www.discoveryjapan.jp/tabichannel/

Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery (Nasdaq: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment provider with a portfolio of the most iconic television, movie, and streaming properties, and a universe of unique brands. We deliver a full spectrum of content and services to audiences in more than 220 countries and territories, and 50 languages, and inspire, inform, and entertain audiences around the world through our iconic brands and networks. Key brands and networks under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella include Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, MONDO TV, Travel Channel, Movie Plus, LaLa TV, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV, and many more. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: テレビ番組