For Those Seeking Unpredictable Journeys: Following in the Footsteps of Popular Show How do you like wednesday?

For Those Seeking Unpredictable Journeys: Following in the Footsteps of Popular Show How do you like wednesday?

Last update :
Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

How do you like wednesday is a late-night variety show produced by Hokkaido Television Broadcasting (HTB). Regular broadcasting began in 1996, and after a hiatus in 2002, new episodes have been irregularly aired. Whether in Japan or abroad, this show approaches its travels with the same stance, welcoming unexpected events with a positive attitude. The essence of the show lies in the thrill of not knowing what will happen next. So, let’s go out without even knowing where we’re going, or perhaps taking someone who hasn’t been told where they’re going, and see where the journey takes us.

This is the show’s logo. You will see dedicated fans of the show with stickers of the logo on their car windows all over Japan.
ⒸHTB This is the show’s logo. You will see dedicated fans of the show with stickers of the logo on their car windows all over Japan.

Table of Contents

Where can I watch How do you like wednesday?

After their initial airing, edited versions of the Return series, the Classic series and the Premier series are repeatedly broadcast nationwide, and they are also available for streaming on hod (HTB’s on-demand service) and Netflix. Additionally, many segments are compiled into DVD and Blu-ray sets. The packaged versions often include more footage than the broadcast versions, and the bonus audio commentary features detailed explanations and casual conversations by the two cast members and the directors’ team, providing fans with an even richer experience of the show.

Get the Complete DVD Box.
ⒸHTB Get the Complete DVD Box.

What is their journey like?

1. Only one member of the team doesn’t know the destination.

This is the scenario where Chief Director Tadahisa Fujimura, Director and Camera Operator Masamichi Ureshino, and the performer and planner, Takayuki Suzuki, also known as “Mister,” all know the destination, while the other performer, Yo Ōizumi, is kept in the dark until the trip begins. This pattern is common in overseas projects but is also seen in many domestic ones. Ōizumi is provided only with the schedule without knowing where the team will go or what they will do until they arrive on-site. The advantage for ordinary people following such a journey is the abundance of surprises and freshness. The disadvantage is the possibility of inappropriate or inconvenient situations, such as going out in shorts in cold weather.

Example projects include overseas travels.

2. No one knows the destination.

In scenarios where the entire team doesn’t know the destination, they roll the dice or draw cards with destinations written on them. While they may have some idea of possible destinations, the actual destination is left to chance. Even if an undesired outcome occurs, following the outcome while perhaps grumbling at the person who made it happen allows for continuing the journey along a fresh and innovative route.

Example projects include “Dice Journey,” “Country Sign Journey” and “Postcard Journey.”

3. Everyone knows the destination.

In plans like touring the temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage one by one or traveling from north to south while competing as a team to taste delicious sweets from various regions, there’s no uncertainty about the destination itself. However, whether the travel itinerary goes as planned depends on the situation at hand. In any case, it becomes an “anything can happen” journey.

Example projects include “Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 Temples” and “Battles on Archipelago.”

1. Travel across Japan

There are several ways to travel all around Japan in a “How do you like wednesday?” fashion. Regardless of the method you choose, maintaining a positive and resilient attitude is key to making your journey enjoyable.

The iconic flip board from “Dice Journey,” where fate is at the mercy of the dice
ⒸHTB The iconic flip board from “Dice Journey,” where fate is at the mercy of the dice

A journey relying on luck to return home

The first method involves relying on luck to return home. Start by traveling to a reasonably distant location from your home, then set up six destinations and means of transportation along the route back home, including some slight detours. Roll the dice and follow the number rolled to determine your actions. If you make it home smoothly, great! But unexpected detours might lead you to discover the charm of unknown places or use unusual modes of transportation, making you physically drained, and it’s all part of the experience.

Titles Destinations
Dice 1 Tokyo / Matsuyama / Usuki / Kokura / Osaka / Niigata / Otaru
Dice 2: Complete Conquest of Western Japan Tokyo / Kobe / Kumamoto / Sukumo / Tosa Nakamura / Kochi / Hakata / Fukuyama / Shiroishijima / Tokushima / Wakayama
Dice 3: Complete Destruction of the Autonomic Nervous System Kawasaki / Tokyo / Tottori / Kyoto / Tsuruga / Kanazawa / Hakata / Nagasaki / Nishikagoshima / Okayama / Hyogo / Awajishima
Dice 4: Complete Conquest of the Japanese Archipelago Izumo / Hiroshima / Toyama / Shinano Omachi / Ise Shrine / Sendai / Utsunomiya / Kyoto / Hakata
Dice 5: King of Late-Night Buses Tokyo / Hakata / Nishikagoshima / Ibusuki / Amami Oshima / Osaka / Sapporo
Golden Special: Dice 6 Tokyo / Izu Oshima / Kochi / Osaka / Nara / Matsuyama / Tokyo / Hirosaki / Hakata / Shin-Osaka / Kochi

A journey where destinations are left to chance

The second method involves having a purpose but leaving the destination to chance. From a pile of face-down postcards gathered nationwide, featuring some of the finest landscapes in the country, pick one and visit the location depicted on it to recreate the scene. Once you reach that destination, draw another postcard and proceed to the next location. This method not only brings excitement about what landscapes you’ll encounter but also offers the joy of experiencing the journey and the route taken to see them.

Titles Destinations
Postcard Journey Across Japan Gunma / Tokushima / Ishikawa / Ehime
Postcard Journey Across Japan 2 Ibaraki / Hokkaido / Miyazaki

Learning journey

The third method involves learning through hands-on experience. This type of journey, particularly popular during the university entrance exam season, focuses on topics likely to appear in social studies and geography exams. Rather than simply memorizing answers through classroom learning, immerse yourself in fieldwork by traveling to various locations and use your senses to absorb knowledge firsthand. Use a play on words to make that knowledge easy to remember, and you’ll be all set for the exam. Knowing that your journey might help other students prepare for exams, some amount of hardship would probably feel nothing to you.

Titles Destinations
Quiz! “These will be on your exam” Shiga / Gifu / Shizuoka / Yamaguchi / Kagoshima / Fukuoka
“These will be on your exam” —the Japanese history version Aichi / Shiga / Kyoto / Hyogo

A satisfying journey

The fourth method involves deliberately using a less powerful type of Category 1 motorized bicycle (50cc) to reach the destination, aiming to achieve a sense of accomplishment. While traveling solely on regular roads, putting a food container on the carrier might add some fun. Trying out local sweets at various stops also adds color to the journey.

Titles Destinations
Conquering the Japanese Archipelago on a Motorcycle Tokyo / Kanagawa / Shizuoka / Aichi / Mie / Nara / Wakayama / Tokushima / Kochi

A journey where you can savor gourmet delights and strengthen the bonds within the team

The fifth method is to focus on the vibrant aspect of the journey by indulging in sweets from all over the country. Not only is it about eating, but it is also about competing within teams to see who can finish their treats deliciously and quickly. This will undoubtedly deepen the bonds among your travel companions.

Titles Destinations
Battles on Archipelago: Sweet Treat Conquest Hokkaido / Aomori / Akita / Iwate / Miyagi / Yamagata / Tochigi / Fukushima / Saitama / Nagano / Gifu / Aichi / Hyogo / Okayama / Kagawa / Kumamoto / Kagoshima

A journey of enduring hardship

As a variant of the first method, there is an option to use physically demanding modes of transportation, specifically relying solely on overnight buses for travel—which will be quite a challenge.

Titles Destinations
A Special 5th-Anniversary Project: “Sapporo to Hakata—A Three-Night Consecutive Overnight Bus Journey” Hokkaido / Aomori / Hakata

2. A trip centered around Hokkaido

Unpredictability is what makes a journey fun.
ⒸHTB Unpredictability is what makes a journey fun.

A trip attempting to conquer by going wherever it leads

Hokkaido is vast. It’s probably about 100 times larger than what people outside the prefecture imagine. In 1997, there were 212 municipalities in this expansive Hokkaido (as of 2024, after reorganization, there are 179 municipalities). At the boundaries of each municipality, there are signs bearing the names of the municipalities along with symbols of local specialties or landmarks. You turn these signs—called “Country Signs” —into cards. While it’s a method that’s extremely unsuitable for visiting those places sequentially if your priority is efficiency, by turning them over and randomly drawing and visiting the municipalities indicated on them, you can explore aspects of Hokkaido that you wouldn’t encounter just by casually driving around. Still, it’s quite a challenge to visit them all using this method. Even the show hasn’t managed to achieve this feat, but it’s worth attempting.

Titles Destinations
The Journey of Visiting the Country Signs of Hokkaido’s 212 Municipalities Sapporo City / Yubari City / Horokanai Town / Uryu Town / Nayoro City / Toyokoro Town / Shikabe Town
The Journey of Visiting the Country Signs of Hokkaido’s 212 Municipalities 2 Sarufutsu Village / Oiwake Town = current Abira Town / Maruseppu Town = current Engaru Town / Okoppe Town / Shimokawa Town / Taisei Town = current Setana Town / Kaminokuni Town
The Journey of Visiting Tokachi’s 20 Municipalities Honbetsu Town / Obihiro City / Kamishihoro Town / Memuro Town / Hiroo Town / Nakasatsunai Village / Otofuke Town / Ikeda Town / Ashoro Town / Urahoro Town

A journey of hot springs

If you’re into a more serene journey in Hokkaido, why not try a hot springs tour? Especially for those with physical discomfort, visiting as many hot springs as possible may allow them to experience their healing effects. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even extend your journey to Aomori Prefecture, but be sure to check the operating days and hours beforehand.

Titles Destinations
The Hemorrhoid Battle Journey Yakushi Onsen: Niseko Town / Futamata Radium Hot Springs: Oshamambe Town / Hiratanai Onsen: Kumaishi Town = present Yakumo Town / Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen: Todohokke Village = present Hakodate City / Sukayu Onsen: Aomori City / Osorezan Onsen: Mutsu City

A journey to enjoy fishing

For those who want to enjoy a more relaxed time in Hokkaido, fishing is another option. Whether you head out to sea on a boat to catch big fish or try your luck ice fishing for smelt, both are enjoyable options. However, be aware that some form of motion sickness may be inevitable either way, so take precautions.

Titles Destinations
Monbetsu Offshore Fishing Match Monbetsu Town = present day Hidaka Town
Fishing Match: Ice Fishing for Smelt Shinshinotsu Village
Fishing Match! Smelt Fishing 2 Shinshinotsu Village

Why Not “Live” There?

If you’ve fallen in love with Hokkaido after your travels, why not just settle down there? Buying a piece of land in the mountains, constructing a log cabin with a view of a pond—all this can foster a sense of attachment. Just be prepared for the possibility of your home getting buried under heavy snowfall.

Titles Destinations
We’ll build a house in Hokkaido. Akabira City

3. Journey in Tohoku

One of the charms of Tohoku is its advantageous location, where you can leisurely prepare for cherry blossom viewing after hearing the cherry blossom news starting from the south. Taking advantage of this, you can enjoy the elegance of patiently waiting for the slowly advancing Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms and pinpointing the beautiful yet fleeting forefront of their blooming. In which town and in which prefecture will you capture the northernmost blooming this year?

It’s important to keep track of where the cherry blossom front is.
ⒸHTB It’s important to keep track of where the cherry blossom front is.
Titles Destinations
The Sakura (cherry blossom) Front Capture Operation Miyagi / Iwate / Akita

There was once a tour where a large number of people followed the route of the Sakura Front Capture Operation. The tour featured various arrangements prepared by the hosts to entertain the guests. While it’s not possible to experience the exact same arrangements as back then, it’s still possible to embark on a journey following the trail of the tour. You can enjoy it even when the cherry blossoms are not in bloom.

Titles Destinations
2 Nights 3 Days Hellish Tour in Tohoku Miyagi / Iwate / Toyama

4. Journey through Hokuriku

To pass an entrance exam and get accepted to the school of your choice, it’s crucial to develop a solid foundation that allows you to tackle any subject by studying comprehensively. However, it’s also been a long-standing strategy to zero in on specific areas to unleash the greatest breakthrough power when it comes to taking exams. How about revisiting Ishikawa and Toyama, the two prefectures known for being “zeroed in on,” as a part of your journey for active learning?
If you happen to face any shortcomings after showcasing the knowledge gained from your on-site experiences, there’s always the option to embark on a journey to Shikoku for further exploration. Whether you smoothly return home from Ishikawa or extend your trip to Shikoku, it all depends on what you gain from your journey through Hokuriku.

Not to worry, examinees!
ⒸHTB Not to worry, examinees!
Titles Destinations
“These will be on your exam” Ishikawa / Toyama

5. A trip centered around eastern Japan

To travel around Kanto, Yamanashi, Nagano and Tohoku in the style of the show, there are broadly two methods. The first method is making use of the Category 1 motorized bicycles (50cc) as demonstrated in the fourth option of “Travel across Japan.” The motorized bicycles you acquire in Tokyo will undoubtedly come in handy for future adventures. You want to be accustomed to riding them regularly, but when embarking on long distances, be sure to familiarize yourself with gear changes and throttle control when starting off, so you won’t panic when the time comes.

Even a daruma can become part of the luggage.
ⒸHTB Even a daruma can become part of the luggage.
Titles Destinations
72 Hours! Motorcycle Rally Across Eastern Japan Tokyo / Saitama / Gunma / Niigata / Yamagata / Akita / Aomori / Hokkaido

And another option is to rely on your own feet to make your way. Once you land at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, start walking right away. Enjoy the picturesque scenery along the Tamagawa River, observe the transformation from pastoral landscapes to the towering skyscrapers of the city center, and walk your way from the downtown area through the traditional neighborhoods to the newly developed residential districts. Walking this route on your own will undoubtedly bring a sense of accomplishment, albeit perhaps accompanied by a few complaints along the way.

Titles Destinations
Tokyo 2 Nights 3 Days 70km Haneda Airport / Giants Tamagawa Ground = current Tamagawa Green Space Baseball Stadium / Denenchofu / Takanawa Prince Hotel = current Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa / Odaiba / Roppongi / Budokan / Ryogoku Kokugikan / Asakusa / Oizumi Gakuen Station

6. A trip centered around western Japan

When traveling around Kansai, Chugoku, San-in and Kyushu in the “How do you like wednesday?” style, a reliable option is once again the Category 1 motorized bicycle (50cc). Starting from Kyoto City, you can smoothly navigate the narrow national and prefectural roads that now serve as old routes toward the Japan Sea side. While it may struggle on slopes, its reliable cargo-carrying capacity and maneuverability make it a trustworthy companion. When crossing from Honshu to Kyushu, you can conveniently pass through the tunnel dug under the Kanmon Straits by pushing your motorized bicycle.

Mr. Ōizumi’s helmet has “hariko-no-tora,” a traditional toy native to Izumo, on top of it.
ⒸHTB Mr. Ōizumi’s helmet has “hariko-no-tora,” a traditional toy native to Izumo, on top of it.
Titles Destinations
Conquering Western Japan on a Motorcycle Kyoto / Hyogo / Shimane / Tottori / Yamaguchi / Fukuoka / Oita / Miyazaki / Kagoshima

It’s also a good idea to revisit the places that helped you during your travels. In western Japan, consider visiting the small workshop of “Hime Daruma (doll)” in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. When you have a clear purpose, be sure to inquire about the operating days and hours beforehand.

Titles Destinations
A Mini Revival! A Small Journey to Visit the Memorable Filming Locations Oita

7. A journey in Shikoku

What makes Shikoku particularly notable as a travel destination is that even when you don’t plan to go there, you often find yourself there somehow. If you end up in Shikoku by chance anyway, you might want to visit the place with a proactive attitude.
When it comes to thoroughly exploring the four prefectures of Shikoku, embarking on the Shikoku Pilgrimage is the most suitable and purpose-driven option. The pilgrimage involves visiting the holy eighty-eight temples that are the training traces of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai or Odaishi-sama), who is said to have been born in Sanuki. Traveling clockwise from Tokushima through Kochi, Ehime and Kagawa, you’ll often encounter magnificent views from mountain tops and gradually find yourself feeling more serene. Another appealing aspect of the pilgrimage is the option to travel counterclockwise from Kagawa (called gyaku-uchi), adding variety to the journey.

However, when there are time constraints such as a set return flight, the latter half of the pilgrimage tends to become a challenging journey. To pilgrimage with composure and ensure that your serene expression doesn’t turn stern, you should allocate a longer schedule. Additionally, depending on the season, there may be situations like cable cars not operating or roads being closed due to snow, so if you plan to complete the entire pilgrimage, be sure to carefully plan your journey in advance.
Of course, while it’s unnecessary to vocalize plans on where to eat udon, it’s best to decide on this aspect beforehand and prioritize its execution above all else.

They may take poses inspired by the name of the temple, or they may not.
ⒸHTB They may take poses inspired by the name of the temple, or they may not.
Titles Destinations
Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 Temples Tokushima / Kochi / Ehime / Kagawa
Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 Temples2 Tokushima / Kochi / Ehime / Kagawa
Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 Temples3 Kagawa / Ehime / Kochi / Tokushima
R-14 Tokushima/Kagawa

8. A resort trip

Taking frequent overnight buses on the fly, traveling with a Category 1 motorized bicycle (50cc), or being on the road for long distances with short schedules can lead to accumulating fatigue. It’s a good idea to occasionally insert a healing journey to take care of your body.
By making the resort hotel itself the destination, you can enjoy a stay-focused trip where you can relax within the hotel grounds. The ample facilities, luxurious room amenities, and numerous activities offered will keep you interested and entertained without needing to venture outside the resort.
The only concern is the length of stay. To fully enjoy the facilities and activities, you’ll need a decent amount of time. In short trips, if you try to do everything and end up running around the grounds, you might ironically get tired and return home exhausted, which defeats the purpose. When attempting this type of journey, take plenty of time off.

Titles Destinations
A Journey to Enjoy Miyazaki’s Resort Miyazaki

9. A journey on a remote island

There may be occasions when you end up on a remote island during a journey across the country relying on chance, but often the short duration of stay prevents you from fully enjoying the place. Therefore, to thoroughly enjoy the experience, make a remote island your destination from the start.
Walking around a small island, engaging in fishing at various water spots, spending the night fishing until dawn as you lay down in a casual jogging suit, or exploring hidden gems of the island with the guidance of locals with unique personalities—all these options are worthwhile.
Remote islands with warm climates are often susceptible to the impact of typhoons, so choose the right season when visiting to avoid getting stranded. However, if you do get stranded, maintaining a positive attitude and actively enjoying the experience can make the journey entertaining.

Titles Destinations
“Riyaka” (handcart) Around Kikai-jima Island Tokyo / Kagoshima
Grand Champion Tournament: 24-Hour Endurance Fishing Match on Yakushima Island Yakushima
Intense Battle! Iriomote Island Okinawa
Nostalgic Iriomote Island Okinawa

Wrap-up

Have you decided on the direction of your journey?
Where to go, what your purpose will be—those still undecided might consider entrusting their fate to some dice. When it's time to set off, always approach it with the spirit of a first venture, and aim to return safely and enriched from your travels. The essence of delightful travel lies in not being too rigid about your destination or schedule. Don’t fret, travelers!