SixTONES has been appointed as campaign ambassadors for “Enjoy! SixTONES, Enjoy! ShinKANSEN”, promoting the appeal of travelling through Tohoku by bullet train. A new television commercial featuring SixTONES, titled “Enjoy! SixTONES, Enjoy! ShinKANSEN”, will begin airing nationwide from October 1st.
The new commercial depicts the SixTONES members’ excitement at the start of their Shinkansen journey, filled with anticipation for unseen landscapes and new encounters. Their new song “Shine with U”, written specifically for this campaign, features an upbeat tempo that heightens the thrill of travel.
On the day of filming, SixTONES entered the studio dressed in stylish, predominantly black outfits. Filming commenced with scenes of each member ascending a massive, approximately 3-metre-high staircase set installed within the studio. After completing their individual takes, the entire six-member group filmed together. The shoot progressed in a relaxed atmosphere, with the members chatting cheerfully. While monitoring the footage, the members noticed that Jesse appeared taller than usual in the shots. Shintaro shot him a suspicious look, saying, “You’re not… stuffing tissues in your heels, are you?!”, to which Jesse cheerfully replied, “In my heels, yes!”. Towards the end of filming, they changed into casual outfits and in perfect unison called out, “Have a great trip!”, Taiga gave it his stamp of approval, declaring, “That’s bloody brilliant!” After a full day of filming, they left the studio with a cheerful “Thank you very much!”
This campaign offers exclusive audio content by SixTONES available only on Shinkansen trains, alongside original AR photo frames installed at 12 stations across the Tohoku region. Furthermore, an arrangement of the tie-up song “Shine with U” will play as the departure melody on Shinkansen platforms at Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, and Ōmiya Station. Furthermore, the campaign website will premiere a 15-second version of the new commercial from September 24th. The 30-second version and behind-the-scenes footage from the commercial shoot will be released on October 1st. For further details, please check the campaign website.
INTERVIEW WITH SIXTONES
What were your thoughts when you heard about being appointed as the campaign character?
Jesse: It made me very happy indeed. We often use the Shinkansen for our tours, and each member uses it for personal travel too. I sincerely hope that through SixTONES, the appeal of the Shinkansen and the Tōhoku region reaches as many people as possible.
What sort of song is the campaign track “Shine with U”?
Taiga: It’s a very upbeat tune, yet packed with emotional phrases. I think you’ll feel all the excitement and anticipation of setting off on a journey, so I’d love for you to listen to it in various places – whether you’re travelling, on the bullet train, or wherever you happen to be..
What sort of chatter can one hear from the members of SixTONES aboard the Shinkansen?
Hokuto: We discussed the must-see spots across the six prefectures of Tohoku, and whilst doing so, I realised there’s still so much I don’t know in detail. It was really enjoyable learning as we talked. The stone circles (Akita’s Ōyu Stone Circle and others), which are also part of our group name, are definitely places I’d love to visit.
YUGO, the hot spring sommelier, are there any hot springs in Tōhoku that catch your interest?
Yugo: Personally, I’m rather fond of hot springs and keep a hot spring notebook. I’ve written in it that I’d like to visit Tamagawa Onsen and Nyuto Onsen in Akita. As they’re known for their highly acidic waters, I’d quite like to try them once. Also, I’ve heard that JR East Japan recommends certain hot spring inns under the “Earth & Hot Springs” scheme, so I’d love to stay at one of those places, soak properly in the waters, and be thoroughly soothed.
Is there anything you always do when travelling?
Shintaro: I take photographs of the local area—forests, landscapes, and such. I also enjoy visiting supermarkets and roadside stations, capturing the essence of each place as a memento. Since our digital photo frames are exclusive to our travel destinations, I wonder if it would be acceptable to take a group shot of all six of us together for the SixTONES travel-exclusive digital photo frame.
If you were to go on a trip with SixTONES, what kind of theme would you like the trip to have?
Juri: When you mention the six of us, it really is about “bonds”. I think something emotional would be good. For example, going to the northernmost tip of Honshu and shouting our feelings for each other towards the sunset. Now, with SixTONES‘ 10th anniversary and our 6th debut anniversary coming up soon, it’s also a celebratory period for us. So, while looking back on everything so far, I’d love to go on a journey with everyone, embodying the meaning of pushing even harder from here on out. Also, playing on SixTONES‘ six members, how about conquering all six prefectures of Tōhoku!! Or maybe sampling each region’s delicious specialities?
From October 1st to December 19th, a campaign offering the chance to win original station name sign keyrings designed by SixTONES through a lottery draw is underway, alongside numerous other initiatives designed to bring SixTONES closer to fans.
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