Dondo Hare (2007)
A heartfelt Japanese morning drama following a young woman's bold journey into the world of traditional ryokan hospitality.
Dondo Hare - Series Information
- Original Title: どんど晴れ
- First Air Year: 2007
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Family, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (15 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 158
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK G
- Alternative Titles: Dondon Bare (JP)
- Production Companies: NHK
- Production Countries: Japan
Dondo Hare - Plot
Natsumi is the 23 years old daughter of a master baker in Yokohama and in training with her father to become a pastry chef. She lives with her parents and younger brother in Yokohama. One day she travels to Iwate Prefecture with her boyfriend Masaki for his grandmother Katsuno's 77th birthday. While they are there, Katsuno, head okami of a famous ryokan in Morioka City, becomes ill and asks Masaki to return to run the ryokan. Natsumi returns to Yokohama and later Masaki visits, asking her to disregard their earlier plans to get married because he will return to Morioka as requested by Katsuno. However, Natsumi surprises him with a vow to become the ryokan's okami. Is Natsumi in for clear skies as suggested by the series name?
Dondo Hare - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Manami Higa
- Asahi Uchida
- Suzuki Sotaro
- Komuro Yuta
- Ippei Kanie
- Ren Osugi
- Nobuko Miyamoto
- Akiko Hinagata
- Mitsuko Kusabue
- Mikihisa Azuma
Writers
- Eriko Komatsu
Dondo Hare - FAQs
What is Dondo Hare about?
Dondo Hare follows Natsumi, a 23-year-old baker's daughter from Yokohama, who surprises everyone by vowing to become the okami — the head hostess — of a prestigious traditional ryokan in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, after her boyfriend is called back to manage his family's inn.
Who are the main actors in Dondo Hare?
Dondo Hare stars Manami Higa as the determined protagonist Asakura Natsumi, alongside Asahi Uchida as Kagami Masaki, Mitsuko Kusabue as the formidable matriarch Kagami Katsuno, Nobuko Miyamoto as Kagami Tamaki, and Ren Osugi as Asakura Keigo, among others.
Is Dondo Hare an asadora series?
Yes, Dondo Hare is an NHK asadora — a morning serialized drama — a beloved Japanese television format featuring short daily episodes. It aired on NHK G and follows the classic asadora tradition of a young woman overcoming challenges to forge her own path in life.
How many episodes does Dondo Hare have?
Dondo Hare consists of 158 episodes across two seasons. Season 1 contains 156 episodes and Season 2 contains 2 episodes. Each episode runs approximately 15 minutes, in keeping with the short-form daily broadcast format typical of NHK morning dramas.
When did Dondo Hare first air?
Dondo Hare first aired in 2007 on NHK G in Japan. The series concluded in 2011, spanning a broadcast run of several years. It is part of NHK's long-running asadora tradition of morning serialized dramas that have been a staple of Japanese television since the 1960s.
Who wrote the script for Dondo Hare?
Dondo Hare was written by Eriko Komatsu, who crafted the series' warm, character-driven narrative centered on a young woman's journey into the traditional world of Japanese inn hospitality. The story blends family dynamics, cultural customs, and personal growth throughout its run.
What genre is Dondo Hare?
Dondo Hare is a Family Drama series. It combines heartfelt family storytelling with themes of personal ambition, cultural tradition, and interpersonal relationships, all set against the backdrop of a traditional Japanese ryokan. Its tone is warm, optimistic, and character-focused throughout.
What are shows similar to Dondo Hare?
Viewers who enjoy Dondo Hare may also appreciate similar Japanese dramas such as Not the Girl (2021), This First Love Is Fiction (2021), SUPER RICH (2021), Life: Love on the Line (2020), and A Galaxy Next Door (2023), which share comparable themes of romance, personal growth, and everyday drama.
More About Dondo Hare
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