The DVD of the movie "KUHANA!" will be released today, June 2nd, and rentals will begin! ! Jazz x Kids! Jazz and children will enliven Kuwana!

The movie "KUHANA!", set in Kuwana KuwanaCity, Mie Prefecture, will be screened from September 3, 2016! The story begins when a teacher who loves jazz comes to an elementary school that is one year away from closing. Children form a jazz big band and participate in a contest, but an accident occurs just before the performance... This is a human drama in which children grow up while being at the mercy of the circumstances of adults. The film was directed and written by Kenichi Hata, who has worked on many works including the original work for "Unfair" and the screenplay for "Dragon Zakura." The music for the film is by Kazumi Tateishi, who is famous for his music for plays and movies. Furthermore, with the cooperation of local people in KuwanaCity, it has become a wonderful and fun movie!
Click here for the movie's official website http://kuhana.jp/

The cast includes Yume Matsumoto, who is popular for appearing in the NHK drama series "Mare," Seishiro Kato, who has been popular since he was a child actor, Hiromi Takigawa, who plays the role of the principal, and Toru Kazama, who has been assigned as the "JAZZ idiot teacher." Many popular actors appear! The cast includes Mako Kushimoto from Mie Prefecture, Sayaka Isoyama, Risa Sudo, Yoshitomo Yamamura, Udo Suzuki, Mina Oba, Kento Hiramatsu, etc. Starting from September 3, 2016, the film will be shown in advance in the Tokai area, including Aeon Cinema Kuwana, Aeon Cinema Toin, and Aeon Cinema Nagoya Chaya, and the nationwide roadshow will begin on October 8, 2016.
Click here for screening location http://kuhana.jp/theater.html

In Kuwana, where the movie was filmed, we will introduce some of the spots where the movie was actually filmed.
Movie location map (map will open in a new window)

First of all, the map where the movie takes place ① The entrance to KuwanaCity, in front of Kuwana Station. Many lines such as JR, Kintetsu, Sangi Railway Hokusei Line, and Yoro Railway pass through this station.

Map ③ is the KuwanaCity Hall, where many KuwanaCity events are held. The climax scene of the movie was filmed with 900 people! Mono extras participated.

The Teramachi-dori shopping street shown in Map ④ is a popular shopping street where the ``Sanhachi Market'' is held on the days that end in 3 and 8. You can take a leisurely stroll while eating rice cake at an old-fashioned shop. Kawazu cherry blossom season is also recommended. The movie was filmed in front of hinaga.

Map ⑤ is Rokkaen, which was used as a community center (!) in the movie. This building, completed in 1920, includes a Western-style building with a four-story tower, Japanese-style architecture, and a strolling garden with a pond, and has been designated as a national important cultural property. This is a popular spot for people to take photos.
Click here for detailed information on sightseeing spots in Mie https://www.kankomie.or.jp/spot/3078.html

At KuwanaCity on Map 7, a scene in which KuwanaCity also appeared was filmed. Once again, 100 extras helped out. By the way, from the overpass near KuwanaCity, you can see a very unusual sight where the railway rails have three different widths.

Map ⑧ A casting scene was filmed at Ito Hyun Foundry. KuwanaCity has long been known as a town of castings, and even the manhole covers (cast metal) are elaborate. Recently, "Manhole Cover" has been registered as a Pokestop in KuwanaCity in Pokemon GO.

Nanawa Elementary School, shown on map ⑪, is where the jazz club was born. The movie was shot with the cooperation of teachers and students even during spring break.

ano Station on map ⑫. This is a station on the Sangi Railway Hokusei Line, which is known for its narrow track width. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive from Nishi-Kuwana Station while riding the train.

Map ⑭ is Yoro Railway Tado Station, and in front of the station is an old-fashioned townscape. Apparently it was also a favorite spot for the filming staff.

Mt. Tado, shown on map ⑮, is a popular mountain that many hikers come from Nagoya, and there is a park at the top of the mountain. There is also a facility where hang gliders take off during the hike, and this scene was used in the movie.
Click here for details on Mt. Tado https://www.kankomie.or.jp/spot/22372.html

Map ⑰ is the very popular outlet mall Jazz Dream Nagashima located next to Nagashima Spaland. The shoot was in the middle of winter at this facility, but since it was set in summer, they did their best using disposable body warmers.

This movie, filled with laughter, tears, and music, was completed with the great cooperation of the local people of KuwanaCity, and I hope that not only local people, but people all over the country will see it! Click here for the original book ↓

*The information posted is as of August 2016.