Planning your next trip to Japan? Wish you were in Tokyo right now? These five iconic Japanese films let you stay home and enjoy Japan from afar!

Sometimes it feels like more and more foreign visitors are arriving in Japan every day, but that doesn’t mean we can all take a week (or 3) off to explore the land of the rising sun whenever we feel like it. Sometimes, we have to make do with anime, manga, music, and of course movies, to tide us over while we plan for our next trip around Japan. Fortunately, as we dream of riding the subways of Tokyo and venturing into the Japanese countryside for a relaxing ryokan retreat, there’s no better time to 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: Amazon Prime, The Criterion Channel, HBO Max

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, although Ghibli would be releasing much of its catalogue on Netflix, they were not making it available in several English-speaking countries, or Japan itself. Fortunately, there are some lovely alternatives for anyone who appreciates beautiful animation! 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: Amazon Prime

③ Shoplifters (2018) | 万引き家族

This instant classic is a heartwarming story of family, with a heart-wrenching 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: Netflix, Amazon Prime

④ A Silent Voice (2016) | 声の形

This anime film focuses on the school life of the popular student Shouya Ishida, but when Shouya begins to bully his deaf classmate Shouko Nishimiya, the story takes a turn. The end result is a deep and thoughtful movie about high school life and being a teenager in Japan, as Shouya struggles to make up for his past mistakes.

Available for streaming on: Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll

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 in recent decades, Battle Royale has become a cult favorite all over the world. If you haven’t seen it yet, hop on the bandwagon and check out this classic film’s combination of gruesome violence and emotional 9th-grade relationships.

Available for streaming on: Hoopla, Kanopy, Amazon Prime, Tubi, & the CW

Which will you watch first?

Ready to enjoy Japan from afar? Got any Japanese movie favorites that are available online right now, but aren’t on this list? Let us know on Japankuru’s Twitter (X), Instagram, and Facebook!

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