Hiyokko (2017)
A heartfelt NHK asadora drama following a young woman's courageous journey from rural Japan to 1960s Tokyo in search of her missing father.
Hiyokko - Series Information
- Original Title: ひよっこ
- First Air Year: 2017
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 15 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 160
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK
- Production Companies: NHK
- Production Countries: Japan
Hiyokko - Plot
The 17-year-old Yatabe Mineko grew up in a family of seven in a mountain village in northeastern Ibaraki Prefecture. Her father Minoru has gone to Tokyo to work in order to earn extra money. However, her life completely changes when her father does not come back for the New Year. Mineko asks her family to let her go to Tokyo to find him and promises to send money home. In the autumn of 1964, she and two childhood friends Tokiko and Mitsuo are hired to start working at a small factory in Tokyo's working class neighborhood. After work each day, Mineko searches for her father and gets disheartened at times. Mineko overcomes challenges and starts to lay down roots in Tokyo as she experiences many meetings and farewells amid the laughter and tears with regulars, people of the shopping street, friends, and colleagues. But will she be able to find her father?
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Hiyokko - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kasumi Arimura as Mineko Yatabe
- Kanau Miyahara as Chiyoko Yatabe
- Yohei Okuda as Akira Matsushita
- Ikko Furuya as Shigeru Yatabe
- Ikki Sawamura as Minoru Yatabe
- Honoka Matsumoto as Sumiko Nabatame
- Yoshino Kimura as Miyoko Yatabe
- Kazunobu Mineta as Muneo Koiwai
- Rai Takahashi as Susumu Yatabe
- Yui Sakuma as Tokiko Sukegawa
Writers
- Yoshikazu Okada
Hiyokko - FAQs
What is Hiyokko about?
Hiyokko follows Mineko Yatabe, a 17-year-old from rural Ibaraki who travels to Tokyo in 1964 to find her father, who never returned from work. She takes a factory job, searches for him after hours, and gradually builds a life full of friendship, hardship, and heartfelt moments in the city.
Is Hiyokko based on a true story?
Hiyokko is a fictional story, though it's deeply rooted in the real social history of 1960s Japan. The series captures the mass migration of rural youth to Tokyo during Japan's postwar economic boom, a phenomenon known as the 'golden era of high growth,' lending the drama an authentic historical texture.
Who plays the lead role in Hiyokko?
Kasumi Arimura plays Mineko Yatabe, the warm-hearted and determined protagonist. Her performance anchors the series, bringing genuine charm and emotional depth to a young woman navigating loss, independence, and belonging in a rapidly changing city.
What is an asadora and is Hiyokko one?
Asadora — literally 'morning drama' — is a beloved NHK format featuring short daily episodes that follow a young woman's journey through life's challenges. Hiyokko is a classic asadora, airing in 15-minute episodes and blending personal growth, community warmth, and historical backdrop in the tradition of the genre.
How many seasons and episodes does Hiyokko have?
Hiyokko ran for 2 seasons and a total of 160 episodes. Season 1 comprised 156 episodes, while Season 2 added 4 more. Each episode runs approximately 15 minutes, making it an easy daily watch in the classic NHK asadora tradition.
What era does Hiyokko take place in?
The story unfolds during the Showa era, beginning in autumn 1964 — the same year Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics. It captures Japan's postwar transformation: rural communities sending their young to the city, factories humming with new industry, and a nation redefining itself with remarkable speed and energy.
What are shows similar to Hiyokko?
Fans of Hiyokko often enjoy other NHK asadora series like Amachan (2013), Warotenka (2017), and Come Come Everybody (2021), which share similar coming-of-age warmth and historical settings. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (2016) and Descending Stories: A Life In Rakugo (2018) also offer rich Showa-era storytelling.
Who wrote the screenplay for Hiyokko?
The series was written by Yoshikazu Okada, a seasoned Japanese screenwriter known for his ability to balance everyday human warmth with broader historical and social themes. His script for Hiyokko earned praise for its gentle humor, emotional honesty, and richly drawn ensemble of supporting characters.
More About Hiyokko
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