プリティ・ワンダフル・サトシさんへが埼玉愛を語る！Pretty Wonderful Satoshi interview!
<< English entry beow >>
埼玉県愛爆発！プリティーワンダフルさとしとはどんな人？
デイブ・ココ（以下ココ）：
まずは自己紹介をお願いします。「プリティ・ワンダフル・
プリティワンダフルさとしは、一言で言えば旅人、
普段はどのような活動をされているのですか？
ライター、ラジオパーソナリティ、イベントMCなどの活動をしています。
世界中をバックパッカーとして旅していたと伺いましたが、最終的に埼玉に活動の軸を置くようになったきっかけは何だったのでしょうか？
いろいろな場所を旅した結果、最も住みやすく、食のグルメが高く、都会と自然のバランスが素晴らしいことに気がつきました。ココ：
「プリティ・ワンダフル・サトシ」というユニークなニックネームはどのようにして生まれたのですか？
プリティワンダフルさとし：
私の好きなタッグチーム、ポール・オンドーフ＆ポール・ローマのチームネーム「プリティワンダフル」から取りました。
20年以上にわたって埼玉の食べ物を食べ歩いた末に、書籍『
様々な所でご当地グルメを食べ歩きましたが、
なぜ埼玉を「魅惑のフード合衆国」と呼ぶのですか？
プリティワンダフルさとし：
埼玉県のように全ての市町村に、
ココ：
他県にはない、
行田のゼリーフライや本庄のナピラ、
この本の取材・
ご当地グルメの食べ歩き自体は20年以上やっていますが、
一番大変だったことは何でしたか？
本当の地元の人の声、
本の中で食べ物を10のセクションに分けていますが、
取り上げた10グルメも、
ラジオパーソナリティやライターとしても活躍されていますが、
埼玉県は素晴らしいところですが、
20年にわたる埼玉食べ歩きの中で、
なぜ東松山に、
本が出版されてから、
埼玉県は食文化が深くて、
サトシさんにとって、「埼玉を愛する」
人生を豊かに過ごせるということです。
この本を書いたことで、
ますます埼玉県が好きになり、
「埼玉には何もない」と思っている人や、
まずはネイタマを買って読んで、本の通り旅して欲しい。
今後、『ネイタマ』の続編や関連イベント、
今も常に埼玉の新しい魅力を探して旅して、
もし読者を連れて「理想のネイタマ1日フードツアー」
昼はうどんを始め粉物、夜は豚肉のやきとりやホルモンで一献
ココ：
もし埼玉にまだ存在しない「夢のご当地グルメ」
知られざる今あるグルメの掘り起こしをしていて、
English ————————————————————
Spreading his love for Saitama! Pretty Wonderful Satoshi interview
Koco :
First, please introduce yourself. Who is “Pretty Wonderful Satoshi”?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi is, in a word, a traveler; in terms of his profession, a wanderer; a “guide for fun experience” who shares his travel logs and anything and everything he finds interesting.
Koco :
What kind of activities do you usually do?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I work as a writer, radio personality, and event MC.
Koco :
I heard you traveled the world as a backpacker. What led you to ultimately base your activities in Saitama?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
After countless travels to various places, I realized that it’s the most comfortable living area, that has great food and a wonderful balance between urban life and nature.
Koco :
How did you come up with the unique nickname “Pretty Wonderful Satoshi”?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I took it from the team name “Pretty Wonderful” of my favorite tag team, Paul Ondorf & Paul Roma.
Koco :
After more than 20 years of exploring Saitama’s food scene, what prompted you to publish the book “Eating Your Way Through Saitama: Neitama”?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I’ve tried local cuisine in many places, but Saitama Prefecture was by far the best in terms of both variety and quality. A publishing company approached me with the idea of creating a book about Saitama’s local cuisine.
Koco :
Why do you call Saitama the “Enchanting Food United States”?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
There are hardly any other prefectures where every city and town has its own local cuisine like Saitama. Saitama is special when it comes to cusine.
Koco :
What is the appeal of Saitama’s local food scene that other prefectures don’t have?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
Unique food cultures have taken root in each town, such as Gyoda’s Jelly Fry, Honjo’s Napira, and Menuma’s Curry Potatoes, which aren’t found in surrounding cities and towns.
Koco :
How long did it actually take to research and write this book?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I’ve been exploring local cuisine for over 20 years, but actually writing this book required a lot of research and took over a year.
Koco :
What was the most difficult part?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I had to gather genuine opinions from locals, and conduct thorough research to ensure I was satisfied with the outcome. Writing on my own isn’t difficult, but the research aspect was challenging and time-consuming.
Koco :
You’ve divided the food into 10 sections in the book; were there any categories that particularly surprised or impressed you?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
All the dishes I included, and even those I didn’t, were delicious, but the meat broth udon is amazing!
It’s the second largest producer in the country, but in terms of quality, it has long surpassed Kagawa Prefecture’s Sanuki udon.
Koco :
You are also active as a radio personality and writer. How do these activities connect to your love for Saitama?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
Saitama Prefecture is a wonderful place, but too many people aren’t aware of what it can offer.
I work every day to change that perception and spread awareness through my radio talks and writing.
Koco :
In your 20 years of exploring Saitama’s food scene, are there any interesting stories, dramatic events, or unforgettable episodes that stand out to you?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I’ve covered in detail in this book why yakitori made with pork head meat and miso sauce originated in Higashimatsuyama and spread to this extent.
I think it’s a very interesting story.
Koco :
What kind of reactions have you received from Saitama residents since the book was published?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
Many people said things like, “I didn’t know that Saitama Prefecture has such a profound food culture and so many places worth traveling to, even though I live in Saitama.”
Koco :
What does “loving Saitama” mean to you, Satoshi?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
It means being able to live a richer life.
Koco :
Has writing this book changed your outlook on life or your relationship with your hometown?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I’ve grown to love Saitama Prefecture even more, and I felt I needed to spread the word about its peaks!
Koco :
Do you have a message for people who think “there’s nothing in Saitama” or who haven’t yet explored the local cuisine?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
First and foremost, buy and read “Neitama,” and travel according to the book. You’ll undoubtedly fall in love with Saitama and say, “This place sure has everything!”
Koco :
Are there any plans for a sequel to “Neitama,” related events, or new adventures in the future?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I’m constantly traveling and searching for new charms of Saitama, and sharing them on Instagram and other platforms.
I do monthly food tours of local cuisine in and around the area.
If I can find a sponsor, I’d like to create a sequel or hold related events.
Koco :
If you were to take readers on an “ideal one-day food tour of Saitama,” where would you go and what would you eat?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
For lunch, udon noodles and other flour-based dishes, and for dinner, pork yakitori and offal with a drink.
I think this would be a typical Saitama day.
Koco :
If you could create a “dream local gourmet dish” that doesn’t yet exist in Saitama, what kind of dish would it be?
Pretty Wonderful Satoshi :
I’m currently focusing on unearthing lesser-known gourmet dishes I haven’t discovered het, and I’m not thinking about creating anything new right now.
