Photo/Illutration Akira Inoue sits on the second floor of Kangetsu-an Shintoyo in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, where scenes of “Drive My Car” were shot. The inn is characterized by a large window facing the Seto Inland Sea and its interior, which makes use of old wood. (Tomohiko Noto)

KURE, Hiroshima Prefecture--In August 2020, about one and a half years before “Drive My Car” won the Oscar for best international feature film, director Ryusuke Hamaguchi and his film crew were scouting locations in the city.

It took about two hours by car from the Hiroshima city center to get to the Yutakamachi-Mitarai district, located on the eastern edge of Osaki-Shimojima island.

The district once flourished as a port town during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

In the port town, the director came across a spot that met his ideal. 

Hamaguchi became adamant about shooting scenes at Kangetsu-an Shintoyo, a traditional inn built by making use of a 150-year-old building in a corner of the city that retains the ambience of bygone times.

The film's protagonist Yusuke Kafuku, played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, stays at the inn, which is also seen in the trailer.

When Hamaguchi visited the inn for the first time in the afternoon during the location-hunting trip, he went up to the guest room on the second floor, which is characterized by a large window.

He slowly sat in “seiza” style on his heels on the tatami mat floor in the room, which is outfitted with old furniture, and watched the panorama of the Seto Inland Sea and small islands through the large window for a while.

Akira Inoue, 43, head of Yosoro LLC that operates the inn, nervously watched Hamaguchi from behind, sitting on his heels just like the director.

Inoue said he remembers when Hamaguchi said how fantastic he felt there.

“He mumbled with a sigh. I thought he must have connected with my favorite place and landscape, which have deep significance, and I was overcome with emotions,” Inoue said. “Seeing him sitting on his heels, I also felt he had respect for the building and the landscape that have been preserved for a long time.”

Inoue said he showed Hamaguchi buildings in three locations, but he eventually decided to shoot scenes in the room.

Filming was done on Nov. 10 and 11 in 2020 on a tight schedule from early morning to evening.

Inoue was on standby on the first floor of the inn, and Nishijima would come down there between takes.

“He was tall and handsome,” Inoue recalled. “And on top of that, he was very friendly.”

Afterward, staff members told Inoue that they were able to shoot footage for important scenes.

Kangetsu-an Shintoyo opened in February 2018. It is limited to one group of guests per night because Inoue feels strongly that he wants to put his best efforts into providing hospitality.

“I hope the warmth and energy of the landscape of the Setouchi region and its townscape are conveyed through the screen and help visitors rediscover the charms of Mitarai,” Inoue added.

According to the Yutakamachi tourist association, the number of sightseers visiting the area increased after the film's release, even despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“When it comes to Hiroshima, people around the world think of its history with the atomic bombing,” said director-general Masae Ishida, 76. “But I hope they can learn through the movie that there are many beautiful places all around.”

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