15 minSeason 1 • Episode 150
LatestMassan is based on the lives of Masataka Taketsuru and his wife Jessie Roberta "Rita" Cowan, a Scotswoman Taketsuru met while studying abroad.
Acting
Charlotte Kate Fox, first foreign lead in asadora history.
Production
Meticulous 1910s Scotland and Hokkaido period detail.
Writing
152 episodes and somehow no filler? Witchcraft.
Charlotte Kate Fox
Eri Kameyama
Tetsuji Tamayama
Masaharu Kameyama
Pinko Izumi
Sanae Kameyama
Gin Maeda
Masashi Kameyama
Akari Hayami
Sumire Kameyama
Naomi Nishida
Chikako Okazaki
Gentaro Takahashi
Shimajii
Kiyoshi Nishikawa
Daisaku Tanaka
Yoko Natsuki
Kayo Tanaka
Saki Aibu
Ema Kameyama
Noriko Eguchi
Yoshiko Ando
Mari Hamada
Catherine
Izou Oikawa
Haru san
Shinichi Tsutsumi
Kinjiro Kamoi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
NHK cast Charlotte Kate Fox after a nationwide audition—she spoke no Japanese. The production hired her anyway, making asadora history and sparking debates about foreign representation in Japanese media.
The real Nikka Whisky still operates the Yoichi distillery shown in the series. Taketsuru's actual office is preserved as a museum, and bottles from his era now auction for thousands.
JP
