What It's Really Like Inside Terrace House

The Japanese reality TV show has been described as both boring and fascinating, and has gathered a cult following abroad. Matthew Hernon chats with the stars to find out what it’s like on the inside.

A fly-on-the-wall reality show focusing on six, mostly polite Japanese people living together without a competitive angle: Terrace House doesn't sound particularly captivating. Fairly calm and undramatic, the participants have little interest in backstabbing or causing rifts like they do in Western reality programs, yet somehow the concept works. It's mundane and addictive at the same time.

"There are conflicts in the house, but they're dealt with in a quiet, considered way which can be even scarier than something explosive," comedian Ryota Yamasato tells Weekender. "I think it gives a fascinating and realistic insight into modern Japanese society and the way people interact here. I'm not typical in that sense so it's an interesting learning experience for me."

Yamasato, or Yama-chan as he's better known, is one of six commentators on the show who watch and analyze the week's main events. He's the cynical one of the group, taking pleasure in the misfortune of the housemates, particularly when relationships turn sour. "I don't dislike people falling in love, it's just more fun when things go wrong," he says, smiling. "Not everyone wants to see these models and athletes succeeding. I prefer to focus on their flaws, which some people like, while others tweet me to say I'm being too harsh. The passion people have for the show is great. I especially love getting messages from abroad."

Since premiering on Netflix with English subtitles two years ago, Terrace House has garnered a cult following globally, and as Netflix Japan content manager Kaata Sakamoto told Buzzfeed News, it has "exceeded expectation in terms of international viewership."

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