Exploring films about Japan that will help you learn more about Japanese culture is a captivating way to immerse yourself in the country’s rich traditions and contemporary life. These films offer a unique window into Japan’s history, societal norms, and artistic expressions, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding this fascinating culture. From heartwarming dramas and historical epics to modern-day tales and animated masterpieces, each film captures different aspects of Japanese life and values.
Whether you’re curious about traditional tea ceremonies, the serene beauty of Japanese gardens, or the bustling energy of Tokyo, these films offer a visual and emotional journey through Japan’s diverse cultural landscape. Watching films about Japan is not only entertaining but also educational, helping you appreciate the nuances and depth of Japanese culture.
The Garden Of Words (2013)
Anime is a type of cartoon from Japan. Some anime can be silly, fantasy-like, or even a bit too grown-up. But there’s also anime that’s really interesting and different. For example, there’s a company called Studio Ghibli that makes great anime. But you might have already heard about them.
If you’re looking for something new, try watching “The Garden of Words” (2013). It’s a love story that’s only 50 minutes long. It’s made by a guy named Makoto Shinkai.
The story is about a high school boy who meets an older woman in a park in Tokyo. This meeting changes both of their lives. The story is quiet and thoughtful. It shows how anime can tell serious and interesting stories. Plus, the animation is really beautiful.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
In the late 1990s, a scary movie from Japan called “The Ring” became really popular all over the world. But even before that, there was another Japanese horror movie that people outside of Japan liked. It was called “Tetsuo: The Iron Man” and it came out in 1989.
This movie looks at how two big topics in Japan – sexuality and technology – might mix together in a scary way. It’s a mix of different styles, including arthouse, cyberpunk, and a type of horror that focuses on the body, like the movies by David Cronenberg.
The main character in the movie is a regular office worker. But then he has a really, really bad day. This character is very typical of Japan. But be warned, this movie is not something you’d want to watch with your family. It’s pretty intense!
The Hidden Fortress (1958)
Picking just one movie by Akira Kurosawa, a famous Japanese filmmaker, is really hard. But if you had to choose one, “The Hidden Fortress” (1958) would be a great pick.
This movie tells the story of a princess who has been forced to leave her country. She has to defeat a very angry warrior to get her country back. The movie is a perfect mix of drama and action, and it really shows off Kurosawa’s amazing skills as a filmmaker. It also features Toshiro Mifune, who is one of the best actors Japan has ever had. All of this makes “The Hidden Fortress” one of the best Japanese movies ever made.
Jiro Dreams Of Sushi (2011)
In Japan, people love food and they work really hard. There’s a movie called “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” (2011) that shows this. It’s about a man named Jiro Ono who is really good at both cooking and working hard. When the movie was made, Jiro was 85 years old. He owns a small sushi restaurant in a subway station. It only has 10 seats and a meal there costs about £250.
Jiro is very serious about making the best food he can. Sometimes, this can seem a bit strange. For example, people learning to cook from him have to spend ten years just making rice before they can touch a piece of fish. But in the end, the movie is as good as the food Jiro makes.
Tampopo (1985)
Here’s a great movie about food and it’s also one of the funniest Japanese movies. It’s about two truck drivers who help a single mom become the best ramen chef in Tokyo. The movie was directed by Juzo Itami. He passed away suddenly in 1997, but his unique sense of humor can be seen in this movie. It’s a really interesting look at how cooking and eating are part of our everyday lives.
The movie is called “Tampopo” (1985). It’s a really sweet and exciting film. But it does have some scenes that are only for grown-ups. This movie shows how talented Itami was. It’s also one of the funniest movies about life in Japan that you’ll ever see.
Tokyo Story (1953)
Japan is known as a very polite and well-mannered country. But underneath that, there’s a lot of loneliness. This is shown in a famous movie called “Tokyo Story” (1953) by director Yasujiro Ono. The movie tells the story of an old couple who visit their children in the city. But even though they’re happy to see them, they feel ignored.
The movie is sweet, but it’s also very touching. It shows how people can hide their sadness behind big smiles and polite manners.
“Tokyo Story” might not be the happiest Japanese movie you’ll ever see. But it’s a really important one. It was made by a very talented director. His work has influenced many other filmmakers in Japan. So, if you’re interested in Japanese movies, this is a must-watch.
13 Assassins (2011)
Picking just one movie by Takashi Miike is as hard as choosing one by Kurosawa. But “13 Assassins” (2011) is a great choice. It’s about a group of ronin, or masterless samurai, who plan a secret mission. Their goal is to defeat a mean and powerful nobleman in old-time Japan.
The first part of the movie is a serious historical drama. But then, Miike really ramps things up. The ending is super exciting, with a huge battle where lots of people fight and there’s a lot of action. The scenes are so intense, they’ll make your eyes pop!
“13 Assassins” is one of the best action movies from Japan ever. It’s a big achievement for Miike. So, if you’re looking for a great movie to watch, this one is a must-see.
We Are X (2016)
“Gaman” is a word from Zen-Buddhism. It means being able to deal with tough times. It’s a lot like the Greek idea of Stoicism. In Japan, people think of gaman as a good quality to have. One group that really shows what gaman means is X, a heavy metal band. Their story is as dramatic as any Greek tragedy.
There’s a movie about them called “We Are X” (2016). It was made by Stephen Kijak. The movie looks at the band and their famous lead singer, Yoshiki. It talks about the sad things that have happened to them, like the suicides of two band members and Yoshiki’s health problems. But it also shows their successes. The movie tells a hopeful story. It shows how people can be strong, how art can help heal, and how people can find hope even when things are really hard.
Violent Cop (1989)
Any list of Japanese movies has to include Takeshi Kitano, also known as Beat Takeshi. His first movie as a director was “Violent Cop” (1989). Besides being a director, he’s also a comedian, a writer, a TV star, and a big name in Japan.
“Violent Cop” is a tough crime movie. It’s about things that are often in Kitano’s movies – violence, what it means to be a man, and feeling alone. It’s interesting to see how Kitano’s simple style started with this movie. The main character is Detective Azuma. He starts to fight back against the Japanese mafia. This leads to a lot of action, with Azuma not caring what his bosses think and smoking a lot of cigarettes. So, if you’re interested in Japanese movies, “Violent Cop” is a good one to watch.
Battle Royale (2000)
“Battle Royale” (2000) is a really important movie in Japanese cinema. It was the last movie made by Kinji Fukasaku. The movie is about a group of middle school students who are forced to fight each other.
Even though it’s been over 20 years since the movie came out, it’s still as powerful as ever. It shocked people all over the world when it was released. And it definitely had an impact on another very famous trilogy of movies. The idea of a government in the future being mean and using young people isn’t just a scary thought anymore.
