SixTONES‘ member Hokuto Matsumura will appear in a new commercial and promotion for Hamanako Pal Pal, an amusement park in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. The amusement park will celebrate its 66th anniversary on July 18th. To commemorate this, Hokuto, who is from Shizuoka and has been visiting the park since his childhood and also came to visit with SixTONES members as an adult, has been appointed as a representative of “parukko”, which means “Pal Pal fan”.
This is the first commercial featuring a celebrity for the amusement park, and Hokuto‘s first commercial for a company in Shizuoka Prefecture, and the commercial was completed at a place he has visited since childhood, where he can catch a glimpse of his natural expression, almost like his true face.
The new commercial is called “I’m back, Pal Pal” and it starts with a scene where Hokuto “returns” to Hamanako Pal Pal on a bus. The CM depicts Hokuto, who visits the memorable places he visited as a child and again as an adult, in a close-up documentary style, enjoying the “now” with a realistic expression on his face as he is filled with nostalgia and new discoveries.
A special interview video in which Hokuto introduces the park’s recommended spots is also available on Hamanako Pal Pal’s official SNS. In the making-of video, you can enjoy the charms of Hamanako Pal Pal through Hokuto enjoying the park with a genuine expression during the filming.
The 66th anniversary period is from 18 to 16 July next year. The anniversary programme includes the “Hokuto Matsumura Pal Pal Original Stamp Rally” (1 Aug – 31 Oct), in which visitors who ride at least six of the attractions or ropeways in the park will receive a “Hokuto Matsumura Pal Pal Original Sticker”. The park will also hold an exhibition of life-size panels of Hokuto, and announcements will be made by Hokuto himself.
INTERVIEW WITH HOKUTO MATSUMURA
First of all, how did you feel after shooting the commercial?
I myself used to visit this place as a child, and in fact, even after I grew up, I used to bring the members of SixTONES here to play, so I think the commercial conveys a real sense of excitement.
you have been appointed as a representative of “Parukko”. What are your thoughts on this?
I would be very happy to work in my hometown of Shizuoka, and since Pal Pal was the place that excited me the most as a child I am really enthusiastic about it and feel very proud of my old self. I would like to invite you all to come and visit Pal Pal, and while you’re at it, visit different parts of Shizuoka too! I hope to make Shizuoka more energetic through Pal Pal!
What memories or episodes do you have that are unique to “PArukko”?
If you come here as an adult, you may discover, for example, that the characters were actually drawn by Takashi Yanase, which is a great thing! Also, I found out that the observatory is beautiful. I have recently realised it’s a place where many wonderful things are hidden that you can only realise as an adult.
What are some of the ways that YOU recommend to enjoy Pal Pal?
Observation deck. Hamanako, or Pal Pal, is the pride of Shizuoka, and it is a beautiful place! I think that if you go from attraction to meal all day long, and especially in the evening, and see the view from the observatory, you will enjoy the end of the day even better!
Finally, as a representative of the “PArukko”, what message would you like to give to future visitors to the park and the local community?
First of all, it is already a very popular place for local people in the prefecture, so if you have never been to Pal Pal, I would like you to come as soon as possible and experience what kind of an amusement park it is. However, Pal Pal is an amusement park that can also be enjoyed by people from outside the prefecture, so we want people from outside the prefecture to come too! There are many in-park-only events, so no matter how many times you come, you will always have fun at Pal Pal. Please come and visit the amusement park.