45th Anniversary of Broadcast Start: 'Kita no Kunikara Special Concert' Announced! Enjoy the famous songs that colored the drama with nostalgic footage and performances by a luxurious lineup of artists, with Masashi Sada as Music Director.
A special concert commemorating the 45th anniversary of the classic Japanese drama 'Kita no Kunikara' (From the Northern Country) will be held on July 16, 2026, at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. Music director Masashi Sada will lead an event featuring famous songs from the drama, nostalgic video footage, and a talk show with guest Masuda Okada.
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The immortal masterpiece 'Kita no Kunikara' (From the Northern Country), which began broadcasting on Fuji TV in 1981, remains a monumental work in drama history.
It's a story of great love within a small family, unfolding against the backdrop of Hokkaido's vast nature in Furano, featuring Goro Kuroita (played by Kunie Tanaka) and his children Jun (Hidetaka Yoshioka) and Hotaru (Tomoko Nakajima). The diverse characters full of human charm and numerous memorable scenes received overwhelming support at the time. After 24 episodes of the serial drama, eight special editions were broadcast from "'83 Winter" in 1983 to "2002 Testament". In response to the voices of many fans, it has been re-broadcast countless times, and even now, many people visit the filming locations in Furano City, Hokkaido.
Indispensable to discussing this drama is the music composed by Masashi Sada. In addition to the famous song "Kita no Kunikara - Harukanaru Daichi yori" (From the Northern Country - From the Distant Earth), known to all Japanese people and sung only by humming, numerous beautiful pieces like "Jun's Theme" and "Hotaru's Theme" have been etched into viewers' hearts alongside various scenes. It is a masterpiece of drama music that brings back memories of Furano's scenery, the actors' faces, and their lines just by hearing it.
This time, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the broadcast start of "Kita no Kunikara," it has been decided that a "Kita no Kunikara Special Concert" will be held on July 16, 2026, at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. This concert will allow attendees to enjoy the famous songs that colored the drama, performed by a special band comprised of top musicians.
In addition to Masashi Sada, Toshiyuki Watanabe, who has supported Masashi Sada's musical activities for many years as a producer and arranger, will participate as a music director.
Furthermore, classic scenes from the drama will be projected onto a large screen installed on the stage, allowing attendees to fully experience the world of "Kita no Kunikara" with visuals and exquisite music.
In addition to a talk corner where Masashi Sada will share behind-the-scenes stories about the music production and his thoughts on the drama, Masuda Okada Masuda, known as an ardent fan of the drama, will be welcomed as a guest to passionately discuss their love for the drama.
Concert Overview
[Concert Name] "Kita no Kunikara Special Concert"
[Date] Thursday, July 16, 2026. Doors open 17:30, Performance starts 18:30
[Venue] Tokyo International Forum Hall A (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
[Performer/Music Director] Masashi Sada
[Conductor/Music Director] Toshiyuki Watanabe
[Guest] Masuda Okada Masuda
[Price] To be announced at noon on Saturday, May 9.
[Organizers] Fuji Television / Sunrise Promotion
[Production] PLoT / Sunrise Promotion
[Special Cooperation] So Kuramoto
[Cooperation] NPO Furano Theater Workshop / Kuramoto Foundation
[Inquiries] Sunrise Promotion 0570-00-3337 (Weekdays 12:00~15:00)
[Tickets] To be announced at noon on Saturday, May 9.
[Concert HP] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/kitanokunikara-concert/
It's a story of great love within a small family, unfolding against the backdrop of Hokkaido's vast nature in Furano, featuring Goro Kuroita (played by Kunie Tanaka) and his children Jun (Hidetaka Yoshioka) and Hotaru (Tomoko Nakajima). The diverse characters full of human charm and numerous memorable scenes received overwhelming support at the time. After 24 episodes of the serial drama, eight special editions were broadcast from "'83 Winter" in 1983 to "2002 Testament". In response to the voices of many fans, it has been re-broadcast countless times, and even now, many people visit the filming locations in Furano City, Hokkaido.
Indispensable to discussing this drama is the music composed by Masashi Sada. In addition to the famous song "Kita no Kunikara - Harukanaru Daichi yori" (From the Northern Country - From the Distant Earth), known to all Japanese people and sung only by humming, numerous beautiful pieces like "Jun's Theme" and "Hotaru's Theme" have been etched into viewers' hearts alongside various scenes. It is a masterpiece of drama music that brings back memories of Furano's scenery, the actors' faces, and their lines just by hearing it.
This time, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the broadcast start of "Kita no Kunikara," it has been decided that a "Kita no Kunikara Special Concert" will be held on July 16, 2026, at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. This concert will allow attendees to enjoy the famous songs that colored the drama, performed by a special band comprised of top musicians.
In addition to Masashi Sada, Toshiyuki Watanabe, who has supported Masashi Sada's musical activities for many years as a producer and arranger, will participate as a music director.
Furthermore, classic scenes from the drama will be projected onto a large screen installed on the stage, allowing attendees to fully experience the world of "Kita no Kunikara" with visuals and exquisite music.
In addition to a talk corner where Masashi Sada will share behind-the-scenes stories about the music production and his thoughts on the drama, Masuda Okada Masuda, known as an ardent fan of the drama, will be welcomed as a guest to passionately discuss their love for the drama.
Concert Overview
[Concert Name] "Kita no Kunikara Special Concert"
[Date] Thursday, July 16, 2026. Doors open 17:30, Performance starts 18:30
[Venue] Tokyo International Forum Hall A (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
[Performer/Music Director] Masashi Sada
[Conductor/Music Director] Toshiyuki Watanabe
[Guest] Masuda Okada Masuda
[Price] To be announced at noon on Saturday, May 9.
[Organizers] Fuji Television / Sunrise Promotion
[Production] PLoT / Sunrise Promotion
[Special Cooperation] So Kuramoto
[Cooperation] NPO Furano Theater Workshop / Kuramoto Foundation
[Inquiries] Sunrise Promotion 0570-00-3337 (Weekdays 12:00~15:00)
[Tickets] To be announced at noon on Saturday, May 9.
[Concert HP] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/kitanokunikara-concert/