[iichiko Commercials] Popular and All-Time Commercials Collection [2026]
Iichiko, an authentic shochu known for its catchphrase “The Napoleon of Downtown,” is a popular shochu you can find at convenience stores and supermarkets.
It’s a long-selling product that has been loved for many years, and in fact, TV commercials have been airing since 1986.
There are several series, including ones featuring landscapes from around the world and others with period-drama-style direction, and all of them evoke a sense of nostalgia when you watch them.
In this article, we’ll introduce those past commercials along with the music used in each.
Of course, we’ve also included the latest commercial, so be sure to check it out.
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[Iichiko Commercials] Popular and Historic CM Collection [2026] (21–30)
SANWA SHURUI iichiko “CAMBRIDGE” version
The 2017 “CAMBRIDGE” commercial features scenes from Cambridge, England.
A river flows through lush, tree-lined nature, with ducks swimming in it, and people playing field hockey.
Not only around the river but also on the field hockey grounds, vibrant greenery stretches out, showcasing the beautiful natural scenery of Cambridge.
In the middle of the field hockey game, a dog even catches the hockey ball.
Both people and animals are portrayed living vibrantly amid the rich natural surroundings.
Sanwa Shurui iichiko “Hita Ishizaka Stone Pavement” Edition
In the 2009 TV commercial for iichiko Hita Zen Koji, the familiar Koji Matoba appeared.
The first half of the ad has almost no dialogue, with Fuyumi Sakamoto’s “Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru” enhancing the visuals.
He’s just running in silence, but Matoba’s presence in traditional Japanese attire is undeniably cool.
It even evokes the atmosphere of a period drama.
SANWA SHURUI iichiko “Lifesaver” version
This is the “Lifesavers” segment filmed in Florida, USA.
Several powerfully built lifeguards sprint across the sandy beach toward a magnificent, crystal-clear sea, then, in sync with the mellow vocals of Billy BanBan, they dive into the water one after another.
They keep swimming and soon make it far offshore… perhaps a bit tired, they stop, turn their faces to the sky, and exhale.
Before long, the lifeguards head back to shore.
On the table sit a pale light-blue bottle, a glass, and ice—an irresistibly refreshing commercial.
Sanwa Shurui iichiko “Hudson” Version
This is a commercial filmed on New York’s Hudson River.
A few men and women set a boat afloat on the majestic river, rowing with unwavering focus and impeccably synchronized breathing.
The beautiful river is a sky-like aqua blue, and its wild current and scenery are overwhelming.
The pace is neither too fast nor too slow, and the visuals synchronize as if matching the song’s tempo.
The imagery fits perfectly with the crystal-clear shochu and the pale blue bottle.
SANWA SHURUI iichiko “Boston/New England” Edition
The 2006 version is the “Boston/New England” segment.
Under a blue sky, a man plays baseball, makes a home-run-worthy deep fly catch at the fence, the shortstop turns a double play, and there are even top-down shots of the pitcher—an impressive showcase of the sport’s dynamism.
The background music is Billy BanBan’s “Kimi no Uta” (“Your Poem”).
It’s a piece marked by acoustic sounds and synthesizer, with a distinctive first half built on a sultry, alluring melody.
The lyrics—portraying a man’s feelings toward a woman he once dated, saying “I want to see you again”—really resonate.
Because the melody and lyrics match so well, I think you can enjoy it even more by listening while reading the lyrics.
Sanwa Shurui iichiko “SAN DIEGO” Version
A TV commercial filmed in San Diego, California, USA.
On a vast, desolate field devoid of any man-made structures, several men engage in a triathlon.
With supple, well-built bodies, they run, cycle, and swim.
The combination of visuals that practically convey their breathing and the relaxed vocals of Billy BanBan’s classic song “Sayonara Namida” gently tugs at the heart.
It’s a popular commercial series that depicts humanity against the backdrop of nature’s beauty.
iichiko by Sanwa Shurui: “England” Version
This commercial layers iichiko over the world’s beautiful landscapes, gently expressing the richness contained within it.
Here, it portrays the scenery of England, and as we journey through its lush greenery, it evokes the idea that iichiko supports the traveler.
Further emphasizing the gentle atmosphere of this leisurely journey is Billy BanBan’s “Ima wa, Kono Mama.” Both the sound and the vocals feel like a soft, intimate whisper, and that calm air creates a distinctive sense of weightlessness.
