Right from the first few seconds of this "Nihon Boro Yado Kido", I was captured by the tremendously interesting concept: enough with the Tokyoite settings, filled with skyscrapers and modernity, let's show instead a much lesser known Japan, one more true to itself, with all its small towns and its "shabby hotels/pensions" filled with memories of the past and personality!
What followed was a delightfully written, masterfully acted, and very aptly directed little masterpiece!
The music added some more value to the enchantingly catchy atmosphere, and I'm not referring exclusively to the wonderful enka song "Traveler", but to the whole musical score that so nicely accompanied the entire watching experience.
I think even Fellini would've been totally satisfied by the profound humaneness that oozes from every scene!
A particular praise to the leads: Takahashi Kazuya reminded me a lot of a young(er) Takenaka Naoto, so good and funny he was! And as for Fukagawa Mai, well, what can I say? I desperately fell in love with her already at the first episode! Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she possesses such a great acting talent!!!
The only thing I'm unhappy about? LOL, that's that I wish I could give this more than 10, seriously! ^__^;
Instant top10 of all time, as far as I'm concerned!!!
Arigatou, Nihon! ^_____^