#Japan #Tokyo #Suntory Beer #Awa Odori #Yumi Kawai

A Refreshing Experience: Suntory's New TV Commercial

Suntory has rolled out an engaging new TV commercial for its draft beer, featuring messenger Yumi Kawai. The commercial, titled "Ayumi-san to Matsuri," which translates to "Ayumi and the Festival," will begin airing nationally on July 6. In line with the commercial, a longer web video will premiere on Suntory's official YouTube channel on July 2, narrated by Ryunosuke Kamiki.

About the New Commercial

Suntory Draft Beer aims to be the quintessential beer choice that fits seamlessly into everyday life, balancing full-bodied flavor with easy drinkability. The brand’s ongoing campaign highlights the crisp refreshment and satisfying taste of their beer, particularly during the summer of 2026 under the theme of "Refreshing After a Hot Day." Kawai’s character, Ayumi, is portrayed as a young employee at a fresh produce market who steps out of her comfort zone to participate in a local summer festival, ultimately discovering her passion and sense of fulfillment through dance.

In this commercial, we witness Ayumi's journey as she initially struggles with her role in the Awa Odori dance but gradually gains confidence, culminating in a triumphant moment of enjoying a cold Suntory beer. The ad beautifully captures the essence of summer, camaraderie, and the brand's commitment to uplifting people who strive daily.

Story Overview of the New TV Commercial

Set against the backdrop of a lively summer festival, Ayumi is seen dancing passionately at the Awa Odori. Accompanying her performance, the narrator announces, "Today, Ayumi has worked up a lifetime's worth of sweat."

The commercial then takes the viewer back to a planning meeting for the festival where Ayumi, initially relaxing at home, is unexpectedly volunteered to take on the dance role when another performer had to withdraw due to injury. Despite her reluctance, she finds herself practicing nervously outside her home with the sounds of the Awa Odori music in the background.

As the festival scene unfolds, Ayumi’s determination becomes apparent as she dances, despite her early awkwardness. The pulsating energy of the festival and the thrumming rhythm compel her to join fully, transforming her hesitant movements into a graceful performance. Her journey culminates with a refreshing sip of the chilled Suntory beer after the dance, punctuating the experience with a satisfied sigh, embodying the ideal drink for a hot summer day.

Behind the Scenes of the Commercial Shoot

The filming took place over two days, with the first day focusing primarily on the Awa Odori scenes. Yumi Kawai, dressed in a blue-themed original yukata paired with traditional footwear, took on the challenge of her first Awa Odori dance remarkably well, leveraging her background in dance to master the choreography quickly. Her depiction of the "Onna Odori," or female dance, brought a level of grace that amazed directors and instructors alike.

The complexity of portraying a character who transitions from a distracted state to becoming wholly engaged in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival created a challenge for Kawai. Through numerous takes and valuable feedback, she worked on portraying the subtleties in her expressions and movements to bring authenticity to her character’s development.

After the intricate dance scenes were completed, Kawai joyously embraced the chance to finally enjoy a cold Suntory beer, and this moment became one of the shoot's highlights, correlating perfectly with the advert’s message of refreshment.

The second day was devoted to filming domestic scenes in a lush, green house courtyard. Thanks to the friendly camaraderie shared with co-stars and crew from the earlier shoot, Kawai felt completely at ease and engaged, and the atmosphere remained light and enjoyable throughout.

As production wrapped up, Kawai expressed her satisfaction with the project, sharing her excitement upon viewing the edited footage. The pairing of smooth visuals with engaging storytelling promises to resonate well with the audience this summer.

Details of the New TV Commercial

• - Title: "Ayumi-san to Matsuri" (15-seconds, 30-seconds)
• - Starring: Yumi Kawai
• - Narration: Ryunosuke Kamiki
• - Air Date: Starting from July 6, 2026
• - Region: Nationwide
• - Theme Song: "Ue wo Muite Arukou" by Kazuyoshi Saito

Links to the Commercials

• - 15-second version
• - 30-second version

For more information, you can visit the Suntory Draft Beer Website.

Long-Form Web Video Overview

The 60-second web video titled "Ayumi-san to Matsuri" features the same cast and narration and was released on July 2, 2026. This longer format provides more depth to Ayumi's story and her growth through the summer festival experience, inviting audiences to engage fully with the campaign. You can watch it here.