I’m a diehard fan of Japanese movies. When I was a child, I watched Studio Ghibli anime over and over, rewinding the VHS tapes until they wore thin. As a teen, I subscribed to a “DVD by mail” service so that I could get my hands on obscure Japanese films!
These days, I still love to screen and enthusiastically discuss Japanese cinema. In the early years of my La Carmina blog, I even had a “film of the week” feature that highlighted scary Japanese movies. I’ve also become involved in film production in Tokyo, and acted in a few of my friends’ Japanese B-movies.
What makes a Japanese movie so wonderful to watch? Pick one from this list, and you’ll quickly find out.
The most famous movies about Japan and Japanese movies run the gamut of genres, from cheeky comedies to samurai dramas. You may not have heard of some of these titles before, but I’ve viewed them all (some multiple times) and am passionate about my favorites.
Please don’t be wary of watching a “foreign film” in a language you don’t know. I’m certain you’ll be captivated by the wild imagination and visual stylishness of these Japanese directors, and most of them come with subtitles. In the age of Netflix, we have all become accustomed to foreign films.
Japanese animated movies are a particularly unique genre watched by many adults, and not just by children.
These productions have such a distinct illustration style and storytelling method that they’re given their own name: Anime. Think of the charm of Hayao Miyazaki’s “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away”.
Japan has produced acclaimed movie directors like Akira Kurosawa and Takashi Miike. Over the years, Japanese film characters have also become pop culture icons. All around the world, viewers can recognize the mighty Godzilla, and long-haired Sadako of “The Ring”.
But it is not just movies produced in Japan by a Japanese crew that are popular. The country is so fascinating and has so many things to do that movies about Japan, including those shot in English by international directors, are also wonderful to watch.
I could rave all day about Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Volume 1”, especially the final showdown with swords, in a Zen garden bathed in snow. A cult director for fans worldwide, Tarantino is a regular at horror and sci-fi movie festivals like the annual one held in Sitges.
When you watch Japanese movies, you’ll be entertained while learning about the history and culture. As the storylines unfold, you’ll get to know Japan’s many cultural quirks, such as how entire families bathe together, or how ritual suicide is considered honorable among the samurai.
Movies like “Tampopo” give you a glimpse into the Japanese obsession with a perfect bowl of ramen, while “Lady Snowblood” lets you admire stylish kimonos (her robe with a butterfly print and red lining is to die for).
A Japanese movie might teach you about the samurai-era feudal system, or see the futuristic dystopia of Neo Tokyo.
Watching good Japanese movies is a fabulous way to get in the mood for an upcoming trip. For different perspectives of the country and its culture, I suggest watching features about Japan by English-language directors, as well as movies by Japanese filmmakers.
Sit back and enjoy a Japanese movie night with one of my selections. Maybe you can get in the mood with a Sapporo beer, and snack on dried seaweed or edamame instead of popcorn.
To paraphrase the creepy protagonist of “Audition,” I hope these movies help you get “Kiri, kiri, kiri” (deeper, deeper, deeper) into Japan’s vibrant culture!
Japanese Movies
Let’s begin with a roundup of the best movies by Japanese directors, with dialogue in Japanese. I’ve included a selection from all film genres including Japanese dramas, comedies, action flicks, monster and horror movies. Many of these are award-winning movies, and others are box office hits and cult favorites.
Some of the movies offer versions dubbed in English. However, I strongly recommend that you listen to the original Japanese audio, and read the subtitles in English or your preferred language. This way, you’ll get a better sense of the actors’ expressions and subtle cultural nuances.
If you are interested in watching some of these Japanese movies, you might be able to do so via Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or by purchasing them online. I have included that information after the description of each movie.
Japanese horror movies and monster movies
Audition
![Audition (1999) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fX746b8pDVg/hqdefault.jpg)
Takashi Miike is a jaw-droppingly productive director, with over 100 titles to his name since 1991. Although he makes movies in a wide variety of genres, he shot to worldwide fame in 1999 with “Audition,” and has been celebrated as a master of Japanese “new wave” horror ever since.
Based on a novel by Ryu Murakami of the same name, “Audition” starts out innocently enough. A filmmaker stages a fake audition for his widowed friend Shigeharu, to help him find the perfect new partner. Shigeharu becomes captivated by Asami Yamazaki, a young lady with long black hair.
At first, you might think you’re watching the wrong movie: “Audition” feels like a playful romance as the two fall in love. However, things soon take a turn for the macabre. Shigeharu realizes that Asami’s resume doesn’t add up, and slowly learns of her mind-games and sadistic tendencies.
Bloody things begin to reveal themselves in her bare-bones apartment, which contains nothing but a phone and a giant bag with something alive inside. Be prepared for pain mixed with pleasure at the end, with an unforgettable final scene involving needles!
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
The Ring
The Ring is one of the most famous scary Japanese movies, spawning a horror film franchise and American remake. The strongest film of the “Ring Cycle” remains the original “Ringu” film from 1998. Despite the VHS technology in the story, the horror movie stands up to the test of time and remains a frightful watch, especially around Halloween.
The movie opens with two teens discussing an urban legend, where anyone who watches a weird video tape will receive a phone call with creepy sounds. Seven days later, the cursed person will die. The tale sounds ridiculous… until an unmarked VHS tape starts getting passed around. The teenagers who watch it end up dying in terrifying ways.
When the adults investigate the murders, they learn of Sadako, the woman seen in the flickering video footage. She crawls towards the screen with long matted hair…
Be prepared to scream as she lifts up her decomposing face and rushes to grab you! The fast-paced horror film is full of twists, and will keep you on the edge of the seat until the cliffhanger at the end.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Ju-on: The Grudge
Convinced that his wife had an affair, a jealous man murders his wife and son in a rage. The force of his hatred unleashed a curse, or grudge, on the house where the killing took place, infecting the lives of everyone who passes through.
Filmed in three discontinuous sequences, “Ju-on: The Grudge” focuses on a family that moves into the haunted house without knowing its past. Rika, a social worker, finds a closet covered in duct tape. She can’t resist opening it, and finds a creepy white-faced little boy inside.
Soon, other ghosts come out to play, leading to jump-scares and killings when they are least expected. “The Grudge” series turned out to be such a popular Japanese horror movie that there are 13 films to date, in both English and Japanese.
The J-horror movie touches upon the odd Japanese custom of marking certain properties as “shinriteki kashi bukke,” or “blemished”. This is a realtor’s euphemism for a home where someone violently died by murder or suicide.
These houses tend to be cheaper, so some people actually seek them out, including my Tokyo Goth friends, who aren’t afraid to live the “Ju-on lifestyle” surrounded by ghosts!
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Tetsuo: The Iron Man
After you watch “Tetsuo”, you’ll understand the cosmic horror behind the Styx song “Mr Roboto”: “You’re wondering who I am. Machine or mannequin. With parts made in Japan”.
Released in 1989, this low-budget cyberpunk horror was mostly filmed in the director’s apartment. His experimental tale pushes the boundaries of the perverse: you’ll never look at a metal drill quite the same way again, once you see what it can do to flesh and bone.
The Japanese horror movie “Tetsuo” introduces us to a regular salaryman, who is puzzled to discover a metal spike in his cheek. In a nightmare tale with David Cronenberg and Franz Kafka vibes, his body parts keep transforming from flesh into metal, until he reaches his final form as an Iron Man.
Don’t expect this to turn into a superhero movie. Instead, there’s a mangle of flesh, maggots and steel as the salaryman butts heads with crazed fetishists. In the most famous scene, his penis turns into a spiky, spinning metal drill. A bloody impaling scene ensues. Only in Japan, right?
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Godzilla
Hail Godzilla, king of the kaiju or Japanese giant monsters!
Arguably Japan’s biggest film star, the scaly, fang-toothed and screeching beast is famous all around the globe. The Japanese monster movies hold the Guinness World Record for the longest continually running film franchise, with 35 titles and counting over the past six decades.
One of the strangest facts about Japan is that in 2015, the Japanese government honored the powerful Godzilla by officially making him a Japanese citizen.
I recommend viewing the first “Godzilla” that started it all. Released by Toho Studios in 1954, director Ishiro Honda establishes many of the series tropes, including Godzilla stomping around and destroying buildings.
You’ll be amused and impressed by the early “suit-mation” special effects, where a man in a monster suit terrorizes miniature sets. The original “Godzilla” movie also stands out for its vivid soundtrack, and socio-political commentary about the consequences of the hydrogen bomb.
If the first “Godzilla” movie leaves you ravenous for more, then you can tackle the sequels and spin-offs. Many Japanese monster movies feature other kaiju, such as Mothra the mega-moth.
You can have a binge-watching party, and cheer on the scaly hero as he battles Mecha-Godzilla and Space-Godzilla. Or you might aww over “Son of Godzilla,” which introduces his creepy-cute son Minilla, and teams up the father and son against massive insects.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: The newest version on Amazon Prime & the Showa Era films on Amazon
Japanese anime movies
Spirited Away
Often called the “Walt Disney of Japan”, Hayao Miyazaki is Japan’s anime superstar.
His Studio Ghibli (which even has a museum) has produced dozens of acclaimed Japanese animated films. Miyazaki’s distinctive, fantastical art and stories convey such power that many fans around the world consider his films life-changing.
Recommending a single Miyazaki film is as difficult as picking one Disney feature, and many of his works have reached iconic status. However, many will agree that “Spirited Away” is Miyazaki’s masterpiece. It’s also my personal favorite, and I consider it one of the best anime movies ever made.
A young girl, Chihiro, enters an abandoned theme park with her family. Her parents are tempted by piles of delicious food, which curses them and turns them into pigs.
Chihiro cannot change them back or cross over the flooded river, so she’s stuck in the spirit world. She takes a job in the bathhouse, and many adventures ensue as she seeks a way to break the curse.
“Spirited Away” takes your breath away with its otherworldly visuals, especially of the curious spirits that visit the traditional Japanese bathhouse. I’m eternally charmed by the black fuzzy soot sprites, and fat yellow birds splashing around in tubs.
And then there’s No-Face, a strange creature in a white expressionless mask and black cloak, whose mood swings from hostile to gentle. I get chills every time I watch the silent scene of them riding the train. The shots of the passing Japanese landscapes, at night and lit by lanterns, feels straight out of a dream.
For more Miyazaki, check out “My Neighbor Totoro”. The fuzzy, pointed-eared Totoro and his friends are the definition of “kawaii” cute. “Howl’s Moving Castle”, “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “Princess Mononoke” are also brilliant Japanese anime movies with brave protagonists, set in enchanted worlds.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon
Grave of the Fireflies
Be prepared to weep hard when you watch “Grave of the Fireflies”.
The story follows a boy and a girl who lose their mother to a firebombing in World War II. After she succumbs to her wounds (the image of her wrapped in bloody bandages will haunt you), they have to fend for themselves. The pair move into an abandoned bomb shelter, and struggle to find enough to eat.
The children find beauty in simple joys, such as the light of fireflies. However, the warring world deals blow after blow upon them, leading to an inevitably sad conclusion. You may never look at a Sakuma Drops candy tin again without shedding a tear.
Critics agree that “Grave of the Fireflies” is among the best Japanese anime movies. I’m glad I saw it, and still remember scenes vividly, but it’s certainly not an easy watch.
Sean Lennon expressed this best when he watched the anime with Yoko Ono, who was a child during WWII. In his words, “Watching the film with her was quite a profound experience. I really feel that the film managed to capture a certain reality that a lot of people lived through, but she specifically felt”.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon
Akira
If you’re under the impression that Japanese anime is mainly for and about kids, then watch “Akira”. This 1988 animated film broke ground with its electrifying portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world.
Japan’s capital has been destroyed by a singularity, and has become a decaying metropolis called Neo Tokyo. Tetsuo, the friend of bike gang leader Kaneda, develops psychic powers after a motorcycle crash. Epic chases ensue as rival gangs pursue the duo, and a resistance movement against the corrupt government arises.
As a “Blade Runner” fan, I was enthralled by the opening chase scene where Kaneda speeds through the ruins of Tokyo on a sleek red bike. The 1980s synthwave visuals contrast with the traditional gamelan and noh soundtrack. With all these vivid colors and sounds, you’ll find it hard to keep your eyes from the screen.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
A Silent Voice
I encourage you to see “A Silent Voice”, a contemporary success by Kyoto Animation. This studio hires more women than most anime companies, and was recently in the news because the headquarters came under a devastating arson attack.
A deaf girl named Shoko joins a school and her classmates find it difficult to communicate with her. Shoya, a bully with spiky black hair, starts tormenting and throws away her hearing aids, leading to her withdrawing from the program.
Years later, Shoya is a high school social outcast who tries to make amends. He learns sign language and carefully begins building bridges with Shoko.
However, things get complicated with parents who remember him as a bully and former classmates that have mixed feelings about having the deaf girl in their lives.
I confess I was initially doubtful about the topic of teen bullying. However, as soon as I started watching “A Silent Voice” I was absorbed by the realistic characters and storylines.
The Japanese anime shows all of their perspectives and thoughtfully conveys the complex actions and emotions that can lead to someone attempting suicide. I find some older anime to be slow, so I was delighted by this film’s brisk pace and evocative cinematography: love the shots of the changing sky, with a portion of a house in the corner.
There are plenty of funny moments as well, especially the reactions of the pudgy student Tomohiro, which keep the story from getting too heavy.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Netflix, Amazon Prime
Japanese romantic comedy movies
Tampopo
Ramen is serious business in Japan, which makes it the perfect comedic fodder for the movie “Tampopo”.
A truck driver tries the noodle soup of a widowed lady, and admits that it’s “sincere, but lacks character.” Tampopo asks him to become her sensei (master) and he agrees to help her reach the heights of ramen-hood.
Hilarious antics ensue as they try to discover competitors’ secret recipes, and deal with eccentric customers that visit her noodles shop.
Described as a “ramen Western” (as a play on the spaghetti Western genre), “Tampopo” creates laughs from a mishmash of film tropes.
The Japanese movie pokes light at the film noir genre, and even has a training montage where Tampopo has to lift heavy buckets and perform tasks to her teacher’s satisfaction.
In between the main storyline, “Tampopo” amuses viewers with little skits. One depicts a woman’s spaghetti-eating etiquette class, which devolves into chaos when her students are unable to slurp noodles without making noises.
Another shows the many creative ways that a gangster incorporates snacks into love-making (much like Seinfeld’s George Costanza tried to do). Some parts of the movie are hit and miss, but overall, “Tampopo” is a light and entertaining romp.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Shall We Dance
Japan’s rigorous work culture gets shaken up in “Shall We Dance”, a feel-good movie about the joys of ballroom dancing.
The title was remade in English, starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, so be sure you choose the Japanese movie as they both have the same name.
Shohei, a suited-up salaryman, falls into depression despite his career success. While on the train, he notices an elegant ballroom dancer, and works up the courage to take a class with her.
After some initial stumbles, Shohei excels in ballroom dancing and it brings new light to his life. However, he has to keep the activity a secret, as it is considered embarrassing among his conservative Japanese colleagues.
“Shall We Dance” is a delight from start to finish. Watching Shohei practice choreography in his office will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.
Laughs ensue as we get to know his fellow dance students, including a man in a terrible wig. Things threaten to fall apart as the protagonist joins a competition and his wife suspects him of adultery. Thankfully, all the pieces come together for a satisfying end.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Best Japanese samurai movies
One thing that we all associate Japan with are samurai swords and geisha. It should come as no surprise that there are a lot of Japanese samurai movies where the beautiful swords take center stage.
The Tale of Zatoichi
Zatoichi, the blind swordsman, is the hero of a swashbuckling film series set in the Edo era. Like many Japanese, I’ve been captivated by his sword-fighting sagas since childhood.
The sightless Zatoichi appears to be a harmless masseuse and gambler. However, if trouble arises, watch out. He’ll turn his cane into a sword and attack the bad guys with lightning speed!
As Zatoichi roams the land, he stands up for the common folk against evil samurai and yakuza. The movies show how he cleverly uses his skills of smell and listening to make up for his lack of sight.
People underestimate Zatoichi due to his modest appearance and disability, making it especially gratifying when the underdog prevails.
Much like how many people associate James Bond with Sean Connery, I prefer the earliest Zatoichi movies where he was played by Shintaro Katsu.
Begin with the original black-and-white “Tale of Zatoichi” (1962), which introduces you to the hero and his keen gambling and fighting abilities.
I also recommend the most recent installment (2003’s “Zatoichi” starring Takeshi Kitano), which is action-packed with rich cinematography.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Lone Wolf and Cub
If you ask me, the best Japanese samurai movies of all time are the six that make up “Lone Wolf and Cub”. Ultra-stylish, bloody and slightly campy, this 1970s film series is one that I can watch over and over again.
“Lone Wolf and Cub” follows Ogami Itto, a scowling assassin who wanders Japan while pushing his infant son Daigoro in a wooden pram. After Ogami’s wife is killed, he and his son set out on a “road to hell” to get vengeance on the Yaygu clan that masterminded the murder.
While all these Japanese samurai films are violent eye-candy, I especially adore the second one, “Baby Cart at the River Styx”.
The father and son encounter female assassins who fight with gymnastic flips, and brandish daikon vegetables as unexpected weapons. Then, they meet three brothers hiding under pointed straw hats (I call them “basket-heads”), who wield brutal weapons like an iron claw.
“Lone Wolf and Cub” is infamous for its sword-fighting scenes with large body counts, but some of the best moments are the quiet ones between the stoic father and son.
One of my favorite moments is when Ogami yells “Daigoro!” and the boy ducks his head, narrowly missing being decapitated. In another, Daigoro takes rice balls from a Buddhist altar to feed his injured dad, and uses his mouth to bring him water.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Seven Samurai
Cinema lovers bow down to Akira Kurosawa, one of the most influential filmmakers in Japan, if not of all time.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Kurosawa directed the most famous samurai movies in the world, including “Rashomon”, “Yojimbo” and “The Hidden Fortress”. Two of his greatest samurai epics are inspired by Shakespeare: “Throne of Blood” (Macbeth) and “Ran” (King Lear).
I own a Kurosawa DVD box set and I feel the best way to appreciate his artistry is by watching all his greatest works. However, if you’ve only got time for one, or have never seen a Kurosawa film before, then I suggest that you cue up “Seven Samurai”.
Don’t be taken aback when you hear that this 1954 movie is 3.5 hours long, and in black and white. There’s a reason “Seven Samurai” is always on the list of greatest movies of all time: the engrossing characters, battle scenes and heightened drama will keep you riveted the whole time.
The plot centers on a group of villagers, who hire seven ronin (samurai without masters) to protect them against bandits.
You’ll be charmed by this rag-tag fighting team that includes a quirky old man, a young eager soldier, and the crazed Kikuchiyo who isn’t even a real samurai.
The tension rises as they cleverly fortify the village against the bandits. Brace yourself for the brilliant final battle in the rain, leading to the poignant but heroic deaths of several characters.
Kurosawa’s shooting methods, which were unconventional for the time, place you right in the battle action.
Despite being set in 16th century Japan, the characters’ shared mission and strong personalities make “Seven Samurai” a universal story, and undoubtedly one of the best Japanese movies you will see.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Blade of the Immortal
The prolific Takashi Miike (who directed the horror flick “Audition”) is also a master when it comes to Japanese samurai movies. I encourage you to view 2017’s “Blade of the Immortal” for a contemporary take on the samurai genre.
Miike tackles a Tokugawa-era story with splashy technicolor fight scenes and puts the characters in anime-styled hair and outfits.
The immortal in question is Manji, a samurai on the lam. When he’s injured, an eerie old witch feeds him bloodworms that let him heal from any wound. From now on, even his severed hand can reattach itself to his body!
Decades later, a young girl convinces the unkillable Manji to be her bodyguard, in her quest to avenge her parents’ death. Manji has to face off with fierce assailants from the Itto-ryu school, and sustains plenty of injuries (but the worms work their magic in stitching him back together, to some extent). Will he heal up enough to defeat their leader, the elegant axe-wielding Anotsu?
“Blade of the Immortal” is clearly adapted from a manga series, as the story features theatrical dismemberments, outrageous modded weapons and villains with stylized hair. It’s a fun, flashy Japanese samurai film that takes the genre into the new millennium.
For more samurai action from Miike, you can also watch “13 Assassins“, his remake of the Eiichi Kudo film of the same name. A gang of assassins swears an oath to kill the sadistic Lord Matsudaira, leading up to a heart-pounding final battle sequence that lasts 45 minutes.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: Amazon Prime
Best Japanese action movies
We’ve been talking about anime and Japanese samurai movies but there are so many more genres out there, including Japanese action movies that don’t involve samurai swords or anime characters.
Battle Royale
“The Hunger Games” looks like a walk in the park compared to “Battle Royale”, an action film that also sets teenagers against each other in a fight to the death.
Considered one of the best and most influential Japanese movies, “Battle Royale” was so controversial when it was released in 1999 that it was banned from several countries.
A Japanese junior high school class takes a field trip, but the bus is gassed and the students find themselves on a remote island. They’re given a bag of weapons, and informed that they must kill one another until a single victor remains.
If they refuse to cooperate, a collar on their necks will explode. The death toll rises as the teens form alliances and plot to destroy each other or escape off the island.
While “Battle Royale” is best known for its creative bloodshed, the film also dives into teen angst and relationships in compelling ways. The “battle to the death” concept is now often used by other works, but the original remains a thrilling powerhouse.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Ichi the Killer
Be warned that Takashi Miike’s “Ichi the Killer” is a total gore-fest. This 2001 release gained such notoriety that the producers handed out barf bags before screening it at film festivals.
Your jaw will drop open when you meet Kakihara, a blonde yakuza member who has his lips slit wide in a permanent Joker smile. The only thing he loves more than abusing victims is being tortured himself, so he sets out to find the “master butcher”, Ichi, to scratch his itch.
The crime tale has some of the goriest scenes you’ll see on screen, with depraved sessions involving suspension, hot oil and long metal skewers. However, Miike turns up the dial so high that the extreme violence ends up being comical.
You might be surprised to find yourself laughing as the characters encounter all sorts of shady underworld characters, leaving a literal blood trail behind (at one point, even the ceiling is bathed in red).
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Lady Snowblood
There are many good Japanese movies out there, but few have a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating like “Lady Snowblood”. Quentin Tarantino adored this low-budget action film so much that it inspired his “Kill Bill.” You’ll notice plenty of direct parallels in the plot, visuals and soundtrack.
“Lady Snowblood” is set in the early days of the Meiji Era, when Western fashion and ideas were beginning to gain influence.
A woman loses her family to four murderers and endures rape and imprisonment before giving birth to Yuki. The mother dies shortly after childbirth, but not before passing on her thirst for revenge to her baby.
Yuki grows up consumed with the desire for vengeance. After mastering the art of fighting, she seeks out the four killers to strike them down, and fulfill her mother’s wrath.
You can’t help but be captivated by the deadly cool heroine who rocks pale white skin and chic Japanese robes. Yuki can easily defeat a group of men with a purple parasol, and even uses the pin in her hair as a weapon.
Director Toshiya Fujita’s fast-zoom camera work and artful framing add to the high drama. You’ll be cheering Lady Snowblood on every time she strikes down an opponent and cherry red blood spurts out like a fountain!
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Best Japanese Drama
Departures
Watching a drama like “Departures” is one of the best ways to get to know the ins-and-outs of Japan’s culture. Even I was surprised to learn of “encoffinment”, an ancient Japanese death ceremony where the mortician cleans, dresses and makes up the body before burial.
Daigo, a failed cellist, returns to his small northern hometown to start anew. He takes a job with a “departures agency” without realizing that this means working with the dead.
Daigo initially finds the tasks literally stomach-churning, but he soon discovers dignity and meaning in these final goodbyes. However in Japan, ritual morticians are historically considered unclean, leading to tensions with his wife when she learns what he really does.
“Departures” balances humor and poignancy, with many moving moments between the main characters and the families that enter their lives.
The acting is excellent, and conveys how Daigo found quiet nobility in a profession that many consider taboo. I also enjoyed seeing the small town life and northern landscapes, with sweepings shots set to cello music.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Tokyo Sonata
![Tokyo Sonata (2008) Trailer [ENG SUB]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lyWp__jXNRw/hqdefault.jpg)
“Tokyo Sonata” is a Japanese movie about a regular family and its secrets. As you watch their wrought interactions, you’ll get a feel for Japan’s male-dominated family culture and the issues that members face when they are bound to traditional roles.
Head of the household Ryuhei loses his job and goes to great lengths to hide this from his family. Meanwhile, his young son disobeys his dad and uses his lunch money to secretly take piano lessons.
The story also follows his wife, who gets taken hostage by a man desperate for money, leading to a variety of confrontations, including a run-in with her husband, who she spots working as a janitor.
“Tokyo Sonata” can be slow at times and some parts such as the car hostage scenario feel farfetched.
However, it powerfully shows how the family members are consumed by everyday melancholy, in their failed attempts to fill Japanese social roles (patriarchal provider, housewife, obedient child).
These underlying forces are so strong Ryuhei can’t explain why he acts in certain ways, such as hitting his son when he finds out about the piano lessons.
“Tokyo Sonata” weaves their storylines until they come to a head, forcing the Japanese family to tackle these problems directly.
Language: Japanese
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Movies about Japan (or set in Japan)
Japan is a favorite subject for movie directors from around the world. Many filmmakers shoot movies in Japan and pay homage to its pop culture, as Sofia Coppola did in “Lost in Translation”.
Others portray historic moments, such as the Edo era and World War II, using English-speaking actors.
Here’s a list of the best-known movies set in Japan, or made by international directors and inspired by Japanese culture.
In my opinion, some of these miss the mark. However, others are excellent movies that might get you hooked on Japanese pop culture and inspire some wanderlust.
Kill Bill: Vol 1
I saw the first “Kill Bill” movie as soon as it came out, and remember walking out of the theater with my jaw on the floor. Quentin Tarantino pairs wild J-pop culture with his signature wit and violence and the results are to die for.
The Bride, played by Uma Thurman, wakes up from a coma after she was shot in the head. Thirsty for revenge, she sets out to kill Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who were responsible for her suffering.
Much of “Kill Bill: Vol 1” is set in Japan. The Bride flies to Okinawa and convinces a retired sword-maker to create a katana for her, to enact her vengeance. Then, she goes to Tokyo to hunt down O-Ren Ishii, a Deadly Viper who is now the yakuza leader.
The grand showdown takes place in a rustic two-story Japanese restaurant. An unforgettable sword fight ensues between The Bride and the Crazy 88 gang, as well as O-Ren’s crazy bodyguard, a giggling Japanese schoolgirl who swings around a spiked ball on a chain!
Quentin Tarantino shows his love for famous Japanese movies in his directorial choices: such as an anime sequence that tells O-Ren’s story, and fountains of blood gushing from lopped-off limbs like in “Lady Snowblood.”
I loved the many pop culture touches, such as the funny tourist dialogue between the Bride and the sword-maker before he realizes who she is, and the rockabilly jangle of a Japanese all-girl band (The 5.6.7.8’s).
Although “Kill Bill” has many memorable scenes involving Japan, perhaps the most resonant one is the final duel.
Snow falls gently over a Japanese garden, with only the wooden click of a bamboo fountain to break the tension between the fighters. I’ve seen this thrilling action movie multiple times, and it never ceases to give me goosebumps.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
The Wolverine
The poster for “The Wolverine” shows the hero holding a Japanese sword behind a red circular rising sun and the Tokyo skyline. Almost the entire movie is set in Japan and it’s an enjoyable superhero flick that incorporates Japanese yakuza, ninja, samurai and World War II history.
“The Wolverine” in question is Logan, the X-Men bad boy with long metal claws that shoot out from his hands. He was a prisoner in Nagasaki in 1945, where he saved officer Ichiro from the atomic blast. Decades later, the ageless Logan travels to Japan to see his old friend, who is now dying.
While in Tokyo, the yakuza try to kidnap Ichiro’s granddaughter (who has a colorful dyed hairstyle with bangs, much like my own). Cue a number of tussles with the underworld, including a robotic parasite that makes Logan lose his healing ability.
Hugh Jackman is always fantastic as the scowling and six-packed Wolverine. I liked seeing his character have adventures in Japan without the usual X-Men cast. “The Wolverine” isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s a solid action flick with terrific production.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Isle of Dogs
Wes Anderson brings his signature aesthetic to stop-motion animation, in a dystopian movie about dogs in Japan.
Sometime in the future, the fictional city of Megasaki, Japan is beset by the canine flu. The mayor decrees that all dogs must be deported to Trash Island.
His ward, a boy named Atari, defies the decree and flies to the island to find his companion Spots. He’s helped by a pack of dogs, each with its own spiffy personality. As they search for the missing animal, the group has to face obstacles like robot catchers and supposed cannibals.
“Isle of Dogs” is peak Wes Anderson and every frame is an eye-pleaser. The stop-motion format lets him express his symmetrical compositions, quirky references and color palettes in new ways.
The attention to detail pays off; I was in awe at the 45-second sushi making scene, which took a month to shoot.
While the script is nothing special, “Isle of Dogs” is pure eye candy for fans of Japanese culture. I loved how taiko drummers, Shinto temples and Yoko Ono got the “Wes Anderson treatment.”
He also has multiple scenes solely in Japanese, with no subtitles, yet you can still comprehend the gist of what the characters are saying, much like dogs can understand humans without speaking their language.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Memoirs of a Geisha
One of the best known movies about Japan is “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Based on the novel by Arthur Golden, the story follows a poor young girl who joins a geisha house and goes through strict training.
As Chiyo grows older and more talented, she butts heads with Hatsumono, the celebrated geisha who sees her as a rival. She also catches the eye of a Chairman and gets entangled in dramas with other jealous ladies and patrons who bid to take her virginity.
Although many people have heard of “Memoirs of a Geisha”, the soap opera style drama and plodding pace make this a mediocre movie in my opinion.
The actors are adequate, although the casting caused controversy at the time because the three main roles went to actresses of Chinese descent. I’d encourage you to watch a Japanese samurai movie instead, for more authentic glimpses of geisha culture.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
The Last Samurai
Equally a well-known movie about Japan as Memoirs of a Geisha is The Last Samurai.
Tom Cruise plays Algren, a jaded former US captain who is hired to train the Japanese Imperial Army and help them suppress a rebellion led by samurai.
He’s taken prisoner but spared by the samurai leader, and gains sympathy for their cause as he learns their language and culture.
“The Last Samurai” is an okay watch as an action movie, but much of the treatment seems dated to today’s eyes (the film came out in 2003). Some criticize the movie for having a “white savior” narrative and romanticizing the samurai traditions from an outsider’s point of view.
I’d pick a Takashi Miike Japanese action movie over this one, or “Kill Bill” if you’re looking for a samurai sword thriller that is in English.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Lost in Translation
“Lost in Translation” influenced quite a few people to book a ticket to Japan in the 2000s.
I know travel bloggers that sought out the exact places and activities shown in Sofia Coppola’s movie, particularly the jazz piano bar at the Shinjuku Park Hyatt hotel, the Starbucks overlooking Shibuya Scramble and the singing rooms at Karaoke Kan.
The movie introduces us to Bob (Bill Murray), a movie star past his prime who is resigned to doing Japanese whiskey commercials and kooky game shows.
He meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) a young woman in Tokyo because of her husband’s work, who is sitting around bored and disillusioned with her life. The two develop a surprising friendship, and take pleasure in the culture shock of Tokyo while bonding over their personal troubles.
Many of the “Lost in Translation” scenes have become overexposed over the years (I’ve worked on too many travel TV shows that insist on recreating Tokyo scenes from the movie).
However, this doesn’t take away from the excellent screenplay (which won the Oscar in 2004 for Best Original Screenplay) and performances that show many aspects of Japan. The movie is full of unexpectedly sweet, melancholic and real human moments and I found I had a different reaction to the ending each time, depending on my headspace.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
Best Japanese documentaries
As you discover Japan through movies, you’ll surely grow more intrigued by the country’s history and culture. You can dive deeper into these curiosities and learn something new, by watching documentaries about Japan.
There are a number of Japanese documentaries on a variety of subjects, but my favorites tackle the topics of Japanese food and nightlife.
By watching a nonfiction movie about Japan, you’ll get to observe fascinating practices and people via real-life footage. What better way to prepare you for a trip?
Here are the best and most famous documentaries about Japan, which will help shine a light on the country’s culture before you visit.
Jiro Dreams Of Sushi
Sushi reaches heavenly heights in Japan, and one of its most celebrated chefs is Jiro Ono. He runs a ten-seat 3-Michelin starred Tokyo restaurant called Sukiyabashi Jiro, where his tasting menu is priced at hundreds of dollars per customer.
Jiro, an elderly man with a bright smile, is a compelling subject for a documentary about his life and work called Jiro Dreams of Sushi.
Through beautiful cinematography and a Philip Glass soundtrack, we see how he’s attuned to every single detail that goes into his sushi, such as how long the staff should massage an octopus before preparing it.
I adore how the documentary takes us behind the scenes at his kitchen and teases out what makes Jiro a master.
His quest for perfection is engrossing, with a work ethic and talent that few can emulate. I sometimes like to put “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” on in the background and soak in the atmosphere while I tackle a task.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
The Cove
A shocking Japanese dolphin hunt is uncovered in “The Cove”, a groundbreaking movie that won the 2010 Oscar for Best Documentary.
In the town of Taiji, fishermen engage in a yearly dolphin hunt, which the Japanese public is largely unaware of. The intelligent mammals are driven into a cove where they are slaughtered for meat, or captured and sold to marine parks.
The fishermen insist the hunt is legal, and that their livelihood depends on it. However, activists give evidence that the slaughter is cruel and that dolphin and whale meat contains dangerously high levels of mercury.
Presented from the point of view of the protestors, “The Cove” will open your eyes to a historic practice that continues to be a heated ethical issue in Japan.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon Prime
The Great Happiness Space
“The Great Happiness Space” takes you into an Osaka host club, and follows the lives of the handsome spiky-haired pretty-boys, who are paid to please female customers. You’ll be riveted by the way the hosts whisper compliments to the ladies, and entice them to spend as much as possible on champagne.
Midway through, “The Great Happiness Space” has one of the best reveals in a documentary I’ve ever seen. We learn who these ladies are, and why they are obsessed with spending time and money with the host boys.
The bizarre relationships will leave you scratching your head, give you a fascinating insider look at Japanese nightlife. Hands down one of the best Japanese documentaries I’ve seen.
Language: English
Where to find it: On Amazon
BIO: La Carmina is a travel writer and TV host, best known for her work about Japanese fashion and alternative cultures. She runs the award-winning La Carmina blog, and published three books about Jpop culture with Penguin Random House. La Carmina appears regularly as a presenter on NBC, Food Network, Travel Channel (No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern) and other top television networks worldwide. Find her on @lacarmina Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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