Silent Hill f Stars Appointed Ambassadors For Real-Life Village Inspiration

Takeshi Masago and Tamami Hiraoka, who played the parents of protagonist Hinako in the horror game Silent Hill f, have been appointed tourism ambassadors for Gero City in Japan's Gifu Prefecture.

The two actors revealed the news in a YouTube short posted on February 2, 2026. Titled ‘Important Announcement,’ the video began with a solemn tone, leading many viewers to anticipate a serious personal reveal. It concluded with Masago and Hiraoka breaking into celebration, holding up their official tourism ambassador certificates for the camera.

The news was first reported via IGN — Gero City, and more specifically, the Kanayama-cho area, was the primary inspiration for the game’s fictional 1960s setting of Ebisugaoka, a rural village characterized by its narrow alleyways and old houses. The appointment marks a new chapter in the connection between the game and the real-world location.

The announcement video served as a culmination of an ongoing series of social media clips from the pair. For the past month, Masago and Hiraoka have been uploading videos of themselves on "husband and wife dates." This created a dedicated following among fans who enjoyed their wholesome off-screen chemistry, a stark contrast to the abusive relationship their characters have in the game.

The cryptic nature of the ‘Important Announcement’ led to widespread speculation that they would confirm a real-life marriage. Viewers commented on the video, expressing their surprise, with one noting:

"I thought you were going to say 'we're getting married for real’ lol."

Another echoed the sentiment:

“When they revealed the documents, I seriously thought for a moment that they were marriage certificates.”

The actors, however, have maintained that their relationship is professional.

Masago has been actively involved in promoting Gero City's local attractions. He recently visited the 300-year-old Okuhida Shuzo rice wine brewing facility in the area, a visit he documented on X (formerly Twitter). In connection with the game's popularity, the brewery released a special batch of Silent Hill f themed sake and chocolates, which sold out almost immediately. This is part of a larger trend of the game's cast engaging with its audience.

Since the game’s release in 2025, several of the Japanese actors have started their own YouTube channels to livestream their playthroughs and share behind-the-scenes stories from the production. The trend began when Konatsu Kato, the actress for Hinako, started her playthrough in October 2025, which has since gathered over five million views. She was followed by Yuuka Iijima, who plays Rinko Nishida, and Natsuki Osaki, who portrays Shu Iwai.

The appointment of video game-related personalities as tourism ambassadors is not unprecedented in Japan. In 2020, the developers of the PlayStation game Ghost of Tsushima, Nate Fox and Jason Connell, were made permanent tourism ambassadors for the real-life Tsushima island. Tsushima's mayor, Hiroki Hitakatsu, stated the honor was for spreading the island's history to the world in "such a wonderful way." The game's popularity also led fans to crowdfund the repair of a shrine gate on the island after it was damaged by a typhoon. Masago and Hiraoka are the first such ambassadors for Gero City, representing a growing phenomenon where popular games drive tourism and cultural interest in Japan's regional areas.

Read also about producer Motoi Okamoto hinted that future installments could explore other cultures and their unique beliefs, much like the Japanese-inspired setting of the recent spinoff.