ab: This question is kind of aimed at the four members from Fukuoka! Can you think of some local places you would like to show Osaki-san (Nagasaki native) and Kawamata-san (Kagawa native)? What are the best places to visit in Fukuoka?

Tanaka: Well… I think it would be good to visit an eel restaurant called "Yoshizuka Unagi" and enjoy the rich flavors on offer. Then we could go for a little walk and try some "Nakasu Zenzai" in Nakasu! They serve anko (red bean paste) and shiratama (rice flour dumplings) with kakigori (shaved ice)! It's a bit like a zenzai (sweet red bean soup) treasure hunt!

Yoshida Sara: I recommend exploring Itoshima! I think that's a cool option! There are lots of places to find great food but I would like to explore some of the most Instagrammable spots in the area… Locations surrounded by beautiful sea and scenery. It would be nice to finish the day off by watching the sun set and then heading back home.

Takao: I would have to recommend a visit to the Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine. It's fun to eat umegae mochi (rice cakes filled with azuki bean) while strolling up to the shrine. I would also suggest trying some of the kara-age (fried chicken) you can find near the approach to the shrine!

Harada: I would also say Daizaifu! I used to go at New Year for hatsumoude (the first shrine visit of the New Year)!

Takao: No way! Me, too! We should go together!

Harada: Let's go there together! It is such a lovely shrine!

ab: It is awesome to hear you talking about Fukuoka. Those are some great suggestions! Can you tell us anything unexpected that you discovered about your groupmates in the build-up to this performance?

Takao: Sarapi (Yoshida Sara) was a bit late for our meet up today. It turned out that she was about to leave while still wearing a pair of compression socks, so she had to go back and change (lol)! She is really mature and can handle everything, so it was interesting to see that side of her!

ab: asianbeat shares information about Fukuoka and Japanese pop culture with people overseas. We often post news about anime and manga. Do you have a favorite anime, manga, or games?

Tanaka: I really like “ATTACK ON TITAN.”

Osaki / Kawamata / Takao / Harada / Yoshida: "What!?" "That’s such a surprise!"

Harada: I love it, too! I have the entire manga series!

Tanaka: That's awesome! I watched all the anime in one go. I sort of binge-watched it! I don't usually watch that much anime but I'm totally addicted to the series.

Harada: My fave anime? I've always loved manga and anime, so it is hard to narrow it down to just one! I am a big fan of "My Hero Academia" and shonen manga (manga aimed at young male teenagers)!

Takao: That is something else we've only just learnt! Another new discovery!

ab: So, there's that well-known question… "What would you take with you to a desert island?" What kind of things come to mind?


Takao: I would take a futon! I'd want a good sleep and I could do that if I had a futon. I do not know if it would be possible if I was just lying on top of leaves!

Harada: I think I would go for a bathtub. I love taking a bath. I am sometimes in the tub for more than an hour. I think I could relax in a bath even if I was on a deserted island (lol)!

ab: Thank you so much for all your great answers! Do you have a final message for your fans at home and abroad?


Tanaka: If you have seen us on stage, I hope you can get to know a bit more about us through this article!

Takao: There are six members of the group here today and we all have our own characteristics. But there are also other members... Each has their own unique personality. Please keep an eye on STU48!