Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission.
The TBS Friday drama Warau Matryoshka officially concluded on September 6th. Based on the novel by Kazumasa Hayami, this high-quality mystery and suspense series used the metaphor of a matryoshka doll to explore human desires and unexpected twists.
Even though the story is set in Tokyo, the main characters hail from Ehime Prefecture—specifically, the protagonist, Seike, who grew up in the Sotodomari district of Ainan Town. That meant two rounds of filming took place right here in Ehime!
Filming in Ehime
The first session happened in May, covering Matsuyama City, Seiyo City, and Ainan Town. The crew worked tirelessly from morning till night to capture the nostalgic feel of the characters’ hometown.
Then, in August, the team returned for consecutive days of shooting in Sotodomari, Ainan Town. With the summer heat in full force, we decided to surprise the cast and crew with something special—Ehime’s famous mikan (tangerine) juice faucet! Their reactions were priceless:
“I’ve always wanted to try this!”
“I’ve heard about this before!”
Seeing everyone take pictures with the mikan juice faucet was such a fun moment.
A Special Visit
That same day, the original author, Kazumasa Hayami, visited the set to show his support for the crew. As a bonus, he was officially appointed as the “Ainan Town Tourism Goodwill Ambassador” in a small on-site ceremony. It was a fantastic moment that highlighted the close bond between the production and the local community.
Ehime on the Big Screen
This was the first time the Ehime Film Commission worked on a TV drama shot in Ainan Town, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing cooperation of the Ainan Town office and local residents. A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life!
In the final episode, Seike becomes Japan’s Prime Minister, leaving viewers wondering how he will lead the country. The ending left much to think about, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one curious!
Showcasing Ehime’s Beauty
It is always exciting to see another major production choose Ehime as a filming location. The producer even told us, “The response to the beauty of Ainan Town and Sotodomari was incredible!” Hearing that made us proud—this project truly helped showcase Ehime’s charm to a broader audience.
Thanks for following along, and if you haven’t seen Warau Matryoshka yet, be sure to check it out!