Ryohei Suzuki Discovers the Charm of the Ancient Capital Where "LIVE History" Breathes, Including His First Sutra Copying Experience! New "Iza Iza Nara" Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" Starts Airing on Wednesday, April 1
JR Central is launching a new "Iza Iza Nara" commercial, "Yakushiji Edition," featuring actor Ryohei Suzuki and pianist Kyohei Sorita. In the commercial, Suzuki experiences sutra copying, a Tendoku memorial service at Yakushiji Temple, and enjoys local sweets and live piano music. The campaign also introduces special travel plans and audio guides in collaboration with renowned voice actors.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 13:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 31, 2026 at 09:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 10:18 (385h 16m after Collected)
JR Central's Nara tourism campaign, "Iza Iza Nara." This spring, a new commercial "Yakushiji Edition" featuring actor Ryohei Suzuki will begin broadcasting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Suzuki, who holds a Level 1 World Heritage Certification, first visits the World Heritage site, Yakushiji Temple. At the Main Hall (Kondo), which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its reconstruction this year, he participates in a dynamic "Tendoku" (ritual reading) memorial service in front of the compassionate National Treasure Yakushi Triad statues. Within the temple grounds, he listens to a monk's humorous sermon and challenges himself to his first-ever sutra copying experience. Following Yakushiji, he visits Kashiya, a Japanese confectionery shop in Naramachi, where he savors freshly made Japanese sweets prepared by a craftsman right at the counter. The journey concludes at the Noborioji Hotel, where he is enchanted by a live performance on a world-class grand piano. The commercial's music is performed by Kyohei Sorita, a world-renowned pianist and representative of the Japan National Orchestra (JNO) based in Nara. Sorita himself also appears in the commercial, showcasing his luxurious tones.
During the campaign period, the "EX Destination Booking" service, exclusive to Express Reservation and Smart EX members, will launch special plans including a limited collaboration embroidered amulet combined with Yakushiji Temple viewing, and a special sermon plan by Yakushiji's Deputy Chief Priest Otani. Furthermore, in collaboration with Voistock's "Koe Tabi" (Voice Journey), voice actors Masako Nozawa and Hina Yomiya will provide audio guides for Yakushiji and Kofukuji Temples.
This spring, please enjoy Nara, where history inherited from 1,300 years ago intersects with the new charms disseminated by the people living today.
New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" Story
The World Heritage site Yakushiji Temple, boasting over 1,300 years of history. Under the blue spring sky, Suzuki shares carefree laughter with students during a monk's witty sermon. At the Main Hall, he participates in a Tendoku memorial service in front of the National Treasure Yakushi Triad statues. Facing his sutra copying in a tranquil space, he calms his mind with every brushstroke. The journey's stage then moves to Naramachi. At the Japanese confectionery shop Kashiya, he is fascinated by the craftsman's beautiful, efficient movements at the counter and savors the freshly made sweets. To conclude the trip, he visits the Noborioji Hotel, enveloped in the ancient capital's silence, and is enchanted by a live performance by world-renowned pianist Kyohei Sorita. "Nara is interesting because you go there. Iza, Iza Nara." "LIVE History" inherited from 1,300 years ago to the present, and into the future. We deliver the new breath that lies beyond tradition, along with Suzuki's fresh sensibilities.
Message from Ryohei Suzuki
"When you come to Nara, there are many famous temples like Todaiji, Horyuji, and Kofukuji... but I definitely want you to visit Yakushiji at least once. I think you can enjoy it more if you look into the history of Yakushiji. If you view not only the main temple complex but also the complex where Genzo is enshrined and the murals by Professor Ikuo Hirayama, you will be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Around Yakushiji, there are plenty of fun things, delicious things, and wonderful places, so please come to Nara and take a stroll. Nara is deep!"
New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" Storyboard (30 Seconds)
Cast Profiles
Ryohei Suzuki
Born March 29, 1983, in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Made his acting debut in 2006. In 2018, he played the protagonist Takamori Saigo in the NHK Taiga drama "Segodon." Recent works include the dramas "Ship of Theseus," "Renai Mangaka," "TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room," "Elpis: Hope or Disaster," "Gekokujo Kyuji," and "Reboot," as well as the films "Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai," "The Blood of Wolves LEVEL 2," "The Mole Song: Final," "Egoist," and "Hana Manma." The Netflix film "City Hunter" is currently streaming worldwide. The movie "TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room CAPITAL CRISIS" is scheduled for release on August 21, 2026.
Kyohei Sorita
In 2021, he won second prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition held in Warsaw, the highest rank ever achieved by a Japanese person. In August 2025, he debuted as a conductor alongside the Mozarteum Orchestra at the Mozart Matinee of the Salzburg Festival. Currently, he serves not only as a soloist but also as a conductor and as the musical director of the Japan National Orchestra.
Behind the Scenes of the New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" with Ryohei Suzuki
◆ [Yakushiji's Famous Blue Sky Sermon] "Completed like a comic dialogue!" Astonished by the spirit of Kansai culture, learning while having fun
Suzuki listened to Yakushiji's famous sermon under the blue sky along with student extras. He reportedly felt the "spirit of Kansai culture," actively incorporating laughter and learning while having fun. He enjoyed the monk's high-level sermon, marveling at its "completion like a comic dialogue!"
◆ [Tendoku: Enjoying watching and bathing in the wind of merit] Astonished by the overwhelming power of the 600-volume scriptures
Suzuki witnessed the dynamic spreading of scriptures known as "Tendoku" up close. Learning of the 600 volumes of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra and the near-obsessive passion of Genzo Sanzo (Xuanzang), who spent his life translating them, he was deeply moved by the overwhelming power generated by the accumulation of history.
*The Tendoku memorial service involves monks dramatically spreading the 600 volumes of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra in the air while reading them aloud (Tendoku), praying for world peace, sound physical health, and recovery from illness.
◆ [Sutra copying to calm the mind] "The distortions in my mind are disappearing" Sincere dedication, continuing to write even outside of filming
Suzuki challenged himself to sutra copying for the first time during this shoot. He continued to use his brush even outside of the actual filming scenes. Although he initially struggled using a brush for the first time in a while, he felt his mind calm down and a sense of disappearing distortions as his writing gradually became neater.
◆ [The grand mural is a must-see] "I never knew there was such a magnificent work of art" Excited by Master Ikuo Hirayama's grand mural
Between shoots, Suzuki visited the Genjo Sanzo-in complex. Appreciating the "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions Mural" (by Master Ikuo Hirayama), which depicts Genzo Sanzo's journey along the Silk Road to India, he was deeply impressed by its overwhelming scale and beauty, saying, "It's a pleasant surprise to find such a magnificent work of art." He was moved, stating, "While his journey in Journey to the West is famous, the truly amazing thing about the historical superstar Genzo is that afterward, he continued to translate, sparing sleep, until his death. That Tripitaka Master I only knew from Journey to the West as a child is actually so close to us and connected to Japanese Buddhism."
◆ [A course of Japanese sweets made by a craftsman right before your eyes] A special experience touching supreme craftsmanship
At the Japanese confectionery shop Kashiya in Naramachi, Suzuki sat at the counter, captivated by the craftsman's beautiful, efficient movements, and stuffed his cheeks with freshly made sweets. He broke into a smile, groaning at the Japanese sweets that highlighted the taste of carefully selected ingredients.
◆ [A space filled with blissful tones] A luxurious live performance by world-renowned pianist Kyohei Sorita
In the scene where he listens to a live grand piano performance at the Noborioji Hotel restaurant, world-renowned pianist Kyohei Sorita appeared and performed the commercial song live. Suzuki reflected on the scene with squinted eyes, saying, "Being able to listen to live music in that space was incredibly luxurious."
◆ [An eye that knows true value cultivated through role preparation] Sympathy for the hotel's "transmission of high-quality culture" shining through his experience playing a piano tuner
Suzuki, who previously played the role of a piano tuner, recognized that the grand piano at the Noborioji Hotel was top-tier and conversed with the hotel staff. He was reportedly touched by the hotel's desire to make Nara a place that transmits not only historical things but also modern, high-quality culture.
Charms of the New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" Locations
■ Yakushiji Temple
The World Heritage site Yakushiji Temple was initiated by Emperor Tenmu in 680 to pray for the recovery of his Empress from illness. Emperor Tenmu passed away before seeing its completion, and Empress Jito inherited his wishes and completed the temple complex. The Hakuho complex is a magnificent composition with the East Pagoda, West Pagoda, and Corridors neatly arranged around the Main Hall. Among them, the East Pagoda (National Treasure) is the only building in Yakushiji that has survived from its original founding, and its beauty is praised as "frozen music." Furthermore, this year, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the Main Hall's reconstruction. Please experience the vivid colors that evoke its appearance 1,300 years ago and the thoughts of the people embedded in its reconstruction on-site.
・Yakushi Triad Statues
The principal image of Yakushiji Temple, enshrined in the Main Hall since its founding. According to the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan), the eye-opening ceremony is believed to have been held on July 29, 697, making it a National Treasure representative of the Hakuho period. The Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) statue is placed in the center, with the Nikko (Sunlight) Bodhisattva statue to its right and the Gakko (Moonlight) Bodhisattva statue to its left. Although the Main Hall was burned down by the fires of war during the Kyoroku era, and the Yakushi Triad statues lost their halos, they still retain their original forms even after 1,300 years.
■ Yorozu Onkashi Atsuraedokoro Kashiya (Kashiya)
A Japanese confectionery shop in Naramachi, purveyors to shrines and temples in Nara, including Yakushiji Temple. The Japanese sweets course prepared by the owner, Seiichiro Kita, at the counter seats is popular. "The process for Japanese sweets is simply absorbing water, heating, and sweetening. We rely on the good ingredients carefully cultivated by the farmers," says Mr. Kita. The course includes four items: fresh dry sweets, two types of seasonal fresh sweets, and freshly baked monaka, accompanied by drinks such as matcha, hojicha, or specialty coffee.
■ Noborioji Hotel
An auberge adjacent to the World Heritage site Kofukuji Temple. It is an "adult hideaway" that provides meticulous hospitality under the concepts of "food," "music," and "history." In the restaurant, we serve freshly prepared dishes with rising steam and aromas. Additionally, live performances on a world-class "full concert grand piano" are regularly held during lunch and dinner times. Enjoy a high-quality space where food, music, and the silence of the ancient capital blend together.
New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" Local Experience Plans
In conjunction with the rollout of the new "Iza Iza Nara" commercial "Yakushiji Edition," the "EX Destination Booking" service, exclusive to Express Reservation and Smart EX members, will launch special local experience plans. Please experience the "LIVE History" felt by Ryohei Suzuki on-site.
■ [Yakushiji x Iza Iza Nara] Limited Collaboration Embroidered Amulet Conferment & Yakushiji Temple Viewing
This plan combines the conferment of a limited collaboration embroidered amulet with Yakushiji Temple viewing. The acrylic amulet, stamped with the characters for "Yakushi Nyorai" and the red seal of the "Yakko" (medicine pot), is a special edition shaped like Yakushiji's "Sange" (lotus petals scattered during ceremonies). The embroidery motifs are the "Main Hall" where the Yakushi Nyorai statue is enshrined, and the "Rikishin" (strongman deities) drawn on the pedestal supporting the Yakushi Nyorai statue.
(Setting dates: Wednesday, April 1 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026)
■ Yakushiji Deputy Chief Priest Otani's Sermon "Genzo Sanzo and the Heart Sutra" - With Special Commentary on the Genjo Sanzo-in Complex "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions Mural" -
A sermon will be held by Deputy Chief Priest Tetsujo Otani. Genzo Sanzo continued his journey seeking the Dharma, crossing harsh deserts and steep mountains with an indomitable spirit. While tracing his epic footsteps, the sermon will gently explain the state of mind for us living in the modern world.
After the sermon, participants will view the "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions Mural," which Ikuo Hirayama completed over 30 years after gathering materials in the actual locations where Genzo Sanzo traveled, with a special commentary by Deputy Chief Priest Otani.
(Setting dates: Saturday, May 2 to Wednesday, May 6 (Holiday), 2026)
*The Genjo Sanzo-in complex will be specially open for a limited time from April 25 (Sat) to May 10 (Sun), and May 30 (Sat) to June 8 (Mon). Please check the official Yakushiji website for details.
The above are some representative examples of the plans we offer. We have a variety of other plans available, so please check the "Local Experience Plans List" on the campaign site for details.
Collaboration with "Voice Actors x Temples and Shrines" "Koe Tabi"
A collaboration with "Koe Tabi," launched by Voistock, which collaborates on JR Central's "Oshi Tabi" campaign! Legendary voice actor Masako Nozawa and popular voice actor Hina Yomiya from Nara Prefecture (both affiliated with Aoni Production) will guide you through Yakushiji and Kofukuji Temples with audio guides. You can enjoy the audio guides by accessing and purchasing them from the "Koe Tabi" site on your own smartphone. Those using the Tokaido Shinkansen can enjoy them for free by acquiring a serial code on board. For details, please check the "Koe Tabi" website.
"Koe Tabi" Site: https://koe-tabi.com/
Overview of New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition"
Title: "Iza Iza Nara" Yakushiji Edition
Broadcast Start Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Broadcast Regions: Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Shizuoka Area, etc.
CM URL: https://youtu.be/zdvEhqBDMeo
CM Making & Interview: https://youtu.be/A6-Yi36smZs
New Commercial "Yakushiji Edition" Production Staff List
Planning & Production / JR Tokai Agency + Edison Lighthouse + N-Design
CD / Masakazu Teramoto
CM Planning / Sachiko Nose
C / Masakazu Teramoto, Riho Sakoda
AD / Takeshi Nagata, Takafumi Ishimoto
WEB & PR Planning / Nanami Tsuritani, Kazuya Okura
AE / Koichi Mori, Kazuki Kimura, Asami Suda, Reo Tomita
EPR / Satoru Aoshima
PR / Masayoshi Wakayama
PM / Masaya Iwata, Kazuki Budo, Kenya Komine
Director / Kazuhito Nakae
Cinematography / Keisuke Kazui
GR Photography / Atsuhiro Shirahata
Lighting / Yamato Ishii
Art / Fumio Ogawa
Music PR / Setsu Fukushima
New Poster "Yakushiji Edition"
"Iza Iza Nara" Campaign Site & Media
< "Iza Iza Nara" Yakushiji Edition Campaign Site >
https://nara.jr-central.co.jp/campaign/izaiza_yakushiji/
< "Iza Iza Nara" Yakushiji Edition Local Experience Plans List >
https://ec.travel.jr-central.co.jp/tp/special/izanara/optionalFacilities?lang=ja
< "Iza Iza Nara" Official X Account >
< "Iza Iza Nara" Official Instagram Account >
https://www.instagram.com/izaizanara_official/
< "Iza Iza Nara" Official YouTube >
https://www.youtube.com/@izaizanara_cjr
"Iza Iza Nara" Overview
JR Central's Nara tourism campaign "Iza Iza Nara" began in May 2022. Nara is a place where you can enjoy a journey that blends the charms inherited over 1,300 years with the new charms disseminated by the people living today, making it more interesting the more you know, and stimulating new curiosity the more you touch it. The campaign copy "Iza Iza" repeats the word "Iza," which is found in the Man'yoshu and Kojiki and is used to invite people, expressing our thoughts of inviting you on a journey to Nara.
*Images are for illustrative purposes only