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5 best travel shows about Japan

Explore Japanese food, culture and landscapes with Elliot Page, Joanna Lumley, James May and more

Okay, so international travel isn’t completely feasible yet, but you can still look for some inspiration to start planning your next big trip. Whether you’re tagging along with Elliot Page to explore the ins and outs of Shinjuku Nichome , or getting to know the delights of the Japanese onsen with Top Gear’s James May, these whimsical travel shows are bound to fuel your wanderlust.

Covering Japan from the eccentricities of modern Tokyo to the most traditional elements of Japanese culture, here are the best travel shows to take you on a whirlwind adventure without leaving home.

RECOMMENDED: The best documentaries about Japanese food

Travel at home

Joanna lumley's japan.

In this series, beloved British actress Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) starts her journey in the sub-zero temperatures of Hokkaido before making her way to Honshu, Japan’s cultural heartland. Taking boats, planes and speedy bullet trains to make her 2,000-mile journey, Lumley is a delightfully charming travel companion, always ready with a witty quip. 

From the spectacular views of natural world heritage sites to jetting over some of Japan’s most active volcanoes, the series is an excitement-packed feast for the eyes. After taking part in a karate class and swinging fire for a festival in Akita, Lumley concludes her trip in Tokyo by attending a riotous ‘girl band’ concert where the average age is 84. 

Available on Netflix in some regions outside of Japan. 

Prime Japan

Discover the joys of staying in a traditional ryokan and ponder the nation’s obsession with cats in this extensive series about Japan on Amazon Prime . If an itinerary of lugging heavy bags through crowded streets and tourist hotspots sounds like a far cry from a holiday to you, be soothed by these scenes of calming natural landscapes and private sushi counters. 

Rather than a surface-level introduction to iconic dishes like sushi and ramen, viewers are shown the history and origins of each food as well as the meticulous process of sourcing ingredients to make them. An exploration of old and new, this series takes you from the traditional Buddhist practice of Zen meditation to the cutting-edge designs that put Japan on the map for modern technology.

James May: Our Man in Japan

Follow Top Gear’s former host James May as he journeys across Japan from the busy streets of Tokyo to the shrines and temples of Kyoto. Far from the average travel show with dry narration and slow filler shots of landscapes, May’s antics make this cultural exploration as funny as it is informative. 

Curious to learn about what goes down at the annual Kanamara Matsuri Penis Festival? What all the fuss for pachinko parlours is about? May sets out to investigate all that and more in six wildly entertaining episodes. Sure, there are genuinely beautiful scenes featuring venues like Odaiba’s teamLab Borderless Museum and a traditional tea ceremony hosted by a real geisha, but it’s the comical social faux pas and mishaps that make the show one of the best of its kind. 

Gaycation: Japan

In this series , actor Elliot Page (Umbrella Academy) and his friend Ian Daniel explore different corners around the world to better understand how LGBTQ+ communities vary across cultures. Though the series doesn't shy away from dealing with the marginalisation of LGBTQ+ people, Page and Daniel also cover significant ground touring the most distinctive parts of each city they visit. In the Japan episode, Page begins by exploring a traditional shrine before heading to Shinjuku Nichome’s smallest lesbian bar.

Queer Eye: We're in Japan!

Queer Eye’s mini-series set in Japan is high on our list of the best shows on Netflix for its feel-good factor and style inspo, but the episodes also introduce viewers to a more local side of Tokyo through Japanese cooking sessions and ikebana workshops. Along the way, TV icons Kiko Mizuhara and Naomi Watanabe join in to teach the Fab Five a thing or two about Japanese customs and traditions.

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Locally produced, binge-worthy titles to add to your watch list

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Kristen Abroad

Exploring everything Japan has to offer

21 Great Shows and Documentaries about Japan to Watch Now

Love this article?

This post may have been slightly inspired by the current state of affairs of stay-at-home orders and quarantine with COVID-19 running amok. I tend not to be a big TV watcher but when you are stuck inside all the time, it helps to know about some shows to watch during quarantine (or in general!). Here at Kristen Abroad, we’re all about Japan so, what do you think I’ve been watching (besides my normal Crunchyroll anime binges)?. Starting with my favorite documentaries about Japan we’ll move into some TV shows and finish out with some fun manga adaptations.

Whether it’s learning something about the culture or just watching some silly slice-of-life inside view with these shows and documentaries about Japan, these options should keep you busy for a while. I know for me they give me a multitude of items to check off my bucket list when we’re all back to traveling and exploring. You may want to take some notes!

Update January 2021: Since the time I originally wrote this post about documentaries about Japan earlier in the quarantine, I’ve watched even more documentaries and shows about Japan that I’d like to share with you. What started as 11 documentaries and shows about Japan (or actually 9 if you look at the permalink for this post), is now 21. Only because I’m not counting the countless resources that NHK World has to offer on-demand in the total.

Stay healthy out there everyone and even when we can go back to traveling normally, these shows and documentaries about Japan are great for giving you a glimpse into Japanese culture at any time.

9 Documentaries About Japan

12 shows to watch about japan, nhk world app, what streaming service to use have you heard of kanopy, which are your fave shows or documentaries about japan.

Disclosure: Kristenabroad.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. For some links to products or services in this article, I may earn a small commission by you using my link.  The price for you is not affected.

Just as a heads up, all three of these documentaries about Japan have Japanese tracks with English subtitles. If that’s not your thing, know that these documentaries are worth it! If that still doesn’t get you, there are a few English track options in the next section (look for the *). However, note that while learning even basic Japanese, hearing native speakers does wonder with your pronunciation, comprehension, and your speaking abilities .

I’ve tried to mark if any come from a specific streaming network for these shows and documentaries about Japan but the easiest way I find to do that is to check the search function on my Roku for where they reside.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

This 2011 documentary by David Gleb about Japan’s 3-star sushi chef might have been what got me interested in documentaries in the first place. 85-year old Jiro Ono (小野 二郎, Ono Jiro – remember in Japanese, last names come first!) is amazing to watch.

His restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, has a total of 10 counter seats and serves omakase sushi only. For what is a $400 meal (as of 2020), people like to comment on it being “just in some subway station!”. It is in Ginza though, Tokyo’s ritziest upscale shopping area.

While it held the award of a 3 star Michelin star for a decade, it actually recently lost it, not due to a decline in quality, but that it has become so exclusive to get in the original store that even Michelin can’t get in! That being said, Jiro still holds the title of oldest chef to earn a 3-star ! Most recently updated in March of 2019 at a ripe old age of 93 years and 128 days.

Thanks to the near impossibility to get into Sukiyabashi Jiro, which has been in business since 昭和40年 (Showa 40, or 1965 to the rest of us), it makes it an even more special to watch as far as documentaries about Japan go.

This documentary of Japan’s probably most recognized sushi chef delves a lot into what it means to be a 職人 (しょくにん, shokunin). A title that is earned that can be used for any profession that means you have mastered your craft. Jiro started working in a kitchen at 9 years old, and as you’ll see through the film, he’s never given up on becoming his best.

The Birth of Sake

The film makers (Director Erik Shirai was a cinematographer for ‘No Reservations’ with Anthony Bourdain), lived through a full season of sake brewing to capture this film. Staying at the brewery with the workers to see what it truly means to make sake in the traditional manor as it has for thousands of years.

This documentary about sake is set in Tedorigawa Yoshida Brewery , a small family-run brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture founded in 1870. Once Yachan Yoshida takes over for his father, the company’s president, he will be the sixth generation of his family to lead the brewery.

The movie is very artistic and shows how much craftmanship (that 職人, shokunin, again) that goes into making sake. The head brewer, Teruyuki Yamamoto who was 68 at filming, uses his senses instead of just a formula and machine to make their premium brand.

It’s a grueling half a year in which the workers must leave their families from October to April, waking at 4:30 a.m., eating, and working together, most days past dinner. The dedication is intense.

Ramen Heads

Ramen Heads showcases Osamu Tomita, who opened Chuka Soba Tomita (中華蕎麦 とみ田) in 2006. At the time of the film, Tomita’s had earned best ramen in Japan four years in a row.

The documentary reveals Tomita’s unfaltering desire to have great ramen. He LIVES ramen, and even when they do segments with his family, that’s what they eat – ramen . Notably, the film makes a big deal of him showing everything that goes into his broth. Tantalizing quantities of high-quality ingredients that he totes “shops that won’t share what they do is because they don’t want to show you that it’s nothing special” (I’m paraphrasing).

The movie also takes you to five other shops (bucket list of ramen anyone?) so you get a feel for several different types of ramen and the history of some of the great ramenya’s (ramen shops) of Japan.

Really it just makes me want to go try them all out for myself!

Miso Hungry

I have a soft spot for food/transformation documentaries, combine that with my love of Japan and voila, you have Miso Hungry (and it doesn’t hurt I love the play on words with “ miso ” in the title)! Australian award-winning actor and comedian Craig Anderson stars in this documentary in a quest to get healthy eating only Japanese food for 12 weeks. How does he learn how to do that? He heads to Japan for the first several weeks, of course!

In Miso Hungry he learns about what the typical Japanese diet is, how to make it and what “home-cooked” Japanese food looks like, information about green tea including a 茶道 or tea ceremony, and even some shojin ryori, the traditional vegetarian dining of Buddhist monks.

Instead of making a conscious effort to do more exercise, he just lives like the Japanese, and well, walks everywhere. He uses a wearable to track his steps (I love my Garmin Fenix 6s that I upgraded to for my birthday) so he can continue the same back in Australia during the later part of the experiment.

Like any good diet documentary, it has the pre-and post-health specs, but for me, I really like the dive into Japan’s food culture with the quirky humor mixed in.

Wa-shoku Dream: Beyond Sushi

More food documentaries about Japan! This one is not diet focused but focused on the Japanese food itself. After all, UNESCO did name it on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritages. It starts with Noritoshi Kanai who is credited with bringing Japanese food, especially sushi – he apparently was the one that coined the term “sushi bar”, to America. In that aspect, a good chunk of the documentary is peering into Japanese food culture in America.

It might be worth watching just for the ridiculous sushi restaurant with people dancing around yelling about sake bombs, not something you would see in Japan.

It does delve into shojin ryori momentarily so it can be transitioned into kaiseki (which is based off shojin ryori), and the plating will have you salivating for some of your own. But just as soon as you are there, next you are seeing sushi food trucks and ramen burgers.

As such, I’ve seen some comments that people think it jumps around a lot but I like it as far as documentaries about Japan go if nothing else for the wide range of Japanese food it shows. There are many tokens of information that I learned from watching this documentary about Japan, and to me, that’s what makes it worth it. Always learning.

Naration is in English, but many of the interviews are in Japanese with subtitles.

James May Our Man in Japan

You probably know of James May from one of his various TV shows. Usually car related though I do like his cooking show, but this one is him running North to South in Japan. What it does well is go into different aspects of Japanese culture that aren’t normally highlighted except for specials on NHK. Though even there, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard about competitive snowball fighting!

He meets a train melody composer – lots of train stations in Japan have special songs! Something you may notice in Japan and wonder who comes up with that?! There’s a lot of “typical” Japan travel scenes of ordering from a ramen machine or trying Kobe beef , checking out the famous fancy toilets of Japan , but there is a small treasure trove of extra experiences that are available that may not be thought about.

Or there are things travelers may have heard about, like the Kanamara Matsuri fertility festival but never been able to experience. At just six episodes, it’s an easy binge-watch of Japan.

Prison Life: Justice in Japan

As part of my orientation to living in Japan, they spent a good chunk of time warning us of the conditions of Japanese prisons. Mainly stemming around scare tactics for not drinking and driving (Japan’s legal limit is 0.03 vice American where it is 0.08, making even one evening drink suspect the next morning) but not only. As you can be thrown in for weeks “on miso alone” without being told while you are there. Needless to say, when I found this title I was curious to see the actual conditions and what it meant to be in prison in Japan.

They start by going over the particulars of the difficult hoops they had to jump through for this documentary about Japan prisons could even get off the ground. Two prisons allowed them under strict circumstances.

Of course, everything looks orderly, like the slippers outside their doors because why wouldn’t you have a genkan? Curiously, they are woken up not just by the guards but by classical music, which amusingly reminded me of my friend’s toilet room that played classical music when you entered.

Regulation is key though. Everything timed, everything precise. Each day they clean their own cells, much like school children clean their own class rooms (yikes, if that’s not a comparison, I don’t know what is). If everything isn’t perfect, they can be punished. With the likes of having to sit 正座 (seiza, Japanese style kneeling) or 胡座 (agura, cross-legged), in the middle of their room, with no books, no TV for UP TO SIXTY DAYS!

Touching on Charles Ghosn’s fleeing Japan, a festival “celebrating” prisons, as well as the increasing older population, it’s an interesting watch into the lives of inmates as well as the judicial system of Japan.

This documentary about Japan focuses on the lives of five “hafu” Japanese. Hafu (ハーフ) is the term used in Japan for someone of mixed-race, or “half” Japanese. It’s a very candid look and touches on some tough topics. With the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reporting that one in forty-nine babies in Japan have one non-Japanese parent, the number is growing. When you hear all the time that Japan’s population is dwindling, it is something to look at.

And while not indicative of all experience, as someone that knows many half-Japanese/half-American children (Yokosuka has an American base, after all) and friends, now that I’ve seen the movie, I’d like to delve more into understanding their experiences. As an outsider to the experience, I found it well done.

Big in Japan

One of the weirdest documentaries about Japan features a few Australian guys and their quest to make one of the “famous in Japan” is absolutely ridiculous but I loved it. As someone that always wanted to get into the modeling scene, but didn’t have the time to hop to Tokyo on a Wednesday at 9 am – hello engineering job – it’s an interesting foray into not just modeling, but what it means to “be famous”.

With some interludes from university professors on the topic, it mostly revolves around the crazy antics of what they do over nearly two years in Japan to try and make it big, to which they ultimately fall short but make a good crack at it.

Watch it for the ridiculousness but also for the Japan scenery.

While I love documentaries about Japan, there’s plenty of other varieties of programming to keep you busy, namely mini-documentaries, a few travel shows, a cooking show, and some manga adaptions.

Chef’s Table (*)

Hear me out on this one. While the show (available on Netflix) is not entirely Japan, if you liked Jiro, David Gleb is also the creator of the Netflix original series “Chef’s Table”. Consider them mini documentaries showcasing a different chef each episode. Fantastically produced, I’m a little jealous that David is only a couple of months older than me.

Where’s this fit in with Japan? The first season has an episode showcasing Niki Nakayama who is chef and owner at Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles. Specialization? Kaiseki. Japan’s traditional course meal. If a star wasn’t enough to get you curious about it, Food and Wine also named n/naka one of the best restaurants in the world in 2019 .

Japanese Style Originator

The original name is 和風総本家 (wafuu souhonke) and it is a Japanese TV program that began in April of 2008. Some translations are available on Netflix under the name “Japanese Style Originator”, which is an interesting choice of translation but I get it.

If you are familiar at all with Japanese television, you will know that they LOVE panel shows. This is where a group of celebrities watch clips together and weigh in on what is learned/seen. They were popular back in the 50s and 60s in America and are still going strong in Japan. There is usually a quiz component which Japanese Style Originator definitely deploys. In this case, it greatly adds to your understanding of each cultural aspect. The panel has a few consistent members and several guest panelists each episode.

On Netflix, you’ll find a subtitled version of the first season, though episodes list from 1 – 54, they skip a bunch and in total there are 27 episodes available. In Japan, it ran every Thursday evening for 12 years! If Netflix could do the rest, I’d definitely watch them! It had it’s last episode on March 19, 2020.

Each episode starts with a cute interlude where a Shiba Inu named Mamesuke (豆助, which is literally “soy bean” “help” which amuses me) goes shopping at a Japanese sweets store for it’s owner. In total through the history of the show, there were 23 animals that played this role. From there, a mix of culture, food, craftsman, etiquette and unique Japanese customs are presented.

If you love Japan, this should definitely be added to yours shows to watch about Japan.

No Reservations by Anthony Bourdain (*)

I like this play on directors/creators that’s working out. As I mentioned above, the director for The Birth of Sake also worked on No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. While this show goes all around the world, more than a few times, No Reservations makes quite a few appearances in Japan.

Season 2 has a two-hour special shared with China that focuses mainly on Osaka. Season 4 takes you to Tokyo for one episode; Season 7 to Hokkaido and in Season 8 he heads to the “Cook it Raw” event.

If you have never seen No Reservations, they are fun episodes to watch and are available on Hulu, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Possibly one of my favorite shows ever. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories or 深夜食堂, (Shinya shokudō) as it’s known in Japan is set in a small 12-seat izakaya in Shinjuku. It’s based off a manga of the same name and has 5 seasons, the two that are available on Netflix are actually seasons 4 and 5.

Don’t let that deter you, as each episode mostly stands on it’s own. It follows “Master” in his daily openings from midnight to 7 am. Quick note, calling the bar proprietor “Master” is very common in Japan (there’s other words for izakaya proprietors but I’ll explain that another time).

There are some regular customers with a few visiting and each episode generally focuses on one of them, with a heavy hand to play by the food of the evening as well. Usually the highlighted customers favorite.

If nothing else, it will make you hungry for izakaya food and enjoying a window into the night life of Japan. Being a regular at the local izakaya is something of a warm happy glow (one day I’ll tell you about Sakatoya, a 100+ year old establishment in Yokosuka).

Another mouth watering manga/anime adaption is Wakakozake. I originally found it in it’s anime form which are short 3-minute animations. Surprisingly there’s many anime’s of that length with how Japanese television time slots are set up. The anime as well as the first two seasons of the drama are available on Crunchyroll.

The story follows Murasaki Wakako (where the Wakako in the title comes from), a 26-year-old that’s hobby is to go eat and drink my herself after work. The second part of the name is “sake” but in this case, when it gets added to the first, the pronunciation changes it to a “z”. (I love Japanese, if you want to learn it, I highly recommend starting with my hiragana and katakana post and checking out Minna no Nihongo )

The ridiculousness that is this show is that when Wakako has something – whether food or beverage – she likes, she makes this silly “Pshuuu” sound. It’s worth it just to watch an episode to experience that!

Samurai Gourmet

Similar to Wakakozake is Samurai Gourmet. The 12 episode original Netflix program based off a manga by Masayuki Kusumi of the same name follows another person on the hunt for good food. This time a newly retired businessman named Takashi Kasumi.

Parts of it are cute and him trying to figure out this new life. You may be wondering about the “samurai” part though. That’s where this one gets fun.

The only way I can describe it is he gets into weird situations in which he wants to help but doesn’t have the guts to do it. So he hallucinates a samurai coming and saving the day, which inspires him to act.

For instance, the first episode he realizes he’s retired and can have a beer with lunch if he wants! But can’t get the courage, so the samurai waltzes in with an “Edo period” styling and then, tada, he can have a beer!

It’s something you have to see. Really cute and entertaining.

Prime Japan (*partially in English)

Prime Japan is a series of 12 hour long episodes that I would consider mini documentaries about Japan doing a deep dive into different cultural aspects of the country that you can watch on none other than Amazon Prime! (The irony is not lost on me).

The name in Japanese is a bit more eloquent at “にほんのこころに出会う” or “Meet Japan’s heart”.

Very well put together it follows Jonathan Sherr around the country. Personally, the narration is what brings out the best in it. Topics include sushi, ryokan, ramen, design, Japanese tea, Japan’s love of cats, wagashi (Japanese sweets), shrines, zen, swords and sake.

Pick your favorite topic and have at it!

Sachie’s Kitchen (*)

Another available from Amazon Prime for those cooking show lovers amongst my readers is Sachie’s Kitchen.

Sachie is the chef behind New Zealand’s most Awarded cooking school based in Auckland, New Zealand. She was born in Japan and immigrated to New Zealand and like’s to discover new recipes.

For Sachie’s kitchen, she does quick interludes in Japan checking out ingredients or trying a new dish and then segways into showing you how to make your own. They’re quick episodes with tricks if you can’t find the right ingredients which is always a plus if you don’t have the easiest access to an Asian market!

Midnight Diner

The original post talked about Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories, as it was released first on Netflix, so that’s why it is listed first. However, Tokyo Stories is actually season 4 and 5 of the Midnight Diner story. Midnight Diner brings you back into the small izakaya “めし” (meshi means meal but also rice harkening to the fact it is often the main ingredient of a meal) and the antics of its patrons.

If you liked Tokyo Story, you’ll like these as well. Don’t forget to pay attention to the end where you can get quick tips on making Japanese food dishes.

Street Food Asia: Osaka Episode

One of Netflix original series, get a glimpse at this tiny street side izakaya, known as Isakaya Toyo in Osaka. He’s been there for 26 years at the time of filming. A quick watch and the proprietor Toya is so energetic and fun to watch, it makes you want to run off to Osaka right this second to experience it. You also get a small look at Osaka. Osaka is known as Japans kitchen. Where as Okinawans may eat “hara hachi bun me“, food historian Mana Kumagai at the beginning talks about how Osakan’s “eat till they drop”.

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes: Japan Episode

Another Netflix original, the Japan episode of “The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes” takes you to four different homes around Japan, and while they are not like most homes you will find in Japan, they are definitely Japanese characteristics incorporated. If you like interesting architecture, definitely check this episode out.

Enter the Anime

This is not a recommendation, this is a warning that you may be hitting your head against a table if you watch this. Netflix original that is painful to watch if you know even a smidge about anime. Just ask my friend I made watch it with me, it hurts. In the end, we both looked at each other and concurred it was a glorified hour long advertisement for Netflix’s anime programs – but only the most violent of them.

The director and narrator “newbie” to anime, who just apparently discovered it in her late 20s as she tells you early on does, in fact, prove she blatantly knows nothing of the subject. (My first question, why did they pick her???). So I guess there’s the “documentary” part of it.

While this may be directed at other newcomers in a jest to get them interested in Netflix’s shows, it doesn’t do any service to what anime truly is. And seriously, who are these people living under rocks and haven’t at least heard of them? Or at least harkening back to days when it was referred to as “japanimation” [cringe].

There are a few highlights, like the segments at TOEI Animation and a look at music’s connection with anime. While I liked the interview with Yoko Takahashi who sung the theme song from Evangelion, I don’t recall them mentioning the -name- of said anime, but a newby is supposed to know what it is from clips from a show that came out in the 90s??? Sigh.

This is not the anime documentary I hoped for by the title but if you want to make a drinking game out of how many times the girl curses, have at it.

First of all, if you don’t have the NHK World App for your Roku , get it now – so many options for shows and documentaries about Japan. It’s not the best but it is nice having it already preloaded. Their streaming website is actually better so if you like to Cast to your TV (I have a Chrome Cast but find it just as easy at that point to watch things on my laptop), that’s also a good option.

There are tons of options on NHK. You can just stream “live” TV but depending on the program, you can actually choose to watch some of them out of order. Additionally, there are plenty of documentaries about Japan as well as cute shorter regular programs. Some that I’ve enjoyed lately:

• The Tale of Granny Mochi: Kuwata Misao – Follow Kuwata Misao, 92 years old, on how she makes 50,000 mochis a year.
• Japan Railway Journal – This one gives you lots of information on the trains in Japan, the railways and also shows some places to go.
• Trails to Oishii Tokyo – Focuses each episode on a different ingredient.
• Journeys in Japan – I bet you can guess what this one may be about!
• Train Cruise – I love traveling by train so these ones are great! Follow the host on a small train journey bouncing through several locations.

There is a search function, but you can also look by categories such as Art & Design; Biz/Tech; Culture & Lifestyle; Current Affairs; Debate; Disaster Preparedness; Documentary; Drama; Entertainment; Food; Interview; Learn Japanese; Pop Culture & Fasion; Science & Nature; Sport; and Travel.

Shows range from a few minutes to over an hour and you won’t run out of things to watch. If you can’t decide, check out the playlist options. I like the ones in different cities which will show you several programs for the area.

You definitely have your pick with these! Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll each have a few but not all of these. Seems like most people have more than one streaming service (or can borrow a friends in a pinch). I’ve tried to include where each is offered but as we all know, that can change from day to day.

Crunchyroll is hands down the best if the majority of what you are looking for is Anime – and they simulcast!

But here’s some important information for you — did you know if you have a library card you can use a service called Kanopy for free? Kanopy has over 30000 documentaries, classic and indie films! It’s officially my go to place for documentaries about Japan or any topic! Especially when you like documentaries as a lot of time you have to pay for some of the lesser known films with other services.

I’d love to hear what you think of any of these shows and documentaries about Japan or if you have some more suggestions for me to add to the list. Let’s have a conversation, leave me a comment below :).

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4 thoughts on “ 21 great shows and documentaries about japan to watch now ”.

We have flights booked to Japan in November, who knows if the are going to be able to go or not but these will give me some inspiration!

I severely hope it’s well over by then and you have an awesome trip! Please feel free to reach out if you have questions. Do you know where you’re planning on going yet?

Yes, give me all of the Japanese shows to watch! I watched Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories last year, though I can’t quite recall if I finished all the episodes or not, I’ll have to check on that. I had no idea it was technically a sequel, so I will have to check out the original series. I absolutely love watching documentaries but I think anime is my top thing to watch currently, there are so many great shows out there!

Anime is my top thing too, and there are sooooooo many great shows currently, so I feel you there! I’m glad this list gave you some extra “about japan” things to watch :).

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James May: Our Man in...

James May embarks on a remarkable journey across Japan, from its icy north to its balmy south. He'll see the sights, meet the locals, and eat the noodles in a bid to truly understand the Lan... Read all James May embarks on a remarkable journey across Japan, from its icy north to its balmy south. He'll see the sights, meet the locals, and eat the noodles in a bid to truly understand the Land of the Rising Sun. James May embarks on a remarkable journey across Japan, from its icy north to its balmy south. He'll see the sights, meet the locals, and eat the noodles in a bid to truly understand the Land of the Rising Sun.

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Crystal Kleminsky is currently an intern from the United States. She will graduate from the University of Memphis in August of 2023 and plans to attend graduate school for a Masters of Science in Marketing soon after. In her free time, Crystal enjoys playing video games, practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. As Crystal is an international business major, she hopes to travel frequently and work abroad in the future.

Getting ready for your trip to Japan ? While packing your favorite outfits and planning your itinerary are important, don’t forget about entertainment during the trip there! Download these shows to your Netflix account to make sure you’re satisfied for the whole flight . Japanese television series genres are far and wide, but we have narrowed your watchlist down to the 12 must-see shows before your big trip. Whether you’re looking for a laugh or a thrill, we’ve got something for you! And, don’t worry; all of these can be watched either in English audio or with subtitles, among other languages.

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The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House  is a heartwarming tale of two young girls setting off on their own path. These 16-year-old best friends, Kiyo and Sumire, leave their hometown in northern Japan to become  maiko  – the Kyoto-specific term for a geisha apprentice. Although one excels and the other struggles to meet the rigors of a maiko in training, their friendship never fails them. Despite this struggle, Kiyo turns to cooking instead of giving up on her dreams. Both yearning to find their passion, the two create their new lives in the world of traditional  Japanese culture  in different ways.

Only operating in the late hours of the night, Master – the main character of Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories , serves the night owls living in the city of Tokyo . In his intimate and welcoming establishment, people from all walks of life come to eat specially requested meals that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Master offers what advice he can to his guests while satiating their appetites. Because each episode focuses on a different character, viewers can experience new and exciting stories as the series progresses. Enjoy the compelling tales of these eccentric characters while watching the making of their favorite foods in this Netflix Original series.

Comedically eating his way through the bustling city of Tokyo is Takeshi Kasumi in Samurai Gourmet . As a recently retired businessman , Takeshi uses dining to fill his days with his newfound freedom. However, embracing this new way of life can sometimes be difficult; thus, enters his alter ego, the audacious samurai warrior. Takeshi uses this free spirit persona to boost his confidence in his pursuit of solo dining. As you might expect, this series based on the discovery of food and freedom can tantalize one’s tastebuds. That being said, watch it while eating a good meal!

Izakaya Toyo is a street food vendor run by a charismatic chef named Toyo in Osaka , otherwise known as Japan’s Kitchen. Featured in the episode of Street Food: Asia covering Japan, Toyo calls himself a magician and con artist, as he uses all parts of the fish to create his dishes. While other talented chefs are featured in the series, Toyo is the main focus of this episode for his magnetic nature and fascinating background. He captivates his customers with his charm and tasty delicacies, some cooked with a blowtorch! Become enthralled with his riveting personality and mouth-watering food as you watch this show.

▼If you’re in Kansai, check out our Kyoto Food and Drink tour!

Comparable to an American reality show, minus the apparent scripted drama, is Terrace House . With five different series under the Terrace House umbrella on Netflix, this show has captivated the hearts of many across the globe. Creating friendships and romantic relationships along the way, six new strangers every installment come together in a beautiful house to live their lives as they please. Faced with the challenges of everyday life, these young people must navigate through their personal troubles while trying to make their dreams come true. Listen to the fascinating commentary of the panelists to get a realistic view of youth culture in Japan. 

Retsuko, an unsuspecting red panda with a demanding office job, struggles to make it in her career and find her place in the world. Singing death metal karaoke by night, Retsuko lets out her aggression after a hard day’s work, giving the series its title Aggretsuko . Faced with daily challenges and being overworked, she wonders if she should give up her freedom for a simple life of marriage. Binge your way through five seasons as Retsuko makes decisions that lead her to wild adventures that will surely keep you waiting for more!

The Queer Eye team worked their way across America giving out free makeovers, and now they’re moving on to Japan. Whether it be through fashion or lifestyle, the fab five are determined to make their impact and help others become the best version of themselves. Seeing the makeover participants along their journey of self-discovery is so touching and evokes a sense of encouragement as a viewer. In Queer Eye: We’re in Japan! , you can expect heartfelt moments, laughter, and a lot of fun! Tune into this gratifying show for a look into life in Japan.

Originally a manga that has since been turned into an anime and a movie was also made into a television series in 2017. Erased tells the story of a young man who has the ability to time travel in an effort to save the people whom he cares about. As his own mother and childhood classmates became victims of a serial killer, Satoru, the protagonist, must unravel the mystery and find the killer to prevent these tragic murders. Follow his spirited story as he works through challenges desperately trying to restore the past and present timelines.

Million Yen Women is a show detailing the story of a struggling novelist, Shin Mishima. Six months before the series starts, five women receive a strange invitation to live at Shin’s house for one million yen a month in rent. Not being allowed to ask any of them about their lives, Shin is lost as to who invited the women there or why they are there in the first place. Hoping for inspiration for his new novel, Shin tries his best to navigate this bizarre situation while dealing with personal struggles. Feel the suspense as you watch Shin’s life transpire in this mysterious series.

Now that you’ve read through our list of 12 best Netflix shows to watch before coming to Japan, which ones are you going to add to your watchlist? Get ready for lots of laughs and heartwarming moments! If there are some more series you think should be added to this list, connect with us on our social media and let us know. We would love to hear from you!

Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.  From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help you organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are visiting, our knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guides will happily take you to the best spots!  In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need some help! 

▶ Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo and try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake with one of our friendly and knowledgeable English speaking guides! 

▶ Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours) There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.

▶ Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo Experience the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji by visiting the highlights of the area on our guided sightseeing bus tour! Departing from Shinjuku in central Tokyo, you can travel comfortably to all of the best spots in the area by bus.

▶ Kyoto Private Full Day Walking Tour On this full-day private tour of Kyoto, you will be able to see the highlights of Kyoto in just one day and at the same time develop a deeper understanding of both the culture of the area and Japan as a whole.

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » Best Japanese TV shows to watch before visiting Japan

Best Japanese TV shows to watch before visiting Japan

June 15, 2022

When you think of TV series from Japan , the first thing that comes to mind is most likely the huge output of anime processed in the country.

However, aside from quality animation, there is also a huge range of television content produced in the country , from entertaining reality shows to high-class dramas.

Below you’ll find a list of the 15 best Japanese TV shows produced in the country that are essential viewing to get a good sense of local culture before your trip.

Read more : 15 best movies to watch before traveling to Japan

Table of Contents

• 4 Giri/Haji
• 5 James May: Our Man in Japan
• 6 Ju-On: Origins
• 7 Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories
• 8 Samurai Gourmet
• 9 Rilakkuma and Kaoru
• 10 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
• 11 Terrace House
• 12 The Naked Director
• 13 The Queen’s Classroom
• 14 Wild Hokkaido
• 15 Why did you come to Japan?

A single-season Japanese TV series released on Netflix in 2015, Atelier is a classy drama that all fashion lovers will enjoy , as well as fans of the film The Devil Wears Prada (2006) .

Also known as ‘Underwear’, the series follows Mayuko Tokita, a new employee at high-class lingerie design house Emotion , based in the Ginza district of Tokyo, and her clashes with the owner, who has been compared to Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

IMDB | JustWatch (US) |  Trailer (Netflix)

One of the best examples of Japanese anime available on Netflix, Beastars is an adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series of the same name.

Similar in concept to the well-received Disney feature film Zooptopia (2016), the story follows the budding relationship between a wolf and a rabbit and takes place in a world of civilized anthropomorphic animals where a divide between carnivores and herbivores threatens the peace.

IMDB | JustWatch (US) | Trailer (Netflix)

A live-action series based on a Japanese manga also known as “The Town Where Only I Am Missing”, Erased is a popular story that has also spawned an anime adaption and theatrical film, all of which are available on Netflix.

The 2017 live-action series is the most faithful to its source material, and follows a young man called Satoru who possesses an ability called “Revival” . This allows him to travel 18 years into the past, where he tries to solve a mystery surrounding the death of his childhood friends.

Although Giri/Haji (which translates to ‘Duty/Shame’) is a British-produced series , it takes place in both Tokyo and London and features dialogue in Japanese as well as English.

Described by Rotten Tomatoes as a ‘near-perfect crime thriller’, the series follows Kenzo Mori, a Japanese detective who travels to London to search for his missing brother, who has become mixed up with the Yakuza in the city’s dangerous criminal underworld.

The series was praised for its vibrant depiction of both of the cities where it is set and the performances, as well as for having a surprisingly enjoyable dark sense of humor .

James May: Our Man in Japan

Perhaps one of the best series you can watch to get an idea of what it’s like to travel in Japan as a foreigner , this Amazon travel documentary follows former Top Gear host James May as he journeys through the whole country from north to south.

As well as providing insight into popular destinations such as Mount Fuji , Kyoto’s many temples and shrines, and the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima , the series is well-worth watching for May’s priceless reactions to Japanese phenomena like cat cafés and J-pop concerts.

IMDB | JustWatch (US) | Trailer (YouTube)

Ju-On: Origins

If you’re a fan of Japanese movies like Ringu (1998) and Dark Water (2002), then the name Ju-On will probably ring a bell. The legendary horror series has already spawned a Hollywood franchise (known as The Grudge ), and now even has its own TV show.

The first series adaptation of Ju-On features all of the familiar spooky elements of the franchise that fans have come to expect, from a creepy cursed house in suburban Tokyo to the terrifying ghost of a little boy who screams like a cat.

However, the extended length of the story allows a more complex narrative to unfold.

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

A hit show in Japan since 2009 , Midnight Diner was picked up by Netflix in 2016 and the two latest seasons were produced by the streamer for international distribution under the subtitle Tokyo Stories .

Exclusively set in a small bar-restaurant in the bustling Shinjuku district of Tokyo , the series centers on “The Master”, a sympathetic chef who attempts to bring comfort to his patrons by preparing their favorite meal and offering life advice.

The series blends touching drama and delicious food to mesmerizing effect, and each episode ends with Master giving a demonstration of how to prepare the Japanese dish he served the main character in the story.

A perfect way to brush up on Japanese cuisine before your trip!

IMDB | Netflix

Samurai Gourmet

Another series from Japan that emphasizes the importance of food in Japanese culture, Samurai Gourmet is a slice-of-life drama based on a popular manga by Masayuki Kusumi.

The show follows a recently retired man struggling to adjust to his new life and quieter routine, until he discovers his inner persona: an ancient samurai warrior .

However, instead of inspiring violence, this spirit guide encourages the man to live life to the fullest . This largely involves indulging in extravagant, delicious-looking meals that will leave you eager to travel to Japan to do the same!

Rilakkuma and Kaoru

An ideal series to watch with kids before traveling to Japan, Rilakkuma and Kaoru is an adorable story told through sublime stop-motion animation and brings one of Japan’s most beloved characters to new life.

Rilakkuma is a cute bear who lives with his owner Kaoru, a thirtysomething office worker Kaoru, and always tries his best to help her overcome life problems and cheer her up.

Charming and beautifully animated , this is a lovely show the whole family can enjoy.

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki

If you’re a fan of classic Japanese animated features like My Neighbor Totoro (1988) and Spirited Away (2001), and are planning to visit the Studio Ghibli museum while in Japan, then this biographical documentary is a must-watch .

Over 4 episodes, the series closely follows master animator Hayao Miyazaki through his creative process over 10 years, giving a behind-the-scenes look into the production of Ghibli’s later classics like Ponyo (2008) and The Wind Rises (2013)

IMDB | Trailer (YouTube)

Terrace House

Often cited as Japan’s answer to Big Brother, Terrace House focuses on a group of young people who agree to live together in a house , primarily located in Nagano prefecture , which is completely rigged with cameras.

Although this sounds like the typical reality TV premise, Terrace House stands out for the hilarious commentary provided by a panel of Japanese comedians , who poke fun at the interactions between the housemates.

Terrace House is also a rare opportunity for international audiences to observe how Japanese people interact in an informal (although heightened) setting and pick up conversation patterns and slang they might not otherwise hear.

The Naked Director

A popular Japanese comedy-drama produced by Netflix, The Naked Director is based on the real-life story of Japanese adult film director Toru Muranishi.

Taking place in the late 1980s , the series follows the initially unassuming Muranishi, who, after losing his job and finding out his wife is cheating on him, decides to take a stab at producing adult videos.

After finding great success in distributing his content in the booming age of VHS tapes, he embarks upon a surreal and unlikely rise to the top of the adult film industry in a time when such things were still very taboo in Japan.

The Queen’s Classroom

The Queen’s Classroom follows teacher Maya Akutsu and her 12-year-old students over a year in her class. A strict perfectionist who seeks to wake the children up to the realities of the world, she inflicts strange punishments on the kids , who slowly begin to unfold under the pressure.

This thought-provoking Japanese drama series first aired in 2005 and has since gone on to spawn a prequel series as well as a South Korean remake in 2013.

IMDB | JustWatch (JP)

Wild Hokkaido

If you’re planning to visit the northernmost island of Hokkaido while traveling to Japan, then this adventure documentary series produced by NHK is a must-watch.

The 4 seasons of the show currently available cover a wide range of popular destinations on the Hokkaido, from the capital of Sapporo to the lavender fields of Furano, and gives an in-depth look at the variety of wildlife and stunning landscapes you can expect to enjoy.

Why did you come to Japan?

Hosted by Japanese comedy duo Bananaman, this entertaining reality show follows presenters as they interview passengers arriving in Japan , particularly at Narita Airport , to find out their reasons for coming to the country.

This leads to some interesting, and often hilarious, responses , and has even resulted in some surprise run-ins with international celebrities such as Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

In some cases, the crew continue to follow the tourists on their journey around Japan, giving travelers insight into some of the top destinations and activities they can expect to enjoy during their own trip.

IMDB | Website (JP)

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