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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!
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NAME:Japanese Movies
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Half a lifetime ago I came to Japan for a semester abroad... and I never left. I guess I really like the place! I'd love to hear all your favorite things and recommendations in Tokyo via the @Japankuru instagram or twitter (X).
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VIEW MOREWhich snacks make the best Japanese souvenirs?~ Jaga Pirika ~ 일본과자 선물 뭐하지?~자가피리카 편~ #pr #calbee #jagapokkuru #japanesesnacks #japanesefood #japanesesouvenir #japantravel #japantrip #naritaairport #hokkaido #나리타국제공항 #일본여행선물 #흔하지않은기념품 #일본쇼핑리스트 #일본과자추천 #고구마과자 #일본간식추천 #일본면세점쇼핑 #개별포장 #일본감자칩 #도쿄나리타공항면세점 #현지인추천 #일본여행 #일본기념품리스트 #자가포쿠루 #자가피리카
Asakusa's Sanja Matsuri, one of the biggest festivals in all of Tokyo, is almost here! Make sure you check out the festival route so you don't miss all the festivities this May. #asakusa #sanjafestival #sanjamatsuri #asakusashrine #sensoji #sensojitemple #japanesefestival #shintoshrine #japaneseculture #tokyo #tokyotrip #tokyotravel #asakusasightseeing #matsuri #japantrip #japantravel #springinjapan #tokyotravel #japankuru #산자마츠리 #아사쿠사 #일본마츠리 #일본여행 #일본5월
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
Evangelion, in miniature!? Tokyo's SMALL WORLDS Miniature Museum is actually a must-see for anime lovers, thanks to the tiny Evangelion Hangar and Tokyo-III... plus a whole universe of other scenes both real and fictional. #smallworlds #smallworldstokyo #tokyotrip #tokyotravel #evangelion #eva #anime #miniature #miniatures #animefigure #japantrip #japantravel #에반게리온 #스몰월드 #에반겔리온 #スモールワールズ #오다이바 #아리아케
Have you sat down for a snack at Sumida Aquarium yet? This aquarium next to Tokyo Skytree is known for its penguins and garden eels, but we can't get enough of their cute snacks! There are lots of good seats around the aquarium, too, so it almost feels like one big cafe. 🐧 • Find out more at Japankuru.com! (Link in bio.) • #japankuru #sumidaaquarium #skytree #tokyoskytree #solamachi #sumida #tokyo #tokyotrip #tokyotravel #aquarium #japanesesweets #themecafe #すみだ水族館 #Japan #日本 #일본 #Japon #ญี่ปุ่น #Japão #япония #japantravel #日本旅行 #日本旅遊 #japan_of_insta #japantrip #traveljapan #japan🇯🇵 #igerstokyo #explorejapan
For anime fans, the Evangelion areas at Small Worlds Miniature Museum are a must see! The tiny miniature people in the Evangelion Hangar look like ants beneath the moving Unit-01, Unit-00, and Unit-02! And over in Tokyo-III, characters like Shinji, Rei, and Katsuragi live life on a miniature scale. #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #ariake #smallworlds #miniaturemuseum #smallworldstokyo #tokyotravel #evangelion #eva #anime #miniature #miniatures #animefigure #japankuru #스몰월드 #에반게리온 #오다이바 #오다이바관광 #오다이바스몰월드 #미니어쳐