The Hanzawa Effect: Kansai Attractions See Double the Popularity

 

The Japanese drama "Hanzawa Naoki" achieved record-high viewership ratings with its highly popular finale, reaching 45.5% in the Kansai region — the highest since the Heisei era began. Episodes one through five were primarily set at well-known Kansai attractions, which in turn significantly boosted their popularity, drawing crowds of visitors. Recently, news broke that a sequel is in the works, and related Kansai tourism authorities have expressed hope that Hanzawa Naoki will return to film in the area. The immense impact of a single TV drama is so powerful that even the popularity of tourist spots has been “doubled back”!

These recently revitalized attractions include the Kobe Eastern Rokko Panorama, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, and Shin-Kobe Station. Many viewers said that after seeing the night view where Hanzawa Naoki has an emotional heart-to-heart with his wife in episode five, they immediately searched online for the location and were determined to visit it in person. The Kobe Eastern Rokko Panorama has seen a recent surge in popularity, and the toll road leading to Arima Onsen has even experienced frequent traffic jams. The fans’ love for the show, along with their desire to experience its scenes, goes without saying, and the buzz has also made tourists eager to visit. In late August, the Kobe Eastern Rokko Panorama also put up a sign reading “Hanzawa Naoki Night View Filming Location.” This night view appeared not only in episode five but also in episode one.

Besides tourist spots, factories featured in the show have also become unexpected attractions. The “Awaji Steel Works” shown in episode two is actually the Sumida Shipbuilding shipyard in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. In mid-June, the crew filmed there for two days, attracting large crowds of onlookers at the time. The phrase “doubled back” even became a catchphrase among local children. To this day, many tourists still visit the site specifically and take photos next to the remaining “Awaji Steel Works” sign. The nearby Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, with its majestic scenery, has also frequently appeared on screen, further boosting its popularity and buzz.

This record-breaking and much-discussed Japanese drama has made fans eagerly anticipate its future sequels. For many Kansai attractions, there's particular hope that the show will return to the region, allowing them to once again experience the booming tourism benefits and the Hanzawa Effect of “doubling back”!

 

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Hanzawa Naoki: Doubled Back – Filming Locations (Kansai Edition)

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