真夜中の嵐 (Midnight Arashi)
A variety show that aired on Nippon Television every Thursday from 12:45 AM to 1:15 AM (late Wednesday night) from October 4, 2001 to June 27, 2002.
The late-night show featured Arashi traveling across Japan in the middle of the night by taking the last train and then cycling, and was Arashi’s first solo regular variety show. Each member took charge of a section of the journey and attempted to reach the next check point by sunrise.
The program’s theme was “Climb a mountain, dive into the ocean, jump over a cliff.”
◽Episodes
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Eps 01-10
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Eps 11-20
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Eps 21-30
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Eps 31-38
- #1 [2001-10-03]
⁕ Sakurai
⁕ From: Makurazaki Station (Makurazaki, Kagoshima) -- To: Nishi-Ōyama Station (Ibusuki, Kagoshima)
⁕ Sunamushi Onsen - Chrysanthemum Farm - Lake Ikeda
He peeks at a chicken farm and a chrysanthemum greenhouse.
He names a chrysanthemum after Arashi and grows it.
He receives a T-shirt from the man on the boat. - #2 [2001-10-10] "I can see the Island!"
⁕ Aiba
⁕ From: Satsuma-Imaizumi Station (Ibusuki, Kagoshima) -- To: Kagoshima-Chūō Station (Kagoshima)
⁕ Io World Kagoshima Aquarium - Sakurajima Ferrybost - Sakurajima
His plans to go to Sakurajima are quickly diverted to the aquarium,
and gets in by name dropping Nippon Television.
Of course, he also goes by ferry to Sakurajima. - #3 [2001-10-17] "Midnight Cows"
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ From: Kagoshima Station (Kagoshima) -- To: Mochibaru Station (Mimata, Miyazaki)
⁕ Nakamura Ranch Milk Farm
He delivers milk at Nakamura Farm.
He confronts a cow, but runs away in fear.
He earns the nickname "Loser Matsujun." - #4 [2001-10-24] "Ohno Satoshi's Misfortune"
⁕ Ohno
⁕ From: Miyazaki Station (Miyazaki) -- To: Saiki Station (Saiki, Ōita)
⁕ Saiki Umaimon Avenue - Saiki Harbor - Shiroyama
First rainy day on the show.
Since it's the city where a recent murder took place, he searches for a safe spot, and finally boards a fishing boat.
He receives two sharks and heads to a sunrise spot, but the weather is bad and he can't see it. - #5 [2001-10-31] "Aim for Honshu"
⁕ Ninomiya
⁕ From: Usuki Station (Usuki, Ōita) -- To: Mojikō Station (Kitakyūshū)
⁕ Kitakyūshū Harbor - Kanmon Tunnel
He pays 20 yen and escapes Honshu via the footpath.
He thought it would be easy to get to Honshu, which is right in front of him, but it turns out to be more difficult than he expected. - #6 [2001-11-07] "What is masculinity? ~"
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ From: Shimonoseki Station (Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi) -- To: Kawatana-Onsen Station (Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi)
⁕ Kurusonzan Mountain Shūzenji
In order to rid himself of his "loser" image, he sets out on a journey to pursue masculinity.
Asks about "masculinity" at tourist guides, on trains, and in various other places.
He stands under a waterfall. - #7 [2001-11-14] "Deserted Island: First Encounter in 25 Years"
⁕ Sakurai
⁕ From: Nagatoshi Station (Nagato, Yamaguchi) -- To: Masuda Station (Masuda, Shimane)
⁕ Masuda Tsuchida Town - Ōhama Fishing Harbor - Takashima Island
He hears about a deserted island and heads there.
Naturally, it's pitch black and deserted, so even the birds startle him.
He discovers an old paper craft in t an abandoned school and says he wants to find the creator. - #8 [2001-11-21] "The Stolen Bicycle"
⁕ Ohno
⁕ From: Sandankyō Station (Akiōta, Hiroshima) -- To: Hiroshima Station (Hiroshima)
⁕ Nagarekawa
Everyone talks to Oh-chan, and he blends in easily wherever he goes.
He eats and drinks without permission, even though he has no money. However, everyone forgives him. - #9 [2001-11-28] "Mountain★Hero"
⁕ Aiba
⁕ From: Kaitaichi Station (Kaita, Hiroshima) -- To: Kōchi Station (Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima)
⁕ Matsutake Plantation
He's delighted to see the word "matsutake" (Japanese mushroom).
But then a major incident occurs.
He's mistaken for a thief, but in an attempt to redeem himself, he helps out on patrol.
But he touches the matsutake without permission and gets a matsutake kiss.
Later, he spots the matsutake thief and confronts him. - #10 [2001-12-05] "The Legendary Sword"
⁕ Ninomiya
⁕ From: Mihara Station (Mihara, Hiroshima) -- To: Osafune Station (Setouchi, Okayama)
⁕ Osafune, Okayama
Nino always follows through on what he says he's going to do.
He declares once again that he'll become a samurai, and he follows through.
He was cleaning up at a Bizen ware kiln to make plates, but he seemed to enjoy it, working steadily (does he like the details?).
- #11 [2001-12-12] "Celebrating our entry into the Kinki region: Japan is amazing!!"
⁕ Best and Deleted Footage Special - #12 [2001-12-19] "Sakurai's Kyoto Story"
⁕ Sakurai
⁕ From: Jōtō Station (Okayama) -- To: Kyoto Station (Kyoto)
⁕ Arashiyama
The deeply moving epic "I Miss You, Mayumi" ~Sakurai's Kyoto Story~
Sho tries to find the maker of the paper craft from the abandoned school - #13 [2001-12-26]
⁕ Ninomiya
⁕ From: Nagaokakyō Station (Nagaokakyō, Kyoto) -- To: Ōsaka Station (Osaka)
⁕ Minami Senba - Dōtonbori - Sennichimae - Osaka Castle Park
~Osaka Winter Campaign: Chasing Osakans in the Middle of the Night!!~
They've traveled ２１６０ｋｍ so far. - #14 [2002-01-09] "Matsujun Faces a Deer!?"
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ From: Tennōji Station (Osaka) -- To: Nara Station (Nara)
⁕ Nara Park - #15 [2002-01-16] "Fierce Battle!? Ohno vs. Ninja"
⁕ Ohno
⁕ From: Kamo Station (Kizugawa, Kyoto) -- To: Kōka Station (Kōka, Shiga)
⁕ Koka Ninja Village
~Chasing a real ninja in the middle of the night!!~
The ninja village mayor is like a child.
And Oh-chan seriously plays hide-and-seek but can't catch the mayor. - #16 [2002-01-23] "The Naked King in Peril!!"
⁕ Aiba
⁕ From: Kusatsu Station (Kusatsu, Shiga) -- To: Gifu Station (Gifu)
⁕ Kuzu-ken Shinto shrine - Nagara River
Aiba wants to participate in the festival.
However, as he walked down the street selling food, Aiba-chan was noticed.
He was surrounded by people.
As he walked with fans in tow, the caption read "Aiba Festival."
The filming was temporarily canceled, and he went outside, but somehow, his fans came out with him.
He stopped by a goldfish shop along the way and laughed.
Aiba-chan said he wanted to be a grandfather like that. - #17 [2002-01-30] "Key Girl"
⁕ Aiba
⁕ From: Chikusa Station (Nagoya) -- To: Kami-Suwa Station (Suwa, Nagano) - #18 [2002-02-06]
⁕ Ninomiya, Sakurai
⁕ From: Okaya Station (Okaya, Nagano) -- To: Inashi Station (Ina, Nagano)
"Confessions of a 19-Year-Old"
- 19-year-old M's confession (interview only)
- Nagoya: 19-year-old college entrance exam ronin student I confesses to his parents via video (Ninomiya)
(Sakurai accompanies him when he visits his family)
- Studio... Nagano Prefecture's strange foods (sazame crickets, locusts) - #19 [2002-02-13] "Fire Festival"
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ From: Shiojiri Station (Shiojiri, Nagano) --To: Togari-Nozawaonsen Station (Iiyama, Nagano)
⁕ Nozawaonsen, Nagano
~Dosojin Fire Festival~ - #20 [2002-02-20] "Key Break-in"
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
Top 15 Midnight Incidents, as Decided by Viewer Vote
- #21 [2002-02-27] "Celebrating the Kanto Region Entry: Famous Scenes & Unreleased Footage"
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special - #22 [2002-03-06]
⁕ Aiba, Ninomiya, Sakurai
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
Ninomiya: Final Key Visit "Sleeping Face Thief"
Goodbye Key Thief Special Triple Feature!- Mitchell Aiba... High School Girl (Mission Failed)
- Johnny Sakurai... Bank Employee (Mission Failed)
- Bobby Ninomiya... Female Medical Student (Mission Successful)
Sleeping Face Thief is a stylish phantom thief who subtly leaves his mark by taking photos of people's sleeping faces. - #23 [2002-03-13]
⁕ Ninomiya, Ohno, Sakurai
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
Midnight Tokyo Story
~People who held back tears and stood up~
"Today, 30 minutes to think."
Ohno: Shibuya. Old woman
Ninomiya: Ueno. Club hostess
Sakurai: Shimbashi. Salaryman - #24 [2002-03-20]
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
Midnight Tokyo Story Part 2
~People who fell and got back up~
Ohno: Shibuya. Hostess
Ninomiya: Ueno. Homeless
Sakurai: Shimbashi. Office worker - #25 [2002-03-27] "Key break-in"
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
~Angry protest letter from a 27-year-old office worker living alone~ - #26 [2002-04-03]
⁕ Ohno
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
Mother of Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo's Most Accurate Fortune Teller - #27 [2002-04-10]
⁕ Aiba
⁕ To: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (Naganohara, Gunma)
⁕ Kusatsu Onsen - Shiriyaki Onsen
Discovered Kusatsu Piri-Piri Onsen!!
A secret hot spring that makes your skin smooth. - #28 [2002-04-17]
⁕ Ninomiya
⁕ To: Kuroiso Station (Nasushiobara, Tochigi)
⁕ Nasu Kogen
Operation to Capture Noonvanva, a Rare Animal of the Nasu Highlands - #29 [2002-04-24]
⁕ Sakurai
⁕ From: Kurodahara Station (Nasu, Tochigi) -- To: Shirakawa Station (Shirakawa, Fukushima)
⁕ Dekotora - Iimoriyama - #30 [2002-05-01]
⁕ Ohno
⁕ Kaminoyama Race Course
Infiltrating the racecourse at 3:00am
- #31 [2002-05-08]
⁕ Sakurai
⁕ To: Hadachi Station (Oga, Akita)
⁕ Oga, Akita (Namahage)
Spotted tonight! A mask that causes people to breakdown - #32 [2002-05-15]
⁕ Matsumoto
⁕ To: Hon-Hachinohe Station (Hachinohe, Aomori)
⁕ Kabura island
Find the 160-year-old bird!!
MatsuJun learns to talk to birds. - #33 [2002-05-22]
⁕ Ninomiya
⁕ From: Aomori Station (Aomori) -- To: Hakodate Station (Hakodate, Hokkaidō)
⁕ Mount Hakodate - Goryōkaku - Hakodate Asaichi
Landing in Hokkaido!! A crazy time in Hakodate. Hokkaido is full of crabs.
Nino had eaten his fill.
But then something terrible happened.
A staff member told him, and he realized he'd lost his sash.
Frantically recalling his memories one by one, he finally found it (what a relief!) - #34 [2002-05-29]
⁕ Ohno
⁕ Susukino
All the stars of the night are here at Susukino's deep festival! - #35 [2002-06-05]
⁕ Aiba
⁕ Furano, Hokkaidō
The Mystery of "From a Northern Country":
To Furano, the Setting of the Drama
Dawn breaks in the studio (lights up). - #36 [2002-06-12]
⁕ Tokyo Compilation Special
Tokyo's most accurate fortune teller, Father of Ginza - #37 [2002-06-19]
⁕ Right-Before-the-Goal Special - #38 [2002-06-26]
⁕ Arashi, Shinichi Hatori
⁕ Wakkanai Station (Wakkanai, Hokkaidō) -- To: Cape Sōya
◽Info
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Format
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Final Episode Info
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Special Data
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Production
Arashi went on a solo midnight location shoot, with the footage replayed by Arashi and Shinichi Hatori (then a Nippon Television announcer) from the studio. A tent was set up in the studio, and the group gathered around a campfire in the dark (the lights were turned on for the final recording, creating a dawn-like atmosphere).
After catching the last train, the group cycled alone through the city at midnight, aiming to cross Japan from Kyushu to Hokkaido, experiencing a variety of experiences along the way. They carried only nine items (flashlight, compass, binoculars, swim trunks, sash, raincoat, notepad, water, camera; they were later issued work gloves), no money, and no map. The shoot ended at sunrise, and the group put their bicycle keys in a coin locker at a nearby station and handed over their sashes.
Note
After the main part of the series' cross-country journey reached the Kanto region, the route changed to Tokyo. Filming took place on location in Tokyo. After that, the journey across Japan resumed, with each leg traveling directly from Tokyo to the destination station.
All six members of Arashi, including Hatori, rode bicycles from Wakkanai Station, Japan's northernmost station, to their final destination, Cape Soya in Hokkaido. They buried a time capsule at Cape Soya, planted a commemorative tree, and promised to open it 10 years later. The time capsule contained a sash and mementos of the trip (Aiba Masaki's calligraphy reading "I'll definitely fly"; Matsumoto Jun's jumpsuit from the Dosojin Festival Koshunkai; Ninomiya Kazunari's handmade Bizen ware plate; Ohno Satoshi's Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball cap; Sakurai Sho's T-shirt given to him by a seaman), as well as a letter left by each member. The time capsule was opened seven years later, on November 1, 2009, during the program "Amazing Arashi! The Century's Experiment: Even Scientists Can't Predict It! Special & Miracle-Bringing Experimental Live Performance!!," with all members of Arashi and Hatori present.
- December 13, 2001: Commemorating the Entry into the Kinki Region
The true faces of Arashi, as revealed in their adventures up to that point, were announced.- Aiba Masaki - The Brazen Guy
- Matsumoto Jun - The King of Weakness
- Ninomiya Kazunari - The Nonchalant Guy
- Ohno Satoshi - The Out-of-place Man
- Sakurai Sho - The Stiff Guy
- February 28, 2002: Commemorating the Entry into the Kanto Region
The "Top 15 Midnight Incidents, as Decided by Viewer Vote," was announced.- 804 Votes | Cry at Dawn (October 18, Jun Matsumoto)
Under the Waterfall "Aiba, Ninomiya, Matsumoto, Ohno, Sakurai... doing something that only the five of us can do, making people all over the world feel happy." - 722 Votes | Beautiful (October 11, Masaki Aiba)
Kagoshima Aquarium - 709 Votes | Catherine (December 20, Sho Sakurai)
Kyoto Snack Bar "Melody"- The name given to Sho by the owner Miyumi-san - 613 Votes | The Mysterious People of Osaka Castle (December 27, Kazunari Ninomiya)
Bon Odori group, gloved singing group, group hanging from a tree - 590 Votes | Why is it Diagonal?! (January 17, Satoshi Ohno)
Ninja Village, The village chief comments after seeing how well Ohno's shuriken pierces the wall. - 579 Votes | Continued: The Casual Guy (December 6, Kazunari Ninomiya)
Bizen ware pottery, enters the room following the cat - 511 Votes | "Yes!" (November 22, Satoshi Ohno)
Hiroshima Carp fan restaurant - 410 Votes | The Father of the Girl with the Spare Key (January 31, Masaki Aiba)
"Father" written on the instant noodles at the key girl's house. - 396 Votes | Ostriches Attack People (Unreleased, Kazunari Ninomiya and Sho Sakurai)
Sho and Nino try to take a commemorative photo with an ostrich, but... - 346 Votes | You Took Your Wife, Didn't You? (January 10, Jun Matsumoto)
Nara, Matsujun comments on a deer wife - 297 Votes | 50km/Hour (Unreleased, Masaki Aiba)
Unreleased footage, 500m sled run in Nagao ski resort - 295 Votes | Let Me Try It Too (February 14, Jun Matsumoto)
Fire Festival - 172 Votes | Transformation x Transformation (November 22nd, Ohno Satoshi)
Hiroshima, owner, Nagachan Live - 170 Votes | I'll Never Die (January 24th, Aiba Masaki)
Goldfish at the goldfish shop - 111 Votes | Always Ready (December 27th, Ninomiya Kazunari)
Osaka, Shimada Jouji, Ashtray
- 804 Votes | Cry at Dawn (October 18, Jun Matsumoto)
- June 20, 2002, Finish Line Special
Leaving the studio, they reminisce about their travels at a barbecue house in Hokkaido.- Total Distance Traveled: 3,920 km (3,374 km by train, 296 km by bicycle, 178 km by car, 21 km by boat, 78 km by foot, 500 m by sled)
- Total Filming Time: 302 hours
- Total Number of People Met on Film: 605
- Letter Received: 2,622
- Number of Stations Visited by Arashi: 56
- Number of Times Arashi Say "Good Evening" on Film: 531
- Number of Times Arashi Say "Sorry" on Film: 71
- Story: Takeshi Masumoto, Toshiyuki Horie, Shuji Nakamura
- Narrator: Ken Tabira
- Supervisor: Kojiro Kato
- TM: Mitsuyoshi Azuma
- SW: Masatoshi Takanashi
- Camera: Akio Nakagawa
- Adjustment: Masayoshi Ikeda
- Audio: Kenji Yanagihara
- Lighting: Kazunari Watanabe
- Sound: Ken Takatori
- TK: Rie Tamiya
- Desk: Nanae Wakamatsu
- Editing: Junji Yasui (Studio Welt)
- MA: Yukihiro Okuda (Studio Welt)
- Technical Cooperation: Happo Television, Tokyo Fujita Kogyo
- Art Producer: Kazuyuki Onodera
- Design: Junko Kondo
- Art Cooperation: Nippon Television Art
- CG: Ivric Studio
- Public Relations: Nobuyuki Takahashi
- Research: Formulation
- Assistant Director: Ayumi Ai, Nobuhiro Sejime
- Directors: Yuto Kamiyama, Jun Ishio, Kenichiro Kawamoto (Soki)
- Cooperation: Johnny & Associates
- Direction: Bunta Higashii
- Planning: Kazuo Takatani
- Production Cooperation: Imajin
- Producers: Itaru Matsuoka, Hirotaka Aikawa
- Chief Producer: Makoto Yoshida
- Produced by: Nippon Television Network Corporation
