{"id":12207,"date":"2020-04-03T08:47:02","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T06:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=12207"},"modified":"2022-06-15T09:45:46","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T07:45:46","slug":"movies-to-watch-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/movies-to-watch-japan","title":{"rendered":"15 best movies to watch before traveling to Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There are plenty of <strong>Hollywood movies based on Japanese culture<\/strong> you could watch before traveling to Japan, such as Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Samurai, or the remake of J-horror Ringu.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are a number of other <strong>Japanese films and Japan-set movies <\/strong>that can give you a much better view of both modern life in Japan and its history, and current Japanese pop culture.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for some cinematic inspiration when planning a trip, browse the list below for some of <strong>the best Japanese films ever made <\/strong>and where to watch them.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/japanese-tv-shows\">Best Japanese TV shows to watch before visiting Japan<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Akira_1988\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> Akira (1988)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Battle_Royale_2000\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Battle Royale (2000)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Departures_2008\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Departures (2008)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Godzilla_1954\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Godzilla (1954)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_Happiness_of_the_Katakuris_2001\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Hiroshima_Mon_Amour_1959\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">6<\/span> Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#House_1977\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">7<\/span> House (1977)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Jiro_Dreams_of_Sushi_2011\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">8<\/span> Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Lost_in_Translation_2003\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">9<\/span> Lost in Translation (2003)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#My_Neighbor_Totoro_1988\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">10<\/span> My Neighbor Totoro (1988)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Seven_Samurai_1954\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">11<\/span> Seven Samurai (1954)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tokyo_Idols_2017\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">12<\/span> Tokyo Idols (2017)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tokyo_Story_1953\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">13<\/span> Tokyo Story (1953)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tampopo_1985\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">14<\/span> Tampopo (1985)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Your_Name_2016\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">15<\/span> Your Name (2016)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Akira_1988\">Akira (1988)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12213\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12213\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12213\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/akira-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Akira (1988)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/akira-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/akira-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/akira-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12213\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Akira (1988), Katsuhiro \u014ctomo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Regarded worldwide by as <strong>one of the <\/strong><strong>best animated and science fiction movies<\/strong> ever made, <em>Akira<\/em> is a landmark Japanese anime film.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk story<\/strong> follows the young leader of a biker gang in a visually stunning future Tokyo, as he tries to save a friend who has acquired destructive telekinetic abilities.<\/p>\n<p>Boasting a huge cult following around the world, <em>Akira<\/em> has gone on to influence numerous other films including <em>Ghost in the Shell<\/em> (1995), <em>The Matrix<\/em> (1999), and <em>Inception<\/em> (2010).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0094625\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDB<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/akira\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch (US)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nA8KmHC2Z-g\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Battle_Royale_2000\">Battle Royale (2000)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12218\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12218\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/battle-royale-movie.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/battle-royale-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/battle-royale-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/battle-royale-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Battle Royale (2000), Kinji Fukasaku, Kenta Fukasaku<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although it stirred huge controversy upon release, <em>Battle Royale<\/em> has since become regarded as <strong>one of the best Japanese films of the 2000s<\/strong>, and is one of director Quentin Tarantino\u2019s favorite movies.<\/p>\n<p>Based on the novel by Koushun Takami, this <strong>dystopian<\/strong> <strong>thriller<\/strong> sees a group of Japanese students taken to a remote island and forced to fight each other by a totalitarian government.<\/p>\n<p>The bleak tone and bloody action is not for everyone, but <em>Battle Royale<\/em> also features some <strong>fascinating social commentary<\/strong> and great Japanese actors in key roles.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0266308\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDB<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/battle-royale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch (US)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=N0p1t-dC7Ko\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Departures_2008\">Departures (2008)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12223\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12223\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/departures-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Departures (2008), Y\u014djir\u014d Takita\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/departures-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/departures-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/departures-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Departures (2008), Y\u014djir\u014d Takita<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This Japanese drama tells <strong>the story of a young cellist who returns to his hometown<\/strong> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/yamagata-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Yamagata<\/a> prefecture after his orchestra is disbanded, and unexpectedly falls into working as a n\u014dkanshi\u2014a traditional ritual mortician.<\/p>\n<p>However, because of Japanese social taboos against people who deal with death, <strong>he faces prejudice<\/strong> <strong>from the community<\/strong>, including his own family.<\/p>\n<p><em>Departures<\/em> has been widely acclaimed for the moving way it shows how death can bring out humanity and strengthen family bonds. It\u2019s also <strong>a real-tear jerker,<\/strong> so make sure you have some tissues handy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1069238\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDB<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/departures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch (US)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RXTP_wRSHQw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Godzilla_1954\">Godzilla (1954)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12228\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12228\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12228\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/godzilla-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Godzilla (1954)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/godzilla-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/godzilla-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/godzilla-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12228\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Godzilla (1954), Ishiro Honda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>A classic Japanese monster movie<\/strong> that needs little introduction, <em>Godzilla<\/em> is the first entry in the franchise recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest running in film history.<\/p>\n<p>Intended to be<strong> a parable about nuclear paranoia<\/strong>, many Japanese critics initially thought that Godzilla could not be taken seriously because \u201csuch giant monsters do not exist\u201d and that the idea of a fire breathing organism was absurd.<\/p>\n<p>However, <em>Godzilla<\/em> is now considered to be<strong> one of the most iconic monster films <\/strong>of all time, and has spawned an endless list of sequels, spin-offs, and remakes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0047034\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDB<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/godzilla-1954\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch (US)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KNmk4uTZ6vI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Happiness_of_the_Katakuris_2001\">The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12233\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12233\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12233\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/katakuris-movie.jpg\" alt=\"The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/katakuris-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/katakuris-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/katakuris-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12233\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001), Takashi Miike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An almost indescribable<strong> Japanese horror\/comedy\/musical<\/strong>, <em>Happiness of the Katakuris<\/em> starts with a bizarre animation sequence and only gets weirder from there.<\/p>\n<p>The story concerns a Japanese family who renovate an old inn in the hills near <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/climbing-mount-fuji\">Mount Fuji<\/a>. However, one by one their new <strong>guests end up dead for inexplicable reasons<\/strong>, leading the Katakuris to cover up the crisis to keep their new business open.<\/p>\n<p>If that sounds dark, rest assured that the determined family break out in a chipper clean-up song soon after the first body hits the floor. <strong>Cheerful tunes mix with reanimated zombies<\/strong>, strange dream scenes, and exploding volcanoes for the rest of the film.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Director Takashi Miike<\/strong> also made the celebrated Japanese horror film <em>Audition<\/em> (1999), but you definitely need strong nerves if you plan to watch!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0304262\/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/the-happiness-of-the-katakuris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BC5GEKVoTXE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Hiroshima_Mon_Amour_1959\">Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12238\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12238\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/hirishima-mon-amour-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/hirishima-mon-amour-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/hirishima-mon-amour-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/hirishima-mon-amour-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), Alain Resnais<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Directed by French New Wave filmmaker Alain Resnais and written by acclaimed novelist Marguerite Duras, <em>Hiroshima mon amour<\/em> is considered one of the best films made <strong>about the aftermath of the atomic bombing<\/strong> of Hiroshima.<\/p>\n<p>Resnais was originally commissioned to make a short documentary about the event, but ending up crafting a feature story depicting <strong>an intense relationship between a Japanese man and French woman<\/strong> with post-war <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hiroshima-travel-guide\">Hiroshima<\/a> as a backdrop.<\/p>\n<p>As it includes real footage of the ruined city and the victims, the film is a sometimes difficult watch, but is <strong>an important story about memory<\/strong> and forgetfulness well-told.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0052893\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/hiroshima-mon-amour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GSzrv04coq0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"House_1977\">House (1977)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12243\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12243\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/house-movie.jpg\" alt=\"House (1977)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/house-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/house-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/house-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">House (1977), Nobuhiko Obayashi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Much like <em>Happiness of the Katakuris<\/em>, <em>House<\/em> (Hausu) is<strong> an outrageous Japanese horror comedy<\/strong> that has gained a large cult following.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Compared to <em>The Rocky Horror Picture Show<\/em><\/strong> mixed with Dario Argento\u2019s <em>Suspiria<\/em>, the loose plot concerns a group of girls who travel to the rural home of a sinister aunt, only to encounter a series of bizarre events.<\/p>\n<p>Gorgeously shot in psychedelic colors, the surreal parade of <strong>singing cats, possessed paintings, and flying disembodied heads <\/strong>may not scare you all that much but it will definitely leave you laughing and scratching your head.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0076162\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/house-1977\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=R6BMehj59co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Jiro_Dreams_of_Sushi_2011\">Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12248\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12248\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/jiro-dreams-of-sushi-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/jiro-dreams-of-sushi-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/jiro-dreams-of-sushi-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/jiro-dreams-of-sushi-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011), David Gelb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An <strong>uplifting documentary about the power of perseverance<\/strong>, <em>Jiro Dreams of Sushi <\/em>tells the story of Jiro Ono, an 85-year old Tokyo resident considered by many to be the world\u2019s greatest sushi chef.<\/p>\n<p>In 1965, Ono opened Sukiyabashi Jiro, a humble 10-seat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/restaurants-in-japanese-train-stations\">restaurant in a Tokyo subway station<\/a>. Over 50 years later, the famous <strong>sushi bar attracts foodies from all over the globe<\/strong>, who must book a table months in advance, and has earned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/michelin-star-restaurants-japan\">3 Michelin Stars<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The film is <strong>an engaging profile of Jiro and his family<\/strong>, and also features a score from Oscar-nominated composer Philip Glass.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1772925\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/jiro-dreams-of-sushi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=k9j2VUuSMwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Lost_in_Translation_2003\">Lost in Translation (2003)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12253\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12253\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12253\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/lost-in-translation-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Lost in Translation (2003)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/lost-in-translation-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/lost-in-translation-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/lost-in-translation-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12253\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lost in Translation (2003), Sofia Coppola<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Considered to be <strong>one of the best films about Japan<\/strong> made by a foreign director, Sofia Coppola\u2019s <em>Lost in Translation<\/em> took home a slew of trophies at the 2004 Oscars, and for good reason.<\/p>\n<p>This <strong>modern classic set in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/cities\/tokyo-travel-guide\">Tokyo<\/a><\/strong> follows Bob, an ageing actor, and Charlotte, a lonely young woman, as they form an unexpected connection while exploring the Japanese capital.<\/p>\n<p>Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson give impressive performances and <strong>Tokyo looks incredible in the film<\/strong>, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/shibuya-station\">Shibuya<\/a> Crossing and the chic bar in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/shinjuku-station\">Shinjuku<\/a> where the characters bond.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0335266\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/lost-in-translation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Qf0JD0gBDMc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"My_Neighbor_Totoro_1988\">My Neighbor Totoro (1988)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12258\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12258\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12258\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/totoro-movie.jpg\" alt=\"My Neighbor Totoro (1988)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/totoro-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/totoro-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/totoro-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12258\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Hayao Miyazaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a movie to get kids hyped about an upcoming trip to Japan, then try <em>My Neighbor Totoro<\/em>. <strong>The title character, Totoro, has become a cultural icon<\/strong> in Japan, and omnipresent on merchandise in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The film tells the story of two little girls who meet the adorable monster against a <strong>gorgeously animated Japanese countryside<\/strong>, and go on a wild adventure on the magical Catbus.<\/p>\n<p>The same animation studio was also responsible for the Oscar-winning <em>Spirited Away<\/em> (2001), and <strong>while visiting Japan<\/strong> you can see some of their amazing creations at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/studio-ghibli-museum\">Studio Ghibli museum <\/a>in Mikata.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0096283\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/my-neighbor-totoro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=92a7Hj0ijLs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Seven_Samurai_1954\">Seven Samurai (1954)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12263\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12263\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12263\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/seven-samurai-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Seven Samurai (1954)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/seven-samurai-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/seven-samurai-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/seven-samurai-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12263\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seven Samurai (1954), Akira Kurosawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Directed by legendary director Akira Kurosawa, this absolute <strong>classic of Japanese cinema <\/strong>explores a samurai conflict during the Sengoku period in Japan.<\/p>\n<p>Shot on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/izu-peninsula-with-izu-craile-train\">Izu Peninsula<\/a> and taking place in 1586, the epic drama <strong>tells the story of a farming village that hires 7 r\u014dnin samurai<\/strong> to fight off marauding bandits.<\/p>\n<p><em>Seven Samurai<\/em> is <strong>often included on lists of the greatest films <\/strong>ever made, and has been credited with heavily influencing the plots of movies like <em>The Magnificent Seven<\/em> (1960), <em>Star Wars<\/em> (1977) and even Pixar\u2019s <em>A Bug\u2019s Life<\/em> (1998).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0047478\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/seven-samurai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z1q_UjzM3cI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Tokyo_Idols_2017\">Tokyo Idols (2017)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12268\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12268\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12268\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-idol-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Tokyo Idols (2017)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-idol-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-idol-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-idol-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12268\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo Idols (2017), Kyoko Miyake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the most recent films on this list, <em>Tokyo Idols<\/em> <strong>explores the cultural phenomenon around Japanese \u201cidols\u201d<\/strong>, female J-pop singers.<\/p>\n<p>Described as a \u201cpop culture profile\u201d, the documentary <strong>focuses on RioRio, a young singer in Tokyo<\/strong> as she tries to maintain her status and deal with loyal, and sometimes, obsessive fans.<\/p>\n<p>Since debuting at the Sundance Film Festival, <em>Tokyo Idols<\/em> has gone on to be praised for\u00a0 providing <strong>insight into Japanese music culture<\/strong> among younger generations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0047478\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/tokyo-idols\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5lnBd-Gk9Dk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Tokyo_Story_1953\">Tokyo Story (1953)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12273\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12273\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12273\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-story-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Tokyo Story (1953)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-story-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-story-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tokyo-story-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12273\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo Story (1953), Yasujir\u014d Ozu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although it only partly takes place in the Japanese capital &#8211; the characters also travel to Onomichi, Atami, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/osaka\">Osaka<\/a> &#8211; this acclaimed film <strong>captures a vibrant snapshot of Tokyo<\/strong> in the 1950s.<\/p>\n<p><em>To<\/em><em>k<\/em><em>yo Story<\/em> is a classic drama which <strong>follows an ageing couple who travel to the capital <\/strong>to visit their grown children, but find that they may no longer fit into their busy kids\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n<p>Often cited by critics as <strong>one of the greatest Japanese films<\/strong> ever made, <em>Tokyo Story<\/em> is also widely regarded as influential director Yasujir\u014d Ozu&#8217;s masterpiece.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0046438\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/tokyo-story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5zEKw4VQIeY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Tampopo_1985\">Tampopo (1985)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12278\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12278\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12278\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tampopo-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Tampopo (1985)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tampopo-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tampopo-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tampopo-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12278\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tampopo (1985), J\u016bz\u014d Itami<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Described as a Japanese \u2018ramen western\u2019, <em>Tampopo<\/em> is <strong>a satirical Japanese comedy <\/strong>about a truck driver who decides to stick around a roadside ramen noodle shop to help the owner improve her recipes.<\/p>\n<p>The film was so<strong> influential in Japan<\/strong> that you can still find a large number of ramen shops in the country named Tampopo, after the female protagonist.<\/p>\n<p><em>Tampopo<\/em> expertly <strong>expresses the importance of food in Japanese culture<\/strong> in a comedic way, and will definitely leave you hungry for a bowl of noodles by the end.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0092048\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/tampopo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LURg2doYGjo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Your_Name_2016\">Your Name (2016)<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12283\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12283\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12283\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/your-name-movie.jpg\" alt=\"Your Name (2016)\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/your-name-movie.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/your-name-movie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/your-name-movie-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12283\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Your Name (2016), Makoto Shinkai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although a live-action remake of <em>Your Name<\/em> set in the United States is already in production, fans of <strong>Japanese anime<\/strong> will definitely want to see the original first.<\/p>\n<p><strong>An <\/strong><strong>animated<\/strong> <strong>romantic<\/strong> <strong>fantasy<\/strong>, <em>Your Name<\/em> is the story of two Japanese high-schoolers, Mitsuha and Taki, who inexplicably start to swap bodies.<\/p>\n<p>A huge commercial success in Japan, the film was <strong>praised for both its animation and emotional story<\/strong>, and Shinkai had another hit wih <em>Weathering with You<\/em>, released in 2019.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt5311514\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IMDb<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justwatch.com\/us\/movie\/your-name\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JustWatch<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qjZoWyGylMU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trailer (YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are plenty of Hollywood movies based on Japanese culture you could watch before traveling to Japan, such as Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Samurai, or the remake of J-horror Ringu. However, there are a number of other Japanese films and Japan-set movies that can give you a much better view of both modern life in Japan and its history, and current Japanese pop culture. If you\u2019re looking for some cinematic inspiration when planning a trip, browse the list below for some of the best Japanese films ever made and where to watch them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[92],"tags":[],"acf":{"bread_1":false,"bread_2":false,"bread_3":false,"bread_4":false,"bread_5":false,"bread_6":false,"bread_7":false,"bread_last":false,"custom_guide":"","pageresume":"Japanese films and Japan-set movies that can give you a much better view of both modern life in Japan and its history, and current Japanese pop culture.","shortcodes":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>15 Best Movies to Watch Before Traveling to Japan | JRailPass<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the best films you should watch before 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