CONTENTS
Stuck keeping safe from coronavirus, but wish you could travel to Japan instead? It’s the perfect time to stay home and enjoy Japan from afar!
As the coronavirus situation in Japan (and all over the world) refuses to improve, Prime Minister Abe has announced that Tokyo is going into lockdown, and we're all staying home to avoid increasing COVID-19 cases. It's best for everyone… but it's also a little boring! Which is why we're all turning to streaming services across the internet in hordes. And as we dream of riding the subways of Tokyo without worry, and venturing into the Japanese countryside for a relaxing ryokan retreat, there's no better time to just hop on the internet and watch some great Japanese content! So here are some of our favorite Japanese movies available to stream right now (in no particular order).
(PS: For any US residents reading this, did you know that your local public library probably provides free access to a video streaming service or two!? Sites like Hoopla and Kanopy frequently partner with public libraries, which means that any library member can watch some of their content for free! Check it out!)
① Tampopo (1985)
タンポポ
Do you dream of the perfect bowl of ramen? (Stuck at home with cup noodles instead?) Well, so does the main character from this slightly artsy, slightly bizarre 80's movie from director Juzo Itami. The central plot of the movie surrounds Tampopo, owner of a lackluster roadside ramen shop, and her quest to improve the shop with the help of two brothers, Goro and Gun. Part of the charm of this movie, though, is the many subplots and short vignettes that weave in and around the main characters. Check it out for views of 80's Japan, and food that will make your mouth water.
Available for streaming on: Kanopy, The Criterion Channel
② Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
メアリと魔女の花
Many of us were disappointed when we heard that Ghibli would be releasing much of its catalogue on Netflix… but not in several English-speaking countries, or Japan itself. Fortunately, there are some lovely alternatives! Mary and the Witch's Flower is a charming story of Mary and her magic-filled adventures, strongly resembling a Ghibli movie in both style and mood. That's probably because it was made by former Studio Ghibli directors and producers! Now we're looking forward to seeing what else the artists at Studio Ponoc come out with in the future.
Available for streaming on: Netflix
③ Shoplifters (2018)
万引き家族
This instant classic is a heartwarming story of family, with a heartwrenching ending. Far from the wacky Japan often found in films, Shoplifters is a beautiful vision of the harsh realities of everyday life in Japan.
Available for streaming on: Hulu, Hoopla
④ A Silent Voice (2016)
声の形
While this anime film focuses on the school life of the initially popular elementary school student Shouya Ishida, when Shouya begins to bully deaf classmate Shouko Nishimiya, the story takes a turn. The end result is a deep and thoughtful movie about high school students in Japan, and Shouya's struggles to make up for his past mistakes.
Available for streaming on: Netflix
⑤ Battle Royale (2000)
バトル・ロワイアル
Surprisingly bloody, and an inspiration for battle royale-themed media of all kinds over the past two decades, Battle Royale has been a cult favorite all over the world. If you haven't seen it yet, hop on the bandwaggon and check out this classic film's combination of gruesome violence and emotional 9th-grade relationships.
Available for streaming on: Hoopla, (Vudu & Tubi with ads)
Which will you watch first?
Ready to enjoy Japan from afar this spring? Got any Japanese movie favorites that are available online right now, but aren't on this list? Let us know on the Japankuru twitter, instagram, and facebook!
Details
NAME:Japanese Movies
Half a lifetime ago I came to Japan for a semester abroad... and I never left. I guess I really like the place! I spent my first few years in Japan living in the middle of nowhere, so I'd love to hear your Tokyo recommendations via Japan's social media accounts!
COMMENT
FEATURED MEDIA
VIEW MOREA Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025 *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change. Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00) *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details. Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station #japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination
Tokyo Shopping Spot Recommendation: New Balance Kichijoji #newbalance #newbalancekichijoji #newbalancejapan #japanesesneakerheads #shoppinginjapan #japantrip #도쿄여행 #도쿄쇼핑 #뉴발란스 #일본한정 #일본패션 #日本購物 #日本買衣服 #NB #日本時尚 #東京購物 #รองเท้าnewbalance #นิวบาลานซ์ #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #คิจิโจจิ #japankuru
See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses #japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium
The First Japanese Converse Flagship: CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU #japankkuru #conversejp_pr #conversejapan #harajuku #tokyotrip #converse #tokyoshopping #匡威 #帆布鞋 #東京購物 #原宿 #日本時尚 #일본쇼핑 #일본컨버스 #일본한정 #하라주쿠 #일본패션 #일본스트릿 #รองเท้าconverse #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #ฮาราจูกุ #คอนเวิร์ส
Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup #pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics
⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon! 🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중 💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~ #tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta
Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon! 用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️ 코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기 #pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon
Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄