Tokyo Weekender July 2016

WHAT IT’S REALLY
LIKE INSIDE
TERRACE
HOUSE
The Japanese reality TV show has been described as
both boring and fascinating, and has gathered a cult
following abroad. Matthew Hernon chats with the stars
to find out what it’s like on the inside
A
fly-on-the-wall reality show
focusing on six, mostly polite
Japanese people living together
without a competitive angle:
Terrace House doesn't sound particularly
captivating. Fairly calm and undramatic,
the participants have little interest in
backstabbing or causing rifts like they do in
Western reality programs, yet somehow the
concept works. It's mundane and addictive
at the same time.
"There are conflicts in the house, but
they're dealt with in a quiet, considered way
which can be even scarier than something
explosive," comedian Ryota Yamasato tells
Weekender. "I think it gives a fascinating
and realistic insight into modern Japanese
society and the way people interact here. I'm
not typical in that sense so it's an interesting
learning experience for me."
Yamasato, or Yama-chan as he's better
known, is one of six commentators on the
show who watch and analyze the week's
main events. He's the cynical one of the
group, taking pleasure in the misfortune of
the housemates, particularly when relationships
turn sour. "I don't dislike people falling
in love, it's just more fun when things
go wrong," he says, smiling. "Not everyone
wants to see these models and athletes
succeeding. I prefer to focus on their flaws,
which some people like, while others tweet
me to say I'm being too harsh. The passion
people have for the show is great. I especially
love getting messages from abroad."
Since premiering on Netflix with English
subtitles two years ago, Terrace House
has garnered a cult following globally, and
as Netflix Japan content manager Kaata
Sakamoto told Buzzfeed News, it has "exceeded
expectation in terms of international
viewership."
BOYS X GIRLS: NEXT DOOR
The program first aired on Fuji TV in 2012
and immediately did well in the ratings. One
of the most talked about and outspoken of the
original housemates was Seina Shimabukuro
whose drunken escapades in the first 29 episodes
caused quite a stir. Despite leaving midway
to pursue a career in modeling (housemates
can choose when they depart), things
didn't turn out as planned so she returned to
the show, and ended up staying until the end.
"I was there a long time, probably too
long for some," she says, laughing. "It was
amazing. I loved all the trips, dates and small
things like eating dinner with everyone in the
evening. Living with strangers is nerve-wracking,
but you soon get used to it. Dealing with
the criticism wasn't so easy, though."
Unlike Big Brother, Terrace House members
are well aware of what's being said about
them. In the first series, they would watch the
program on TV at the same time as viewers
and then check social media to gauge the
public's reaction.
34 | JULY 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER
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