Today we’re going to take you for a culture trip through some of our favorite Japanese movies.
Aside from foods, movies are often one of the best gateways to have a closer look at one culture. If you are familiar with foreign films, you would probably agree that Japanese cinema is one of its kind.
From food-theme movies, to classic movies to cult-following anime, each genre is an art form itself. They are compelling, daring, imaginative and distinctive in style.
Today at JOC, we’re excited to share a selection of our favorite Japanese movies that will take you a deeper look into the country’s history, culture and values. It’s popcorn time; make some Homemade Popcorn with Truffle Salt!
Let us know if you have watched any of these movies on the list. And if you have any recommendations, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Food-Theme Japanese Movies
1. Sweet Bean あん – 2015
This drama film Sweet Bean received a Critic’s Pick by the New York Times, and it is said that “The movie, beautifully shot and acted, earns its ultimate sense of hope by confronting real heartbreak head-on, and with compassion”. The story centers around Sentaro, a middle-aged man who runs a tiny shop selling Dorayaki (Japanese sweet bean pancake). He finds himself confronted by Tokue, a woman in her mid-seventies with some deformities applying for the position when he puts up Help Wanted sign in his window. Reluctant at first, Sentaro changed his mind after tasting her homemade bean paste. This starts a relationship and life lessons that is much more than just food.
2. Tampopo タンポポ – 1985
Tampopo is a comedic tale of truck drivers Goro and Gun in search of some good eats and run into a widow who runs a small ramen shop. As she is facing some life troubles, they decide to help her on her quest for the perfect ramen recipe and make it the best noodle soup in town. The most recognizable character in the movie is Ken Watanabe. The movie is hilarious with its unique qualities. It comes with evocative accounts that weaves in social aspects of food, sex, cultural hang-ups etc. You may want to watch this while slurping some hot bowl of ramen!
3. Jiro Dreams of Sushi 二郎は鮨の夢を見る – 2011
Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary of 85 year-old legendary sushi master Jiro Ono. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station. Jiro clearly loves his job. As the title suggests, he even dreams about sushi in his sleep. His life-long devotion to the Japanese craft also brings about a complex relationship between him and his two sons.
4. Little Forest: Summer & Autumn リトルフォレスト夏/秋 – 2014
Little Forest: Summer & Autumn is set in a rustic rural mountainside. The story follows a young woman named Ichiko returns to her hometown of Komori (which means ‘Little Forest)’ after being unable to find her place in the big city. Upon her return, she comes to enjoy the simple life as she discovers her new-found connection with food and the surrounding nature and its people. As Ichiko continues to find her own self through the changing seasons, she is also facing her conflicted feelings about her return to Komori. If you don’t mind its slow pace rhythm, this simple movie may make you want to take refuge in the kitchen and start making your own bread & jam from scratch. What’s fascinating is the film has captured the desires of many stress-out city folks for a simple organic lifestyle. The bigger question: is the return to the hometown simply an escape, or the right decision?
5. Kamome Shokudo (Kamome Diner) かもめ食堂 – 2006
Kamome Diner is about a young woman who opens a Japanese diner in Helsinki, Finland. The specialty of her menu is onigiri (Japanese rice balls). As the story develops, the diner appears to attract customers with personal problems. Her delicious food and personable nature seems to help lessen their misery. Relatively slow-pace, this independent film focuses on its visual aesthetic and character development. At the heart of Kamome Diner, food has a powerful way to bring people together and of self-discovery.
Japanese Anime
6. Spirited Away 千と千尋の神隠し – 2001
Dubbed as the Japanese Alice in the Wonderland, this international acclaim anime film is about Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by spirits, witches and gods, and where humans are changed into beasts. Spirited Away is bound to ignite your imagination.
7. Grave of the Fireflies 火垂るの墓 – 1988
Grave of the Fireflies is a story of a young boy and his little sister’s struggle for survival in Japan in the aftermath of the World War II. Get your kleenex ready!
8. The Wind Rises 風立ちぬ – 2013
The Wind Rises is loosely based on the real life story of Jiro Horikoshi, the chief engineer of Japanese fighter planes during Word War 2. Despite the many controversies that surfaced during its release, the film is a remarkable work of Hayao Miyazaki, as it entwines imaginations with reality, ambitions with failures and love with war.
9. My Neighbour Totoro となりのトトロ – 1988
For a more family oriented anime, My Neighbour Totoro is definitely our pick for children and adults alike. The fantasy film takes you to the adventures of two little girls who befriend with the forest spirits when they move into a house to be closer to their ailing mother. One of the magical creatures they meet is Totoro, a huge friendly bear. Together, they set out on several magical adventures. Visually enchanting, the film taps into the wonder and innocence of being a child.
Japanese Classic Movies
10. Seven Samurai – 1954
Set during the civil unrest of 16th-century Japan, the story follows a village of farmers that hire masterless samurai to protect them against the bandit attacks every harvest season. An unforgettable masterpiece of director Akira Kurosawa, Seven Samurai is an all-time legendary picture you must watch.
11. Rashomon – 1950
Considered one of the most daring films of its era, Rashomon is another acclaimed work of Kurosawa that served an introduction of Japanese film for international audience. The plot recounts how a crime was recalled from different perspectives of a bandit, a samurai, the samurai’s wife, and a woodcutter, before ending on a climax that questions the nature of humanity. You may heard of the term ‘Rashomon Effect’? It gets the name from the movie, which refers to contradictory narratives of the same event given by different people.
Japanese Drama
12. Like Father, Like Son そして父になる – 2013
Nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Like Father, Like Son follows a story of a successful businessman whose world is turned outside down when he finds out his biological son was switched with another child at birth that he has been raising. When he faces the reality, he must make the decision to choose between his true son or the boy he raised as his own. You can expect powerful performance in this touching family drama.
More Japanese Movies?
Enjoy Japanese Movies!
We hope you enjoy this movie list we put together. You can watch some of the trailers on Youtube or find them on Amazon or your local library. Don’t want to miss a recipe?
I saw a Grave of the Fireflies this weekend. It is a moving story that illustrates the difficulties encountered during war. It was heartbreaking. Sweet Bean is also excellent!
Thank you for this list of movies!
Hi Sharon! I watched that film on TV as a kid and it became traumatic and I remember I had nightmare few times. The older brother’s care and love to her sister… it’s heartbreaking every time I watch it. It’s sad to see innocent children are suffering in the world… 🙁
I watched this movie with my Mom and we were a hot mess! I loved it and it broke my heart into a million pieces….it makes me cry every.time. Thank you for your recommendations!
I have yet to see Sweet Bean but now I really must! As for Grave of The Fireflies, it was so upsetting I had difficulty sleeping the next couple of nights. 🙁
Hi Damie! Yeah as a kid, the images in the movie was too shocking. Japanese don’t really have “rating” so it was showing on a regular TV…
Thank you very much indeed for this list, Nami! Shall certainly keep an eye out for these films. I think I would especially like to see the one called Sweet Bean — I love ‘slice of life’ stories. Kamome Shokudo and Like Father, Like Son also look very good.
I know Studio Ghibli well ( you are so right — definitely keep tissues at hand if watching Grave of the Fireflies). Such beautiful animated films! 🙂
May I be bold and make my own film recommendation? Have you seen Departures? Beautifully directed film, very touching story.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth in Canada
p.s. Have just now heard the weather forecast for your part of California. I hope you are well away from the risk of floods, Nami. Stay dry and safe!
Hi Elizabeth! You’ll love Sweet Bean. The actors are very good too. Kamome Shokudo is slow, but food wise, it was inspiring to me as a food blogger as it introduces home cooed Japanese food! My all time favorite is Castle in the Sky (and I started to eat egg on toast from that movie when I was small). Studio Ghibli is great, and my kids love them. My recent favorite is The Secret World of Arrietty. I love miniature stuff, so that was a lovely film!
Yes, I’d love everyone’s recommendation! I’ve seen Departures too! Mokkun (Masahiro Motoki) was my crush when I was younger… LOL!!!
Thank you for your sweet thoughts. My house is on the hill, so we get crazy wind problem than floods. It was so windy that a lot of cherry blossom branches broke… 🙁
My three favorites: Thermai Romae, Tales of Samarai Cooking: A True Love Story, and Departures.
Hi Lydia! I’ve seen Departures, but haven’t seen the first two. The Samurai Cooking one sounds interesting. I will have so many movies to catch up this summer when I go back. 🙂
Beautiful titles! I also love “The Love Letter”.
Hi Diana! The Love Letter” is the drama with Miho Nakayama? Wahhh it’s been a while! I kind of forgot the story. LOL. Good to go back and watch again. 🙂
Thank you for the recommendations. I’ve got a few, heard of a few more before and there are even movies that are completely new to me that I’d like to hunt down and see.
I have enjoyed Jiro Dreams of Sushi, The Wind Rises and of course most of Kurusawa’s films. I do enjoy mystery, suspense and thrillers and one of my favorite contemporary filmakers is Takashi Miike. Another fun movie is the Cats of Mirikatani, a really pretty movie. Enjoy!
Hi Julie! I’ve never heard of Cats of Mirikatani. I’ll check it out. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Great choices! Started saying “kopi luwak” while making coffee after seeing Kamome Diner.
Kabei – Our Mother, and the Always – Sunset on Third St. trilogy were good.
Hi Ralph! Thank you! Hahahaha! You’re funny. It was a cute scene when she started saying that. LOL I haven’t seen Kabei. My dad loves Yoshinaga Sayuri. I should check it out this movie! And first time hearing Always – Sunset on Third Street. Thank you for your suggestion!
Ah I had read Sunset on Third street Manga series (Indonesian Translation) I love it so much that I reread them so many times. So touching. I didn’t know that there was a film version of it. Thankyou for sharing.
I really should check that out! Thank you Neneng!
Hi Nami! Thank you so much for doing this post!! My family loves Japanese dramas and movies. We watch them on free drama websites with English subtitles and connect our laptop to our TV. Below are some of our favorite movies. Our drama list is even longer????. Maybe one day we can share about our favorite dramas? Hint! Hint! ???? I’m really looking forward to reading what others share as well. Thanks again, Nami! Hope you enjoy your day ????????????!
– Wood Job! The Easy Life in Kamusari 2014
-Ore Monogatari! (My Love Story) 2015
-Silver Spoon 2014
-Orange 2015
-Departures 2008
-Rurouni Kenshin 2012
-Eien no Zero (The Eternal Zero) 2013, not the 2015 version
-Door to Door 2008
Hi Amy! From the English title, I can only recognize Departures from your list. I have to google them and check them out. Thank you for sharing your favorites!!
Thanks so much for this great list, Nami! It has some of my favorites and also some I haven’t seen before — I can’t wait to watch them! 😀
Hi Anne! You’re very welcome. Hope you enjoy watching them. 🙂
Oh boy! I just love Japanese movies and two of these I haven’t seen yet! I will be so excited to watch them! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Sincerely Grateful,
Casey Haven
Thank you for your kind comment, Casey! Hope you enjoy the 2 movies you haven’t seen. 🙂
Thanks for introducing your picks, especially with the food-related features. I had heard of “Sweet Bean” but missed its showing at the local theatre. As you mentioned, the slow pace of “Little Forest” and how it emphasizes the use of natural and foraged ingredients is quite unique and fun. I also loved the performances in “Like Father, Like Son”—that movie made me cry so much, in a good way!
Hi Kimmi! Thank you for your feedback! You will cry so much from Sweet Bean too… be ready. But it’s a great movie and I ate so many Dorayaki afterwards. LOL.
I have seen most of the classic films you listed and almost all of the food-based films. I am going to hunt for Kamome Diner.
I have two recommendations for you : one is a Netflix series called Tokyo Diner. It is similar in theme to Kamome diner. I think you will enjoy it very much as I did before I went to Japan last fall. The other film I could watch again and again is called Twilight Samurai. I do not know the name of it in Japanese but it is a film by Yoji Yamada and stars Hiroyuki Sanada. this film is so well acted and so beautifully done that I bought the DVD.
I enjoy your blog. Please keep it coming.
Hi Mary! Kamome Diner is a very slow movie that put Mr. JOC half asleep. But I loved it. If I ever opened a restaurant (which will not happen), I’d definitely offer same style of Japanese recipes (not just sushi and typical menus in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan). All the food did make me hungry! 🙂
Maybe you’ve missed it, but I’ve started to share recipes from Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories. Mr. JOC and I watched Season 1 on Netflix and we thought it’s good idea to cover all the recipes. So far I’ve shared one (Egg Tofu I shared last week) and finished producing 6 recipes so far that will come soon.
I have never seen Twilight Samurai. Thank you for your recommendation. I look forward to it!
We will try to find these movies since we both enjoy watching Japanese movies..as long as they have subtitles :). We watched Midnight Diner:Tokyo Stories in one night this past weekend on Netflix because of your Egg Tofu recipe(thank you). Now, we just have to make it. Looking forward to your recipes from this series..and we hope they make more seasons.
Hi Sandra! Yeah all these movies on the list have subtitles. Otherwise I have more movies I want to recommend… 🙂
Glad to hear you liked the Midnight Diner. I am looking forward to sharing the recipes. It’s been fun re-creating the recipes!
I can recommend:
The Birth of Sake. It’s a documentary that follows the crew of the Yoshida Brewery in Ishikawa. Highly fascinating!
From Up On Poppy Hill. Anime by Ghibli (but directed by Goro instead of Hayao). Follows the story of a group of high school students attempting to save a historic building on their campus in 1963 Yokohama. Awesome soundtrack too.
Hi Tim! Oh, Mr. JOC will enjoy “The Birth of Sake”! Thank you for your recommendation. Yes, we saw Up on Poppy Hill with the kids at home last year, but I have to admit I was half asleep on the sofa (not because of bad movie or anything). I remember some scenes but I can’t even remember soundtrack. I’ll have to watch it again! Thanks for sharing!
Where can we find films like Little Forest to buy or stream?
Hi Michael! I looked online, and it’s available for streaming but not on a legal site. Sorry I won’t be able to share here. I also recommend this one, which is available for streaming on Amazon etc: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/our_little_sister
Check YouTube. 🙂
I only miss the Number 2, 10, 11… I am surprise I watched almost all the popular Japanese movies !
Hi Vivian! Tampopo is a REALLY strange movie, but it’s popular among non-Japanese people for some reason. I was recommended by many JOC readers to check out so I watched it. Most of the part was okay, except for some scene… really, really weird!
Hi Nami San,
Love your blog, stories, helpful hints and recipes !
Just wanted to let you know the movie “The Ramen Girl” from 2008 starring Brittany Murphy is one of my all time favorite Rom-Com Japanese movies !
Have a great day !
Hi Beverly! Thank you so much for your kind words! Thanks for sharing the movie with us! I watched this movie too! 🙂
Nami san,
I don’t know if anyone else has suggested it but have you seen a long goodbye… Nagai owakare? Love the movie!
Thank you so much for your recipes. Reminds me of my mom and grandma’s cooking!
Hi Becky! Thank you for your suggestion! I’ll check it out! I’m so glad to hear you enjoy my recipes. Mom and grandma’s cooking is the best, and you remember the taste so you can adjust my recipes to their taste. 🙂