Nana Mori as “Kiyo”
Playing the role of Kiyo, which I first auditioned for two years ago, I have enjoyed my time in this beautiful kitchen in Kyoto with wonderful casts and staff. I hope that you will witness all this for yourselves when the series makes it to your screens. The beautiful streets of Kyoto. The enchanting dances. The alluring Kyoto dialect. The daily meals. Laughter echoing in the Maiko House. I think this dazzling space will deliver these elements to the audience, no matter how it is presented. We are still filming, but I am looking forward to the finished series. I hope we can all enjoy it together. I think this dazzling space will deliver these elements to the audience, no matter how it is presented. We are still filming, but I am looking forward to the finished series. I hope we can all enjoy it together.

Natsuki Deguchi as “Sumire”
I am Natsuki Deguchi, and I play the role of Sumire Herai.
I didn’t know what to think about playing a maiko called the “once-a-century talent.” (laugh) But having read the script, I felt that rather than having some amazing talent, she is actually a hard-working genius who always thinks about her art because she truly wants to become a maiko. I struggled a lot with this role because she has qualities I don’t, but thanks to everyone’s support, I was able to succeed in portraying her. This series depicts human connections and kind people who support maiko. Please be sure to watch!

Aju Makita as “Ryoko”
Ryoko was not in the original comic and is like a lone wolf in the house as she is the only one who is not a maiko. She is cold to others, but she has a warm, cute side as well.
Please watch and see how Ryoko grows up in her everyday life with Kiyo, Sumire, her mother, and many other people.
It was really fun to shoot with Mr. Kore-eda again after such a long time. Please enjoy watching this series.

Keiko Matsuzaka as “Chiyo”
I was very happy to be able to participate in the production of "The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House" by Director Kore-eda and the Kore-eda’s team. I am also very nervous because I will be the mother in a maiko house that has been in Gion for many generations. I was taught by wonderful teachers, and I felt like a preparer. The more I practiced and talked to the people of Gion, the more I understood what it was all about. I really appreciate this great opportunity.

Ai Hashimoto as “Momoko”
Since it was always a dream of mine to work with director Kore-eda, I cried a little when I got this offer. Yachiyo Inoue taught me the traditional dance, which was an experience I will always treasure. I will never forget the night I danced under a beautiful full moon during the mystical lunar eclipse. I think every scene will be wonderful. Please look forward to it!

Mayu Matsuoka as “Yoshino”
I was able to witness the pure and vibrant acting of the young women playing maiko as well as spend time with more experienced actresses I look up to. I am still inexperienced, but I found myself in a position between the two groups. I watched the more experienced actresses and thought that I wanted to be an adult like them. It was a precious chance to remember how I once was. I was also inspired by passion of the directors, led by director Hirokazu Kore-eda. Since we cannot travel so easily now, we worked hard to create an experience where the audience can feel that they are in Kyoto, whether they are in Japan or not.

Takako Tokiwa as “Azusa”
I’d never seen such a huge set while filming in Kyoto. I was overwhelmed when I saw they created Gion, but I really enjoyed my days filming in this free and bright place. Even though there were people in the staff and cast from various generations, we spent each day laughing together, which really showed me what it was like to work with a Kore-eda production team. All that’s left is to film the winter scenes. I look forward to taking up the precious role of Azusa again, the mother who watches over the maiko.