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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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The 12 Best Documentaries About Tokyo

Dec 8, 2023 | Best Of , Geography

Discover the secrets of Tokyo through ten of the best documentaries about this vibrant city. From its cutting-edge architecture to its historical neighborhoods, discover a side of Japan that few outsiders get to experience. Whether it’s an exploration of traditional culture or a journey into modern fashion trends, these films will let you explore Tokyo like never before. So grab your popcorn, settle in and get ready to be transported into the heart of a city like no other. From the past to the present, explore Tokyo through these captivating documentaries.

1. Tokyo Noise (2002 Documentary)

Explore the roar of Tokyo in this unique documentary! Dive deep into the bustling urban jungle, as you immerse yourself in an enlightening journey. Witness a remarkable view of Japan’s capital through interviews with renowned photographer Nobuyoshi Araki, game designer Shono, musician Mayuko Hino and more. Discover fascinating topics such as robotics, shintoism , “love hotels” and a photoclub devoted to the iconic Mount Fuji. Get ready to embark on a fascinating experience as you explore Tokyo and its unique culture! The documentary captures the essence of life in Japan’s largest city, exploring vibrant themes such as robotics and shintoism.

2. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown | Tokyo | S02 E07

Anthony Bourdain, the globetrotting chef and storyteller, travels to Tokyo in search of its hidden depths and mysterious underground. His journey takes him through a land of paradoxes – where traditional values of conformity and dedication coexist alongside unique subcultures. Throughout his exploration, he encounters some of Japan’s most renowned sushi chefs such as Yasuda, whose craftsmanship has created an international reputation. Exploring the city through its dark and unusual lens, Bourdain explores Tokyo’s secret side and discovers that Japan offers much more than what meets the eye.

3. World’s Busiest Station: Shinjuku Station Tokyo

The world’s busiest station, Shinjuku Station Tokyo, is the hub for incredible precision and disciplined organization. From the staff to the 3.6 million customers that pass through daily, everyone works together in perfect harmony – with a smile on their faces. This documentary takes a deep dive into this remarkable feat of modern engineering and shows what it takes to keep the station running smoothly. From the intricate network of train lines and platforms, to the untold stories from its passengers, this film truly captures the magic of Shinjuku Station Tokyo and offers viewers a unique glimpse into one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks.

4. Imperial House of Japan: Tokyo – The New Capital

Embark on a journey through the ages and explore how Japan’s storied Imperial House has shaped the country’s culture, national identity and tumultuous history for over 3000 years. From legendary founding Emperor, Jimmu, to current ruler, Naruhito of the Chrysanthemum Throne, follow this extraordinary dynasty’s historical progression as one of the oldest continuous hereditary monarchies in the world. Journey to the sacred home of this Imperial House, Tokyo, and discover how this modern metropolis is firmly rooted in its past while embracing the future.

5. Tokyo’s Fateful Sarin Gas Attack in 1995

It was March 20, 1995. Tokyo’s commuters were going about their daily routines, unaware of the tragedy that was about to unfold. Suddenly, passengers aboard the subway were overcome with a choking sensation – sarin gas had been released in the station, and many people began to pass out from its toxicity. The perpetrators were members of an obscure new religion, who believed that by killing all of humanity they could save mankind. The attack was an attempt to bring their beliefs into the public consciousness and spark a revolution. As news of this tragedy spread throughout Tokyo, it caused a deep shock in the city – one that has not been forgotten even today.

6. Rise of Tokyo in Color – World’s Largest City: Tokyo, Japan

Standing tall like a giant of industry, Tokyo is the largest city in the world. For over 150 years it has grown and evolved from a small town of wooden buildings to a sprawling metropolis. The journey to modernization wasn’t linear however with an earthquake and bombings along the way bringing destruction and heartache. But Tokyo rose from these ashes like a phoenix – bigger and more incredible than ever before. Rise of Tokyo in Color is a digital documentary that charts this fascinating transformation using rare, colorized archival footage to bring the story to life like never before.

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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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8 Japan Related Documentaries on Netflix

Japanophiles can satiate their passion for the country through this selection of documentaries

August 9, 2022

Hakata gion yamakasa festival: fukuoka's 800-year-old tradition, the most influential mangaka ever | list of 7, what’s the difference between kimono and yukata, how oita became a public art oasis, baki is back with new anime series baki-dou.

For those interested in learning more about Japanese culture, Netflix has a great selection of documentaries about the curious land of the rising sun. While some exclusively focus on Japan, others feature a deep dive into one aspect of the culture in a single episode. From samurai and street food to kabuki and idols, there is something for everyone in these Japan documentaries.

Netflix Documentaries About Japan

Editorial credit: Cream Productions / Netflix

1. Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan

This historical Netflix docuseries tells the story of 16th-century feudal Japan starting with Nobunaga Oda becoming the head of the Oda clan after the death of his father. It involves well-known historical figures such as Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who unified the nation, and Ieyasu Tokugawa, the powerful daimyo who became the shogun after Toyotomi. This dynamic, fast-paced series delivers a rich and compelling story about the eventual birth of the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted for over 250 years.

2. Sing, Dance, Act: Kabuki Featuring Toma Ikuta

In this documentary, popular actor and idol Toma Ikuta joins his childhood friend and kabuki artist Matsuya Onoe in the final season of an independent kabuki production called “Idomu” (Challenge). He fulfills his dream of acting in a kabuki play while trying to master the fundamentals of kabuki over the course of a few short months. Not only can fans of Ikuta watch their idol learn a new skillset, they can also catch a rare glimpse into the world of kabuki from rehearsal to the pre-show make-up room. This is a movie about passion, friendship and the ancient art of kabuki.

3. Daiki Tsuneta Tokyo Chaotic

This documentary follows Daiki Tsuneta, the leader of Japanese rock group King Gnu, as he works on the musical collective “Millennium Parade.” King Gnu are one of the most famous rock bands in Japan. Their song “Kasa” was number one on the Billboard Japan Download Chart in October 2019, while their album “Ceremony” was one of the 10 best-selling records of 2020 worldwide, selling around one million copies. Their tracks “Ichizu” and “Sakayume” are also in the popular anime movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0 . The film crew documents from the start to the finish, the entire three months of the creation of Millennium Parade’s special track “2992.” Fans of King Gnu and those interested in the Japanese music scene will enjoy this enlightening documentary.

4. Ride on Time

This four-season docuseries follows a different top male idol group produced by Johnny & Associates each season. Those interested in peeking behind the scenes at a top idol agency in Japan will appreciate the insight of this docuseries that tracks the groups over several weeks. It’s named after a Tatsuro Yamashita track that is also the theme song of the show. Yamashita is a city pop artist whose hits remain popular alongside songs by Mariya Takeuchi and Miki Matsubara . The male idol groups in this docuseries, such as Johnny’s West, Naniwa Danshi and SixTONES, are more contemporary artists.

Netflix Documentaries With Episodes About Japan

Editorial Credit: Kosuke Arakawa / Netflix

5. Street Food: Asia: Osaka Episode

Episode two of Street Food: Asia introduces Netflix’s global audience to stalls, shops and izakaya in Osaka , a city known for its famous street food that includes okonomiyaki and takoyaki. In the 32-minute episode the audience learns about the owners of the popular Izakaya Toyo, one of Osaka’s oldest takoyaki stalls Umai-ya and an okonomiyaki shop called Fue. This documentary inspires both an appetite for food and travel.

6. Dark Tourist: Japan Episode

New Zealand filmmaker and journalist David Farrier travels to morbid destinations in Japan, including Fukushima, Aokigahara and Hashima Island, in episode two of season one of the docuseries Dark Tourist . Fukushima was hit by three deadly disasters on March 11, 2011 when a tsunami, earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster devastated the prefecture. Aokigahara is known as the suicide forest in Japan while Hashima Island (commonly known as Gunkanjima) is a tiny abandoned island near Nagasaki that used to be a coal mining island until 1974. Farrier speaks with locals about the macabre history behind each location, bringing to life the stories tied to each place.

7. Midnight Asia: Eat. Dance. Dream: Japan Episode

Episode one of this docuseries throws viewers into the diverse, adrenaline-inducing world of Tokyo at night. The audience gets a sneak peek into the lives of the oldest professional club DJ in the world, 87-year-old Sumiko Iwamuro, renowned bartender Rogerio Igarashi Vaz and fetish partygoers at Department H, Tokyo’s longest-running fetish club. If viewers want to know what life is like once the trains stop running in Japan’s capital, then they should try living vicariously through the Tokyoites in this episode.

Editorial credit: Netflix

8. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Salt Episode

In episode two, chef and cookbook author Samin Nosrat introduces viewers to the wide variety of salt in Japan and teaches them that salt tastes different depending on where it comes from and how it’s produced. Amazingly, Japan has over 4,000 different types of salt and each one has its own special flavor. Viewers also learn how miso, dashi and soy sauce provide saltiness and umami to Japanese dishes.

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The 10 Best Netflix Travel Shows And Documentaries In Asia

With international trips dissipated to pretty much non-existence, for the past few years we’ve had to turn to different forms of entertainment to try and satiate our desires to travel.

Unsurprisingly, consuming online content was one way that many people realized was going to be as close as they could get to experiencing the other side of the world.

Watching as real people explored foreign cities, ate peculiar foods, and interacted with strangers somewhat filled that void that we all wished we could go out and fill ourselves with.

Netflix saw the opportunity and absolutely leaped into the task of spoiling us with huge additions of travel shows and documentaries that were made to engage us in ways that makes us feel like we’re actually there in that moment.

Their best content has helped us keep the travel bug at bay and fed into our wanderlust desires in the best ways possible.

Watching these shows, whether it be about countries we’ve already visited or ones that we’re eager to visit once we’re allowed to, inspires us and gives us insight on how we can better plan the trip when the time comes around (and it will come, hopefully sooner rather than later!).

And to be honest, they’re just super fun and easy to watch!

There is currently a plethora of shows about food, travel, and/or culture – but the best ones are the ones that combine all three.

Let’s look into the 10 best Netflix travel shows and documentaries out right now!

1. Street Food Series – Asia (2019)

The Street Food series is a much-loved global series that’s the perfect viewing experience for foodies around the world. Every episode follows the story of a local chef and shares how their famous street food stall came to be.

If you’re a fan of journeys, this series will take you on some wild rides. You’ll be pretty much learning the origin stories of some of the chefs, some who literally started from the bottom, some of who took over flailing family businesses to completely turn them around.

The first series focuses on Asia, taking you for a tour around popular Asian destinations such as Thailand , Singapore , Delhi, Seoul , and many more. The second season focuses on Latin America.

2. Twogether (2020)

Veteran South Korean entertainer Lee Seung Gi and popular Taiwanese actor Liu Yi-Hao (stage name Jasper) are thrown in the deep end in this fun travel and exploration documentary series.

Basically, before starting filming in Indonesia, they met briefly for the first time when they were told that they would be filming this show. Fast-forward to months later and they’re both stepping off the airplane in Yogyakarta, a foreign Indonesian city neither have ever visited before.

From there, both parties must navigate through ‘missions’ (tasks) as submitted by their various fans across multiple cities around Asia, all whilst trying to overcome their language barrier and adapt to their environment.

From the get-go, you get the strong feeling that this is not scripted, as both parties are as awkward as it gets. Communicating in Taiwanese, Korean, and a sprinkle of English, you can feel them warming up to each other as the show goes on, and eventually they form a wonderful brotherhood you just can’t make up.

Both Seung Gi and Jasper are adventurous, comical and overall, wonderfully likable in this amazing series.

3. Somebody Feed Phil (2020)

In this fun and light-hearted travel, food and culture documentary, Phil Rosenthal, the creator of the classic sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” travels the world to indulge in delicious local cuisine and explore more about the culture of the destinations.

Some of the cities that he visits include Bangkok , Saigon , Seoul, and Singapore.

Unsurprisingly, his genuine interest in local customs, openness to trying even the strangest of foods, and amusing dry humour have hooked hundreds of thousands of people around the world. There are currently 4 seasons available to watch on Netflix.

4. J-Style Trip (2020)

Chinese artist Jay Chou is synonymous with legendary music. Many argue that it was he who put C-pop on the global map; if not, then it was he who expanded it beyond its horizons.

On the surface level, this documentary showcases Jay and his crew traveling around different destinations around the world. They perform crazy magic tricks, participate in fun and adventurous activities, and generally have good banter.

However, if you’re a long-time C-pop music lover, you’ll find that this series is much more than what it appears to be.

Whilst there is the glitz and glamor of visiting Paris and globetrotting through Singapore, there are moments of nostalgia as Jay Chou talks about his childhood dreams and inspiration. Certain conversations delve you deeper into the thoughts of the musician and remind you that he is a human before he is an artist.

Regardless of whether you’re a Jay Chou fan or not, this is a great series to binge.

5. The Hungry & The Hairy (2022)

Globally renowned k-popstar Rain and veteran South Korean comedian Ro Hong-chul are a pair of two unlikely friends in their late 30s who get together to traverse the country for light adventure and great food.

The synopsis of the series is basic enough: from Jeju Island to all the way back to Seoul, the two friends dip into various locations with their motorbikes to savour the scenery and sample the local food offerings.

This is a super laid-back, easy-going travelogue show that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

From the ridiculous outfits to the never-ending banter, you’ll find yourself immersed in the chemistry of the two as well as the gorgeous shots of the areas they go exploring.

One highlight of this show includes the endless drone shots of the long stretches of highways with mountains and beaches flanking the sides, reminding you that there is a whole world out there to explore soon.

Another highlight is the food they devour. When Rain is not showing off his culinary skills and cooking up a storm, they’re stopping into some restaurants that are local favourites to eat until they pass out (literally).

6. Midnight Asia – Eat Dance Dream (2022)

This eclectic show is unique in that rather than show celebrities, it follows the lives of individuals living life in some of the craziest night scenes across Asia.

Brightly lit neon sign boards, big personalities, and stunning drone shots characterize this show. This travel documentary series specifically shoots late at night to really showcase the party vibes of the city it’s highlighting.

The first episode focuses on Tokyo . In Shinjuku, we’re introduced to Sumiko Iwamuro, an 85-year-old DJ.

We get to know Rogerio Ignacio Vaz, a Brazilian born to Japanese parents, who’s a mixologist.

We follow Shotaro Komijo, as he drags his bar cart, Twillo, to a random location and then sends an update to his followers via his social media.

These are only a few of the personalities you’ll get to meet.

From Tokyo to Mumbai, Seoul to Taipei , East Asia has its moment in this series.

7. Ugly Delicious (2020)

Part cooking show, part documentary, Ugly Delicious the gold standard for those interested in how food and culture intertwine.

David Chang is a renowned chef who is the owner of the globally popular Momofuku restaurant group. From noodles to fried chicken sandwiches to pastries, his culinary ventures have left little for the imagination.

He starred in both seasons of Ugly Delicious, traveling the world, sampling and breaking down dishes and providing commentary and insight on its concept and history.

Viewers will like how grounded this show is. It isn’t merely just about the food itself; David features guests who sit down over a meal, conversing easily and candidly. There are nostalgic memories brought up, discussions about comfort foods being commercialized, and immigrants opening up shop to provide a taste of home.

David Chang ultimately drives home the message that food is a universal language, and it brings people together.

8. Zulu Man in Japan (2019)

In this short documentary, South African rapper Nasty C takes to the streets of Japan , immersing himself into the local culture, collaborating with local artists, and exposing himself to the vibrant creative arts and music scene.

With only a 48-minute running time, this is a quick and easy watch. You follow Nasty C as he freely and liberally explores the country’s night scene, gets into the thick of the local fashion and arts, attends concerts and more.

For those who have travelled to Japan before, you would know that the vibes in this country are unmatched.

So, to witness an up-and-coming rapper who’s never visited the country before take in the electric scenery, energy, and people the same way you did – in awe and wonderment – it will make you feel things.

9. Flavorful Origins

In this colourful documentary series, Flavorful Origins masterfully takes us through the various traditional cooking techniques of the Chaoshan Cuisine.

The history and culture intertwined with the real individuals in this series provides us with an insight into this relatively unknown branch of Chinese cuisine.

Each episode focuses on a different dish, some we may have come across before, and others we’ve likely never ever heard about.

The in-depth look at how the chefs, some of whom have had techniques passed down to them from generations before, prepare and cook the food will amaze you.

Frying, grilling, steaming – no cooking method is left off the table.

Whilst there are a whopping 20-episodes, which might seem a tad long for some people, the standardized approach yet fresh content of each episode will have you eating away at the show quicker than you realise.

10. Midnight Diner Tokyo Stories (2019)

The Midnight Diner Tokyo Series is a little bit different from the rest of shows mentioned above. Rather than filming real people traveling the world and exploring food, this show is a work of fiction.

However, it’s not fiction as you know it. Rather, with nuanced characters and clever script-writing, it can be described as a travelogue, a food review show, or even a commentary show on the Japanese lifestyle.

The show itself follows the story of ‘Master’, the owner/chef of a small diner in Tokyo who serves a variety of Japanese dishes to his customers. The diner is open from midnight to 7am, and you quickly find that customers are generally regulars who come for Master’s listening ear and comfort food.

If you’re missing hearing the Japanese language, are looking for something to watch that won’t challenge your thinking too hard, and just want to have a feel-good show on, Midnight Diner Tokyo Stories will introduce you to some unique characters.

I hope you enjoyed our selection of the best Netflix travel shows and documentaries. If you’re looking for some shows to get you out of that (lack of) travel funk, we’re sure that any pick off this list will do the job.

Travel shows and documentaries work wonders in making us feel inspired about the future of travel.

Whether you’re determined to visit your favourite country next year and just want something to tide you over for now, or looking to get some ideas about where you can go next once restrictions fully lift – we hope you find it watching one of these remarkable shows.

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7 Netflix Shows That Will Help You Understand Japan

An unmissable list of shows, films and documentaries about japan.

From Japanese idol culture to historic propaganda to informative trivia, this list has something for every binge-watching Netflix viewer looking to open their eyes to another side of Japan.

It’s that time of year again in Tokyo: the parasols are out, the air is sticky, the crowded trains are sweatier and more humid than usual, and that spot on the couch beneath the air-conditioner next to a box of popsicles is looking more and more appealing. Why not stay inside this weekend and deepen your understanding of Japan, its culture and its people? Here is a list of seven historic, informative and interesting shows that will help you do just that! We’ve included a wide range of Netflix favorites (with English subtitles) focusing on Japan and the Japanese people, all for your viewing pleasure.

The Birth of Sake

This award-winning documentary explores the lives of sake artisans working in Yoshida Brewery. Here, a small group of employees aged between 20 and 70 brave unusual working conditions and the intense winters of northern Japan to preserve the 2000-year-old tradition of sake. However, in this industry of intense competition, where sake drinkers are overwhelmed by choice, Yoshida is under immense pressure to keep-up their world class quality and reputation. The documentary focuses on the lives of Yoshida’s workers—particularly Yamamoto (65), a veteran sake maker, and Yasuyuki Yoshida (27), the sixth-generation heir to the brewery—and gives a unique insight into the sacrifices of the workers who dedicate their lives to this time-old tradition.

Tokyo Idols

AKB48, Nogizaka46, Momoiro Clover Z … idol music is a genre and culture largely unique to Japan: spend five minutes in Akihabara , and you will be inundated with posters and advertisements of pretty, young women and girls in matching costumes dancing and singing to pop music. Tokyo Idols is a documentary that explores this cultural phenomenon, and the superfans who devote their lives and personal finances to it. Filmmaker, Kyoko Miyake looks at the obsession with young female sexuality in Japan’s hypermodern society, and offers a critique of this changing industry where the internet is becoming increasingly influential but female idols are growing younger and younger.

Know Your Enemy: Japan

Now considered a culturally-insensitive piece of military propaganda, Know Your Enemy: Japan offers a look into the history of Japan from the 16 th century up until the 1930s, and gives insight into the Pacific region during the time of World War II. Commissioned by the U.S. War Department, and directed by Frank Capra, the film was initially created to prepare US soldiers before their deployment in the Pacific. However, as the war ended shortly after the film’s completion, this did not come to be. If you’re a history buff, be sure to check this one out.

Terrace House: Opening New Doors

Terrace House: Opening New Doors is an addictive reality TV show about six young people who, despite being total strangers, all move into a beautiful house in Karuizawa. There is no script. Just a camera crew, six strangers and the stories and interactions that unfold. Released in 2017, Opening New Doors is currently the most recent Terrace House season. While the immensely popular original Terrace House : Boys and Girls Next Door is also on Netflix, it does not have English subtitles. But, if your Nihongo is A+, feel free to check that out as well!

Chef’s Table Season 1: Niki Nakayama

This episode of Chef’s Table explores the life and career of Niki Nakayama. Born in the US to Japanese parents, Niki is a highly successful chef and restaurateur who runs the award-winning Los Angeles restaurant N/Naka. N/Naka serves modern kaiseki: a multi-course dinner that is artfully constructed, and carefully brings out the ultimate flavors in every ingredient with different cooking techniques. The episode follows Niki’s career, the day-to-day duties of running a Kaiseki restaurant and the adversity she has had to overcome as a woman working in the food industries of both Japan and the US.

Japanese Style Originator

Want to learn more about a wide and miscellaneous variety of Japanese traditions? Japanese Style Originator is the perfect show for you. From the correct etiquette to use at a tempura restaurant, to the proper way to wear yukata , to tips for making the best miso soup: this show has a little bit of everything. Those who like trivia, history and bringing up interesting factoids at dinner parties should definitely check this out!

This is a romantic, reality TV show with a premise like no other: 18 men and women looking for love are placed in beautiful Okinawa with the hope of finding a significant other. Sound uncomplicated? It’s not. Each contestant is burdened by a dark past and a harrowing secret. From criminal history to addiction, to previous affairs, these contestants must reveal their secrets and accept the flaws of others in order to find love. Hosted by comedian Atsushi Tamura, REA(L)OVE is an unconventional dating show with moments both heartbreaking and hilarious.

Happy TV binging!

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21 Great Shows and Documentaries about Japan to Watch Now

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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.

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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 :).

The 30+ Best Documentaries About Japan, Ranked

Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of the Land of the Rising Sun through our compelling collection of documentaries about Japan. Each distinctive selection is painstakingly curated to offer a rare glimpse into the enigmatic beauty of Japan's culture, history, and society.

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Dive into this ocean of knowledge and let every documentary unravel another layer of the intriguing Japanese culture. Your vote impacts the rankings and helps others choose what to watch. Inquisitive, insightful, and interactive – your journey into the heart of Japan starts here. So, engage, learn, and contribute to the ever-evolving narrative of our list.

Jiro Dreams Of Sushi

Diving into the world of sushi mastery, this documentary profiles Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi chef who operates a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo. With a relentless pursuit of perfection, Jiro's passion for his craft and unwavering dedication to the traditional art of sushi-making are beautifully captured through interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at his daily life. The film offers a fascinating glimpse into the devotion required to excel in one's chosen profession, as well as a mouthwatering introduction to the intricacies of sushi preparation and presentation.

Dig Deeper... Jiro Ono From 'Jiro Dreams Of Sushi' Is Still Serving Some Of The Best Sushi In The World
# 44 of 118 on Life-Changing Documentaries You've Got to See
# 34 of 277 on The Greatest Documentaries of All Time

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

This heart-wrenching documentary showcases the resilience of Japanese people following the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, using the cherry blossom as a symbol of hope and renewal. The film presents intimate stories of survivors grappling with loss while trying to rebuild their lives amidst the beautiful yet transient nature of cherry blossoms. Ultimately, it powerfully illustrates the human spirit's strength in the face of disaster and the deep-rooted cultural appreciation for life's fleeting beauty.

Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story

Chronicling the shocking story of Megumi Yokota, a 13-year-old girl abducted by North Korean agents in 1977, this documentary delves into the harrowing experiences of her family as they search for answers and seek justice. Through emotional interviews and archival footage, it offers a revealing look at North Korea's secretive abduction program designed to train spies in Japanese language and culture. The film raises awareness about the plight of abducted citizens, the complex geopolitics between Japan and North Korea, and the indomitable spirit of a family fighting for their loved one's return.

Pray for Japan

In the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, this documentary shines a light on the real-life heroes who stepped up to help rebuild their communities. Combining intimate interviews and observational footage, it highlights the resilience, altruism, and determination of survivors and volunteers alike. The film serves as a touching tribute to the people of Japan, showcasing their strength and unity in the face of unprecedented adversity.

The Sword Maker

Focusing on the revered art of Japanese swordsmithing, this documentary offers an intimate portrait of Yoshindo Yoshihara, a master craftsman carrying on the centuries-old traditions of his ancestors. The film provides a detailed account of the labor-intensive process behind forging a samurai blade, revealing the meticulous craftsmanship and dedication that have elevated this art form to near-mythical status. By examining the role of the sword in Japanese history and culture, the documentary underlines the importance of preserving these time-honored skills in a fast-paced modern world.

The Great Happiness Space

Venturing into the late-night world of Tokyo's host clubs, this documentary tells the story of Cafe Rakkyo, where charismatic young men cater to the fantasies and desires of female clients. By offering an insider's perspective on this unique subculture, the film peels back the layers of illusion and reveals the emotional complexities at play - both for the hosts and their customers. Straddling the line between fantasy and reality, it exposes the darker side of Japan's service industry and the fragile nature of human relationships within it.

Suicide Forest in Japan

Delving into the dark beauty and chilling mystery of Aokigahara, a dense forest at the base of Mount Fuji infamous for its high number of suicides, this documentary uncovers the tragic tales and haunting allure associated with this so-called "Sea of Trees." Through interviews with local authorities, visitors, and individuals personally affected by suicide, the film unravels the complex social and psychological factors that have turned this eerily quiet forest into a hotbed of despair. With its ethereal cinematography and thought-provoking narrative, it paints a poignant picture of a place where nature's serenity serves as a backdrop for the depths of human anguish.

Tokyo Olympiad

This classic documentary by legendary filmmaker Kon Ichikawa captures the spirit and spectacle of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the first Games held in Asia. Using innovative techniques and creative framing, Ichikawa immerses the viewer in the excitement and drama of the competitions while also highlighting the athletes' human stories. More than a mere sports documentary, it serves as a testament to the power of the Olympic Games to unite nations and inspire personal triumphs.

ANPO: Art X War

Examining the influence of Japan's post-WWII security treaty with the United States (ANPO) through the lens of art, this documentary presents the work of various Japanese artists who have used their creativity to critique and resist the political implications of the treaty. The film juxtaposes the provocative artwork with historical footage and interviews with both artists and activists, providing a multifaceted exploration of the intersection between artistic expression and political activism. At its core, it is a testament to the power of art as a form of resistance and a catalyst for social change.

The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On

Blurring the lines between documentary and drama, this film follows Kenzo Okuzaki, a World War II veteran and activist seeking to expose the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during the war. Driven by a relentless quest for truth and justice, Okuzaki confronts former comrades and superiors, revealing hidden secrets and provoking explosive reactions. Daring and controversial, it tackles the complex issue of Japan's wartime past and the collective amnesia that has allowed it to remain largely unexamined.

Ending Note: Death of a Japanese Salesman

Delicately balancing humor and pathos, this deeply personal documentary chronicles the final months of Tomoaki Sunada, a retired salesman diagnosed with terminal cancer. Directed by his daughter Mami, the film captures Sunada's determination to make the most of his remaining time by organizing his own funeral, reconnecting with family and friends, and reflecting on the meaning of life. With its candid portrayal of death and dying, it serves as a poignant meditation on the universal human experience, while providing an intimate glimpse into the often-unspoken realities of aging and end-of-life care in Japan.

Fast Future Generation

Taking viewers on a whirlwind tour of Tokyo's thriving youth culture, this documentary captures the energy and creativity of Japan's millennial generation through the eyes of British rock band Good Charlotte during their 2005 tour. Featuring interviews with young people across various subcultures - from punk rockers to street fashion aficionados - the film delves into the ways in which they navigate societal expectations while forging their own identities. As much a showcase of Japan's distinctive trends as a snapshot of a generation in flux, it offers a fascinating insight into the vibrancy, diversity, and resilience of youth in an ever-changing world.

God Speed You! Black Emperor

This raw and gritty documentary offers a rare glimpse into the world of Japan's fearsome biker gangs, known as Bosozoku, who rebel against societal norms and authority with their customized motorcycles and brazen displays of aggression. By following the exploits of the Black Emperor gang, the film provides an insider's perspective on this closed-off subculture that emerged in the 1970s as a countercultural force in defiance of Japan's strict social hierarchy. Engrossing and provocative, it captures the chaotic spirit of rebellion while examining the deep-seated frustrations and disaffection that drive young people to seek solidarity in such dangerous pursuits.

Budo: The Art of Killing

This insightful documentary delves into the depths of budo, the ancient martial way that forms the foundation of Japan's traditional combat arts such as judo, karate, and kendo. Through mesmerizing demonstrations, expert interviews, and historical context, the film explores the philosophy, techniques, and rituals that have shaped these martial disciplines for centuries. Not merely a showcase of physical prowess, it reveals the spiritual essence of budo, emphasizing the principles of self-discipline, respect, and harmony with nature.

Children Full of Life

Capturing the magic and poignancy of childhood, this heartwarming documentary follows a fourth-grade class in the Japanese city of Kanazawa as they learn valuable life lessons under the loving guidance of their inspirational teacher, Toshiro Kanamori. With a focus on empathy, friendship, and emotional intelligence, Kanamori nurtures a supportive classroom environment where students openly discuss their feelings and support one another through hardships. As much a reflection on the power of education as a celebration of the human spirit, it reminds us of the fundamental experiences and emotions that unite us all, regardless of age or nationality.

Dear Pyongyang

Exploring the complex ties between Japan and North Korea, this documentary follows filmmaker Yong-hi Yang, a daughter of pro-Pyongyang Korean residents in Japan, as she grapples with her family's divided loyalties and the impact of her father's unwavering political allegiance. Through a mix of personal interviews and archival material, the film highlights the struggles faced by Japan's Korean minority and illuminates the ideological tensions at the heart of one of Asia's most enigmatic relationships. At once intimate and thought-provoking, it is a powerful testament to the resilience of family bonds amidst the tumult of geopolitics.

A Man Vanishes

A groundbreaking work of experimental filmmaking, this documentary begins as an investigation into the baffling disappearance of Tadashi Oshima, an ordinary Japanese man who vanished without a trace. Seamlessly blending fact and fiction, director Shohei Imamura raises questions about the nature of truth, identity, and filmmaking itself, while probing the hidden undercurrents of Japanese society that may have contributed to Oshima's absence. As much a philosophical treatise as a detective story, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the elusive concept of reality.

Interview with a Cannibal

Taking us into the darkest corners of the human psyche, this chilling documentary features an exclusive interview with Issei Sagawa, a Japanese man who gained notoriety for killing and cannibalizing a fellow student in Paris in 1981. Despite the grisly subject matter, the film portrays Sagawa as a complex and conflicted individual who grapples with his own heinous actions, while also exploring the broader cultural reaction to his crime and subsequent celebrity status. Intriguing and unsettling in equal measure, it raises uncomfortable questions about society's fascination with the macabre and the blurred lines between abhorrence and fascination.

The Japanese Version

This fascinating documentary explores how American pop culture has been adapted and reinterpreted by Japan, creating a unique blend of East and West that permeates everything from television to music to fashion. Through interviews, clips, and firsthand accounts, the film delves into the ways in which Japanese creators have used American cultural imports to forge their own distinct identities and forms of expression. By examining the intricate process of cultural exchange, it reveals the resilience and creativity of Japan's artistic landscape in the face of globalization.

A Normal Life: Chronicle of a Sumo Wrestler

Offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a sumo wrestler, this intimate documentary follows the 18-year-old Takuya Ogushi as he navigates the demanding world of Japan's most iconic sport. From grueling training regimens to strict dietary rules, the film examines the physical, mental, and emotional challenges faced by these athletes, as well as the deep-rooted traditions and rituals that govern their lives. In doing so, it provides a window into a world that is at once ritualized and fiercely competitive, where strength and determination are tested to their limits.

Minamata: The Victims and Their World

This powerful documentary exposes the devastating impact of Minamata disease, a severe neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning due to industrial pollution in Japan. Through deeply moving interviews with survivors and their families, the film sheds light on the long-fought battle for justice and corporate accountability, while also examining the broader implications of environmental destruction in the name of progress. With its compassionate storytelling and unflinching commitment to truth, it serves as a stark reminder of humanity's capacity for both cruelty and resilience.

Battling the Yakuza

This gripping documentary delves into the dangerous world of Japan's infamous Yakuza crime syndicate, exploring the lives of those caught in its web – from high-ranking mob bosses to ex-gang members struggling to rebuild their lives. Through candid interviews and cinematic reenactments, the film provides a unique insight into the inner workings of a secretive criminal underworld that often operates in the shadows of Japanese society. As it exposes the human cost of vice and corruption, it also highlights the courage of those who dare to stand up to the powerful forces that rule their world.

Torn Memories of Nanjing

Delving into the traumatic legacy of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, during which thousands of Chinese civilians were brutally slaughtered by Japanese soldiers, this documentary uncovers the stories of survivors and the ongoing struggle for recognition and remembrance. Through gripping interviews, archival footage, and personal testimonies, the film explores the complex emotions and historical controversies surrounding this tragic event. Ultimately, it serves as a testament to the power of memory and the importance of bearing witness to the darkest chapters in human history.

Showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of Japan's traditional wooden farmhouses, this documentary tells the story of American journalist John Roderick and his adopted Japanese son as they work to restore a 250-year-old thatched-roof minka in rural Japan. As the pair navigate the challenges of restoration and cultural differences, the film delves into the deep-rooted values and skills that shape the architectural heritage of these ancient dwellings. With its lyrical cinematography and gentle storytelling, it celebrates the enduring spirit of craftsmanship and the rich tapestry of human connections that span generations and cultures.

Boldly tackling the issue of Japan's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, this documentary examines the political, historical, and emotional undercurrents that swirl around the site, which honors Japan's war dead – including convicted war criminals. Through interviews with shrine visitors, nationalist activists, and Chinese protesters, the film presents a multifaceted narrative that explores themes of memory, guilt, and reconciliation. By refusing to shy away from difficult questions and uncomfortable truths, it promotes dialogue and understanding across historical divides.

Rokkasho Rhapsody

Centered around the controversial construction of a nuclear reprocessing plant in Rokkasho village, this documentary explores the hopes, fears, and moral dilemmas facing the local community as they weigh the promises of economic growth against the potential dangers of nuclear power. By showcasing the perspectives of residents, politicians, and environmental activists, the film delves into the complex web of decision-making and debate that surrounds Japan's energy policies. Insightful and thought-provoking, it raises important questions about the balance between development and environmental sustainability in a rapidly evolving world.

A Trace of the Sun

Following the life and work of anti-nuclear activist Kenichi Hasegawa, who lost his home and livelihood in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, this documentary provides a powerful portrait of an individual's quest for justice and accountability. The film is both a personal journey and a broader exploration of the devastating impact of nuclear power on communities and ecosystems, offering a timely reminder of the real-life consequences of our energy choices. With its unflinching honesty and emotional weight, it serves as a wake-up call for a world dealing with the growing specter of environmental catastrophe.

Wine Road of the Samurai

Tracing the history of Koshu, a unique grape variety native to Japan, this documentary takes viewers on a centuries-old journey through the country's rich winemaking traditions and the samurai who played a crucial role in their development. By interweaving stories of historical figures, local winemakers, and the distinctive terroir of Japan's wine-producing regions, the film paints a vivid portrait of a lesser-known facet of Japanese culture. As it uncorks the captivating history of Koshu, it also celebrates the resilience and innovation that define Japan's enduring relationship with the grape.

Samurai and Idiots: The Olympus Affair

This gripping documentary delves into one of Japan's most high-profile corporate scandals – the 2011 Olympus Corporation fraud case, which exposed widespread corruption and collusion at the heart of the esteemed camera manufacturer. Through interviews with key players, dramatic reenactments, and expert analysis, the film explores the complex web of deceit and cover-ups that brought the company to its knees. Both a cautionary tale and a riveting investigation, it shines a light on the shadowy underbelly of Japan's business world and the systemic failures that allow such crimes to persist.

At the Edge of the World

This visually stunning documentary transports viewers to the remote Ogasawara Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for their unique biodiversity and pristine beauty. Through breathtaking cinematography and expert commentary, the film reveals the islands' delicate ecosystems, endemic species, and the efforts of local conservationists to protect this fragile paradise from the encroachment of human development. At once inspiring and thought-provoking, it serves as a poignant reminder of the preciousness and vulnerability of our planet's natural wonders.

Entertainment
Documentaries
Watchworthy

The best inventors, lawyers, actors, producers, and bands from Japan. Also, fun tourist attractions in Tokyo, the craziest Japanese game shows, and the best beers to drink in Japan

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Far from a standard gallery tour … Tokyo Stories, part of the Exhibition on Screen strand

Tokyo Stories review – artistic immersion into the city’s creative life

The Exhibition on Screen documentary series delves into the boundless energy of the Japanese megalopolis

H aving achieved impressive box office results with its Vermeer film , the Exhibition on Screen strand makes bit of a detour from its comfort zone with its latest film: an overview of artistic takes on Japan’s megalopolis and capital city, ranging from Edo-era paintings to street performance events. Having established itself by largely focusing on the golden eras of art history, dominated by the big names of the Renaissance and the late 19th century, here the net is spread to include contemporary artists who will be (mostly) not especially familiar to non-devotees. And while the conduit for the film is the Tokyo: Art & Photography exhibition staged by Oxford’s Ashmolean museum in 2021, this is far from a standard gallery tour: the approach is near-total immersion in Tokyo itself, along with a series of interviews with a string of practitioners including “girly photographer” Mika Ninagawa, veteran pop-era painter Keiichi Tanaami, and representatives of a wacky collective called Chim-Pom.

The results are as handsome as ever, with the film dominated by spectacular photography of Tokyo’s urban landscape in all its glory. For rather obvious reasons, not much of the city survives from before the second world war, but there are traces of ancient Japan to be seen, and accounts – through 17th-century depictions of the marshy, sparsely populated locale – of the embryonic Edo before it became the fortress of the Tokugawa shogunate. These days we are of course much more familiar with the Blade Runner-esque city of glowing neon and retrofitted chaos, but Tokyo as shown here seems to have moved on again, with plenty of pristine new-builds and fancy monuments.

How much you respond to this film will, no doubt, depend on your response to the artists involved; they all come across as approachable, enthusiastic and articulate. You can see, though, that this is a riskier film for Exhibition on Screen than, say, Leonardo: The Works or Van Gogh’s Sunflowers – or even those on more shadowy figures such as Mary Cassatt or Edward Hopper. Even so, there’s a lot to hold the interest here, with the overarching sense of a city of boundless creative energy.

Documentary films
Asia Pacific

12 Netflix Shows to Watch Before Coming to Japan

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.

Sumo Tours in Tokyo

Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant tour, 3. old enough, 4. the makanai: cooking for the maiko house, 5. midnight diner: tokyo stories, 6. samurai gourmet, 7. street food: asia (episode osaka, japan), 8. terrace house, 9. aggretsuko, 10. queer eye: we’re in japan, 12. million yen women, japan wonder travel tours , other articles you might enjoy, 1. sanctuary.

This action-packed series tells the story of a hard-headed sumo wrestler bound to make an impact on the traditional sport in his own unconventional way. Enno, the main character of Sanctuary , joins the world of sumo as a means to make money for his struggling family, not knowing the ins and outs of the sport. As he continues his journey in this new endeavor, he faces adversity and challenges due to his rebellious nature which does not suit this traditional aspect of Japanese culture. Follow Enno throughout this lively series to see how he fares within a world different from his own.

Interested in seeing actual sumo wrestling? Check out our Sumo Morning Practice tour in Tokyo ! It’s a unique experience where you will be just feet away from the wrestlers as they go through their daily routine. Have a look below for more information.

2. The Days

Based on the actual Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, The Days tells the story of this chilling natural disaster that struck Fukushima , Japan on March 11th, 2011. This series focuses on the perspective of the power plant station’s workers giving us viewers an inside look into this tragic event. Sit on the edge of your seat as the tsunami crashes into the power plant leaving the nuclear reactor in critical condition. How will Masao Yoshida, the plant manager, lead his team to overcome this challenge faced with a ticking time clock? Sit on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds.

Learn more about the Fukushima area and the disaster, as well as take a trip to the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on our guided tour of the Fukushima disaster area!

▼We also have a shortened 1-Day Tour for those interested:

Fukushima Exclusion Zone Day Tour from Tokyo

When you need something to get done, your first instinct probably isn’t to ask your toddler to accomplish the task. Well, in Old Enough! , that’s exactly what is happening. Unknowingly being filmed and monitored by the tv crew, these determined young kids are sent off on their first-ever chore by their busy parents. While they face many struggles and bumps in the road, these children as young as one year old try their best to impress mom and dad and gain their first taste of independence. Watch as their impressionable brains work hard to figure out what to do when they face a challenge. Will they be able to meet their parents’ expectations?

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 Fish Market Tour @Tsukiji – Enjoy Local Food and Drink 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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Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho Piss Alley during the day

3 TV Shows to Watch Before Your Japan Trip

They say preparation for a big trip is half the fun. I love browsing travel magazines, reading travel blogs, and watching TV shows that talk about the next big destination I will be visiting. Especially for a long-haul trip like to Japan, it is great to get some inspiration before booking the trip so I know what kind of sights and experiences to look for in a tour or tour package. Luckily, there are many TV shows about all kinds of subjects that have featured Japan. What are some of the best TV shows to watch before you travel to Japan to get you in the mood?

TV shows about Japan often feature Japanese symbols like these dancing cranes in Hokkaido

Joanna Lumley’s Japan (tour through Japan)

This lovely 3-part series shows a curious Joanna Lumley who travels all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa in an amazing journey past many of Japan’s most beautiful sights and cultural curiosities. Japan’s unspoiled nature features heavily in the series, and you are going to want to get off the beaten path to immerse yourself in the natural bounty the country has to offer to find your inner peace.

We organize tours that include pristine nature as seen in the series in Hokkaido and Kyushu .

You can watch Joanna Lumley’s Japan here .

Netflix Shows : Midnight Diner

In this cute, somewhat nostalgic series you will be told somebody’s private story in each episode while they are eating at a place called Meshiya which simply means ‘meal shop’ in Japanese. It is the humanity in the stories that make the series interesting, and the typical Japanese vistas and cultural elements you will see will make you want to dive deeper.

The very Japanese dishes that are cooked during the story will definitely induce your appetite, each episode focuses on the dish that is requested by the person whose story you will hear. Most of the dishes are typical home-cooked meals that you won’t find in an average Japanese restaurant abroad, so be prepared to learn a lot more about Japanese cooking while watching this heart-warming series.

We organize tours that include Shinjuku , the area where the story takes place.

You can watch Midnight Diner on Netflix .

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

In season 2, episode 7 the late Anthony Bourdain takes you to the underbelly of Tokyo in his famous series where gourmet food plays a central role. Tokyo’s most interesting and extreme subcultures also play a prominent part in the episode, and Mr. Bourdain makes his viewers wonder whether what antics you see displayed in the underworld of Tokyo are really that different from what goes on behind closed doors and in the back of our minds in other parts of the world. The connection with the perfectionism of high-end Japanese sushi chefs is also made, as nowhere in the world are chefs so serious about the tiniest detail and the honing of a skill until it is nothing but perfect.

We organize tours that include off-beat locations in Tokyo like in the Parts Unknown Tokyo episode.

You can watch Parts Unknown, Tokyo here .

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including destinations you have seen in TV series or movies. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

TV Shows & Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan

Created On: April 17, 2020 | Updated: January 5, 2024 | 1 Comment

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from which we may make commission from. As always, we only recommend places and products we love! In addition, we try our best to keep our articles up-to-date with current prices, locations, and hours of operation however we always recommend double-checking when planning a trip as these items can change frequently.

TV Shows & Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan

Have you run out of things to watch on your favorite streaming services? We’ve got you covered!

We’ve created a massive list of TV shows and movies that inspire travel to Japan. Some you’ve probably seen before, but others will hopefully be new to you! There is something for everyone to enjoy from dramas to documentaries to cooking shows and some family-friendly movies too!

Psst , before we get started, most of these TV shows and movies set in Japan have English options but if they are originally in Japanese we recommend watching the subtitled version if possible. 🙂

Drama Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan

Seven samurai.

This is the oldest film we have on our list but it’s still an amazing one to include. In this epic drama, you’re transported back to 1586. There you’ll follow the story of a farming village that hires seven masterless samurai to fight off a group of bandits who are stealing their crops. If you like historical dramas, definitely add this one to your list!

Where to Watch: MAX

ISLE OF DOGS

Wes Anderson does it again with this unique stop-motion animated film, Isle of Dogs. In a dystopian future, all canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to Trash Island, fittingly named after the piles of waste and garbage found here.

But, 12-year-old Atari is having none of that. He takes off alone to Trash Island in his Junior-Turbo Prop plane to find Spots, his bodyguard doggo. While on Trash Island he befriends several other forgotten dogs in a journey that takes them across the island, a journey that eventually determines the future of Megasaki City.

Where to Watch: Disney+

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Lost in Translation isn’t a Japanese film but it is set in Tokyo and has been somewhat of an inspiration to American tourism to Japan. The movie explores modern Japanese society and the themes of loneliness and culture shock.

It stars Bill Murray as Bob, a “washed up” aging movie star, and Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte, a young newlywed who finds herself uncertain in her new marriage. Together, Bob and Charlotte form a meaningful bond.

Where to Watch: Rent from Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube

Sweet Bean is centered around Sentaro, a middle-aged man who owns a small dorayaki shop outside of Tokyo. When he begins looking to hire someone to assist with his workload he is approached by Tokue, a woman in her seventies that claims she has always wanted to work in a dorayaki shop.

At first, Sentaro is uncertain because of her age but when he tries the sweet bean paste she makes, he realizes that it’s better than anything he’s ever had before. This film is very touching but pulls at the heartstrings too as it takes you through the twists and turns in Sentaro and Tokue’s lives.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription), Vudu

Romance Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan

Memoirs of a geisha.

You’ve probably heard of Memoirs of a Geisha and already read the book or seen this movie, based on the book. I was hesitant to put Memoirs of a Geisha on this list because of the bad history between author Arther Golden and Mineko Iwasaki, whom he interviewed when writing his book. Although the story isn’t a complete personal memoir of her life, he did use parts of her story that she told him in privacy.

However, I am including it because it is an inspiring film that features many beautiful places in Japan. But, when watching, disregard some of the sexual connotations in the film because that is NOT a part of geisha or maiko culture. For more issues with this story read more here .

The beginning of the film takes you to the 1920s when 9-year-old Chiyo and her sister Satsu are sold into a life of servitude by their father. Chiyo is taken to a geisha house in Gion that is run by Kayoko Nitta, the proprietress of the house.

The story follows Chiyo in her transformation into Sayuri, the most captivating geisha of her time, and later to World War II plus the struggles during and after the war.

Where to Watch: Rent from Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu

READ MORE : Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

THE RAMEN GIRL

The Ramen Girl is a romantic comedy that stars Brittany Murphy as a young girl who becomes stranded in Tokyo after a rough breakup with her boyfriend. Unsure of what her next move is, she finds herself in a ramen shop where she then trains to become a chef. The movie is a little cheesy, but is still cute!

Where to Watch: Tubi

Documentaries and Docuseries That Inspire Travel to Japan

The birth of sake.

The Birth of Sake focuses on the Tedorigawa Brewery which is over 144 years old. It shows the behind-the-scenes of the intense labor and craft needed to produce sake – a brewing process that happens during the winter.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

JAMES MAY: OUR MAN IN JAPAN

If you want to see several unique places to visit in Japan AND enjoy some funny humor you’ll love James May: Our Man in Japan.

This travel documentary takes viewers from northern Japan to southern Japan featuring activities of samurai sword-making, karaoke, Kanamara Matsuri fertility festival, sumo wrestling, a traditional tea ceremony, and viewing the Shiki-shima luxury train where tickets cost $3,000-$10,000!

THE TSUNAMI AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom is a touching documentary that follows survivors of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami as they prepare for Japan’s infamous sakura (cherry blossom) season which resembles hope and beauty.

Where to Watch: Vimeo , YouTube

JAPANESE STYLE ORIGINATOR

Japanese Style Originator is originally a show on Tokyo TV but has been adapted for Netflix. It’s a great intro to Japanese TV and walks viewers through Japanese traditions, cuisine, culture, and the arts. I like this one because each episode is very specific and it has fun facts and trivia along the way!

Where to Watch: Netflix (This show has sadly been taken off but we hope it will come back!)

PRIME JAPAN

If you are interested in learning the basics about Japanese culture, cuisine, and more, Prime Japan walks viewers through many concepts such as aesthetics, ramen, technology, confectionery, ryokan, and more. Although I found the Western narrator to be a bit rigid, the rest of the show makes up for it!

Japanology is a series that shares life and culture in Japan while interviewing experts in different areas. This is a terrific show to learn more about Japanese culture, life, food, religion, and more!

Where to Watch: NHK , YouTube

Food Related Shows & Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan

Chef’s table.

Each episode of Chef’s Table concentrates on a different world-renowned chef as they share personal details from their lives and inspiring culinary skills and cooking styles. Episode 4 is all about Niki Nakayama, a Japanese-American chef who owns n/naka , a Michelin-starred restaurant in Los Angeles that focuses on kaiseki-style dining.

Where to Watch: Netflix

MIDNIGHT DINER: TOKYO STORIES

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories focuses on human connection through food in the late evening at Meshiya, a small diner in Tokyo. Despite the strange hours of this diner (12am-7am) people flock for the comfort food and companionship of the restaurant’s owner. Though the stories are fictional you’ll find yourself laughing with the characters and wanting to follow their journeys. It is by far one of my favorite Japanese TV shows.

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI

If you’re already considering a trip to Japan, you’ve probably heard of world-renowned chef Jiro Ono. Jiro is a 94-year-old chef who owns Sukiyabashi Jiro, a sushi restaurant with three Michelin stars (the highest honor a restaurant can achieve).

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary that follows Jiro’s restaurant and life along with his two sons, who have followed their father’s footsteps and are also sushi chefs in Tokyo. Even if you aren’t a sushi fan, you’ll find yourself entranced with this film.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Peacock, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video

STREET FOOD: ASIA

Street Food is centered around chefs, and their specialty dishes, and even gives a sneak peek into their lives. The entire street food series is amazing but episode 2 is all about Osaka, Japan’s kitchen. We’ve spent a lot of time in Osaka and eaten at a ton of different restaurants but not the ones that are in this episode!

READ MORE : Where to Eat in Osaka: Dotonbori Street Food & Restaurants

SAMURAI GOURMET

Based on an essay and manga of the same name, Samurai Gourmet is a slice-of-life series that revolves around Takeshi Kasumi, a retired man who seeks meaning and rediscovers the joy of eating and drinking. In doing so, he discovers his inner persona – a samurai living freely in the age of Japan’s civil wars.

SACHIE’S KITCHEN

Sachie’s Kitchen takes views on a culinary journey through Japanese cuisine including dishes like Japanese BBQ, ramen, sweets, pickled vegetables, rice, and more. Throughout each episode, Sachie shows highlights of a foodie area of Japan and then takes a break in her kitchen in New Zealand to show you how to prepare a few specialty dishes.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS

Anthony Bourdain will always be an inspiration for us to travel more and step out of our comfort zone. In No Reservations, he goes on a global quest for culinary hotspots and interesting travel spots. During the series, he gives perspective on local culture, customs, and dining.

List of Episodes Featuring Japan

Asia Special: China & Japan – Season 2 Episode 1
Osaka – Season 2 Episode 7
Tokyo – Season 4 Episode 16
Hokkaido – Season 7 Episode 8
Japan Cook it Raw – Season 8 Episode 5

Where to Watch: Apple TV or YouTube TV (rental)

ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN

After his successful series, No Reservations Bourdain hosted a new series titled Parts Unknown. As he explores the world the goal of No Reservations is to “eat and drink with people without fear and prejudice … [and] open up to you in ways that somebody visiting who is driven by a story may not get.”

He tries to open viewers to places that they may have never seen before on television or considered visiting in real life while also rediscovering popular places.

Tokyo – Season 2 Episode 7
Okinawa – Season 6 Episode 3
Japan with Masa – Season 8 Episode 7

Where to Watch: YouTube TV, MAX, Amazon Prime Video (Premium), Hulu (Premium)

Reality TV Shows in Japan

So I’ll have to admit, none of these may inspire Japan travel, but they’re interesting, touching, and funny nonetheless so I simply had to include them!

TERRACE HOUSE

Similar to the concept of the hit TV series Big Brother, Terrace House follows the lives of six strangers who move into a house together for a summer. Members of Terrace House discover romances and friendship as they live their everyday lives. This one has become super popular and there are several seasons to watch!

QUEER EYE: WE’RE IN JAPAN!

The “Fab Five” style experts travel to Japan to explore Japanese culture and spread joy. This is such a nice feel-good show that gives you glimpses of Japanese culture but mostly focuses on four Japanese men and women finding the confidence they need to be themselves.

Anime Shows & Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan

There are several fabulous anime TV shows and movies that aren’t listed here, but I wanted to focus on the ones that I felt would best inspire you to visit Japan. However, if you are looking for more Japanese anime to watch, we’d be happy to give you lots of recommendations! 🙂

Akira is a Japanese cult classic film that is considered to be one of the most highly regarded animated films ever made. The beginning of film is set in July of 1988 when the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo as a cover-up for their ESP experiments on children.

By 2019, Tokyo will be rebuilt but will be plagued by corruption, gang violence, and protests. The film centers around Kaneda, a bike gang leader, and his friend Tetsuo who has been taken in for testing of supernatural abilities and secret government projects.

Where to Watch: Hulu

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION

Another cult classic Japanese anime is Neon Genesis Evangelion which came out in 1995. It is so popular that additional films and revival episodes have been created and it is one of the most iconic anime of all time. The original show focuses on a fifteen-year-old boy named Shinji Ikari who is summoned to visit his estranged father, Gendo who is the director of a secret paramilitary force called Nerv.

Nerv was created to fight what are known as Angels, a monster set on destroying the world. Alongside some other counterparts, Shinji is synced with one of Nerv’s Evangelion bio-machines as they are the only weapons capable of fighting the Angels and his fight for humanity begins.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video (revival)

KIMI NO NA WA (YOUR NAME)

Kimi No Na Wa is one of the most beautiful animated films of all time. It surrounds the stories of Mitsuha Miyamizu, a teenage girl living in the mountainous Itomori area of Japan, and Taki Tachibana, a teenage boy living in Tokyo.

Mitsuha is bored with the monotony of her seemingly isolated country life and makes a wish to become a handsome city boy in her next life. She and Taki begin switching bodies intermittently (kind of like a Freaky Friday situation) and they discover that they are falling for one another but when they decide to meet in person, things get complicated.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video , Crunchyroll

SPIRITED AWAY

Spirited Away is one of my favorite Ghibli films. It features Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who is moving from her home with her parents. On the way to their new house, they find what is seemingly an abandoned amusement park.

While exploring the park, Chihiro’s parents are turned into pigs. Chihiro then meets Haku, who tells her that the park is for spiritual beings and that to save herself and her parents she must work for Yubaba, the witch that owns the bathhouse resort.

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO

My Neighbor Totoro is the beloved animated tale that follows two sisters Satsuki and Mei as they move to a mysterious country cottage with their father while their mother recovers from an illness in the hospital. While exploring the woods by their home, they find Totoro a massive cuddly forest spirit.

Also, if I can add, ALL Ghibli films are phenomenal so if you find yourself wanting more after watching Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro, here’s a list of more favorites .

IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD

This is a sobering, yet beautiful love story set in Hiroshima 10 years before and after the atomic bomb. Though the story is fictional, it has many real stories and facts woven into the narrative. The plot revolves around Suzu, an 18-year-old girl quiet, kind girl who loves drawing.

While working for her family business she is told that a young naval officer named Shusaku from a nearby city is planning to propose to her. Though he appears to her as a stranger, he remembers her from a time when they met as children and has always wanted to return to her since.

The two are married and navigate through their new love, war, death, and many other hardships. Suzu finds strength in herself in many ways and the film has a very beautiful message – this is one of my favorites.

Where to Watch: Free on Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, Peacock, Sling TV

THE GARDEN OF WORDS

The Garden of Words is a Japanese drama film that focuses on 15-year-old Takao Akizuki, an aspiring shoemaker and Yukari Yukino, a mysterious 27-year-old whom he finds himself always runs into at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo.

The two form a unique connection and friendship as they begin sharing their struggles, goals, and accomplishments with each other. Each element of this movie has been beautifully chosen from the art to the music.

Where to Watch: Apple TV

MISS HOKUSAI

The beginning of Miss Hokusai is set in 1814, during the Edo period of Japan. It centers around the life and works of Japanese artist and ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai, from the viewpoint of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei.

Where to Watch: Rental on YouTube TV, Apple TV, Prime Video

Anohana is the story of six friends who grew apart but are reunited due to one special person. The story focuses on mainly Jinta Yadomi who is a recluse who skips school to stay home and play video games. But, things change when his childhood friend Menma appears and asks him to grant a forgotten wish.

He believes he is hallucinating due to the summer heat because Menma died a few years ago and decides to ignore her request. His mind is later changed when he continues to see her ghost. He begins to convince the rest of their childhood friends to help fulfill her wish so her spirit can finally rest.

So there you have it! Just a few options to get you crushing on Japan. Let us know which ones you enjoy!

Looking for movie and tv show ideas to watch while in quarantine or social distancing? This massive list includes TV shows and movies that inspire travel to Japan! There are documentaries, cooking shows, Japanese reality TV, and even family-friendly Japanese movies.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply, comments & reviews.

skaizun says

September 7, 2023

There was an animated series about an American family who visited Japan and tried all kinds of Japanese foods. It was based on the true story written by the American author. Any idea what it was called?

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30 Best Travel Documentaries & Series To Watch

by Jonny Duncan
October 20, 2023 December 7, 2023

We all need a bit of travel inspiration and these are some of the best travel documentaries that will give you some wanderlust, and understanding, of the regions of the world involved.

These are my favourite travel documentaries and series that have inspired my travels.

Disclaimer: I own none of the images in this post, they are used under fair-usage terms to discuss the travel documentaries.

Himalaya With Michael Palin (2004)

Michael Palin is my all-time favourite travel presenter, writer, and hell, just an awesome person in general and his travel documentaries are some of the best you can watch.

His sense of humour, interest in the places he visits, how he interacts with the local people, and the way he presents himself is what makes this travel journey one of the best.

Add to that epic Himalayan scenery and adventure and you have the perfect combination for the best travel documentary.

You can watch it here as well as some of his other travel documentaries.

The Endless Summer (1966)

endless summer best travel documentaries

Surfs up! And also lots of fun, fun, fun, in the sun.

Set in the mid-sixties it follows two surfers from California as they travel around the world, including countries like South Africa, Australia, and Ghana, in search of the ‘perfect wave’.

It’s very laid back to watch and entertaining and a good insight into surfer travels in the sixties.

I would love to hit up some of the waves they found! If you want one of the best travel documentaries based around surfing and beaches then watch this.

Watch it online here .

Encounters at the End of the World (2009)

encounters at the end of the world travel documentary

Want some cold weather viewing, beautiful scenery in the vast expanse of Antarctica, and some fun with scientists? This is it.

Filmmaker Werner Herzog tackles this perfectly, exploring the desolate and vast wilderness of Antarctica around the US base of McMurdo Station, and the people who live and work there.

This will make you want to go to a remote and cold place.

Watch it here .

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013 – 2018)

Anthony Bourdain was one of my travel heroes. He died in 2018. His style of reporting and meeting the people he visits around the world and coming together around a common theme worldwide, food, brought a personal approach to the travel genre.

Parts Unknown is one of the best travel documentaries to watch for food.

The other series with Anthony Bourdain exploring world cuisine, such as No Reservations is also worth watching.

See it on Netflix here .

Under An Arctic Sky (2017)

This is a short travel documentary coming in at only 40 minutes, but worth the watch for sure.

I had been recommended this by a fellow travel blogger and was glad about it.

It’s beautifully shot in Iceland in winter, following a group of surfers looking for (as usual) the perfect waves.

But a storm comes through during this time and they have to outrun it.

The first time surfers have been filmed under the Northern Lights.

This has made me want to return to Iceland again to explore more of the country in the Arctic darkness.

See what it’s like surfing under the Northern Lights !

Sahara With Michael Palin (2002)

Yes, another Michael Palin travel documentary. I can’t help it his journeys are just so good.

This time he’s out exploring the Sahara Desert, getting into remote adventures with tribal nomads, and so much more.

This will inspire you for a desert adventure.

Watch the epic Sahara journey here .

180° South (2010)

180° South follows Jeff Johnson, an adventurer who travels across South America to Patagonia to visit the places that Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins had visited in 1968, two people who had inspired him.

Easily one of the best travel documentaries about South America to see.

Chasing Coral (2017)

Chasing Coral is a documentary for anyone interested in the ocean and, given the title, especially coral reefs.

It follows scientists and divers who explore the coral areas to see why they are disappearing and to explain it all to you. A good conservationist documentary as well as one for travel to these beautiful parts of the world.

Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Australia (1996)

Billy Connolly is one of the great all-time stand-up comedians.

He also travels a lot and his ‘world tour’ series has taken him to lots of different countries around the world, with Australia being the best.

It’s a combination of him exploring Australia and what is there, with a great sense of humour for everything, as well as some short clips of his stand-up performances in each area he visits with views and opinions about his experience in Australia.

A must-see travel documentary for anyone interested in Australia with a very amusing outlook on travel there.

It ain’t cheap but if you’re a Billy Connolly fan, or want to give a gift to someone who is, this is the Billy Connolly box set of all his world tours.

Dark Tourist (2018)

For some people (myself included) there’s a strange and weird fascination with some of the ‘darker’ tourist spots to visit and dark tourism has become more popular.

From nuclear disaster zone tours to death-worshipping cults, this travel documentary covers them all.

It can be disturbing given the tragedy behind some of the events, but it is history, and it is part of humanity.

To escape the ‘normal’ tourist spots this will give you an idea of an alternative travel experience.

Right or wrong it is fascinating.

See it on Netflix .

Given (2016)

This is such a unique and refreshing take on a travel documentary as it’s narrated by a six-year-old boy.

It follows a family from Kauai (part of Hawaii) on a journey through 15 countries around the world.

This a really good insight into family travel and the life-teaching experiences travel can have on young children.

Watch their website for the documentary.

Stephen Fry In America (2009)

Stephen Fry in America travel documentary

Stephen Fry is one of my favourite comedians and in this travel series, he travels across the U.S. in search of what makes America.

Just like Billy Connolly and Michael Palin, there is lots of humour involved.

It gives a great insight into American culture.

This is one of the best travel documentaries to watch if planning a trip to the United States.

Watch here .

The Eagle Huntress (2016)

One of those interested in Central Asia travel, this documentary is about a 13-year-old Kazakh girl called Aisholopan who wants to be an eagle hunter, the first female in her family for twelve generations to do it.

Beautiful scenery and an inspiring story make this a spellbinding travel documentary to watch.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2010)

Have an interest in sushi and Japanese food? Then this is the ultimate travel documentary for you.

It follows an 85-year-old sushi master called Jiro Ono and how he makes some of the best sushi in the world and tries to teach his son the way and the family business.

It’s one of the best documentaries about Japan to watch.

Baraka (1992)

Out of all the travel documentaries, this is one of the older ones but it has aged well. It’s also one of the most beautiful travel documentaries to watch.

The tagline is “A world beyond worlds”, and after watching it you will see why.

There is no narrative, just epic films from all over the world showing natural environments, cities and everything else.

Personally, I remember watching this in the 90s and being inspired to see the places it showed.

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2010)

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is another Werner Herzog travel documentary that is absolutely brilliant if you have an interest in cold places and Siberia in particular.

It follows the people in a remote village in the Siberian Taiga region and shows the repeated way of life in how they deal with living in a harsh cold environment. It includes footage of some of the native Ket people as well.

Tawai: A Voice From The Forest (2017)

Out of all the travel documentaries, this is one of the best ones taking a look at indigenous people around the world.

Adventurer Bruce Parry explores the forests of the Amazon and Borneo, as well as the Isle of Skye in Scotland where he looks at the ways the native people get on with the nature around them.

Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (2019)

Nomad is yet again another one with Werner Herzog and this time it’s a much more personal one.

His good friend Bruce Chatwin, who was a well-known travel writer, died of AIDS in 1989 he left Werner his rucksack as a parting gift. Thirty Years after his death Werner heads out to explore places inspired by his friend’s travel life.

Maidentrip (2013)

Maidentrip will make you want to get a yacht and go on an adventure around the world! It’s about a 14-year-old sailor who leaves home for a 2-year journey around the world alone to become the youngest person to ever achieve such a task.

This is one of the best travel documentaries not just about yachting and boats but also about the determination of the human spirit to achieve something great.

Travel Man (2015 Onwards)

Travel Man is a great travel documentary series where each episode host Richard Ayoade visits a new city with a different celebrity to explore what the city has to offer in the way of tourist attractions and other things.

Lots of fun to watch and one of the best recent travel documentaries to see.

Fishpeople (2017)

Fishpeople is a group of stories about various individuals who have dedicated their lives to the sea. It includes a long-distance swimmer, surfers, and many more.

This is one to watch if you have an interest in anything related to life with the ocean.

Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands (2013 – 2016)

If you love Scotland or really want to go there then this is the ultimate Scottish travel series for you. The presenter is Paul Murton and he explores all around the Scottish Isles.

He also has other shows such as the Grand Tour of Scotland and Grand Tour of Scotlands Lochs. He really gets into the culture of Scotland.

Backpackingman note: I am of Scottish ancestry with my great-grandfather being a proper Scotsman from Aberdeen and I have visited Scotland a few times now and can highly recommend this series.

Rick Steves’ Europe (2000 – Onwards)

Rick Steves’ Europe is one of the longest-running travel documentary series out there, if not the longest.

Given the title of the show, it follows Rick as he travels around Europe showing everything the place has to offer. The series from 2018 focuses on Scotland so goes nicely with the Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands mentioned above.

Desert Runners (2013)

Desert Runners is the ultimate documentary about people who run in some of the harshest environments and in this case the desert.

But the twist to this story is that it explores a group of people who join the hardest ultra-marathon race series on the planet and none of them are professional runners.

Watch this one if you have an interest in deserts and running.

Down To Earth (2020)

Down To Earth is a travel documentary series on Netflix that follows actor Zac Efron to different parts of the world where he looks at the sustainability efforts of each destination.

For example, in Iceland, he learns about the efforts to use the natural energy of Earth for power.

Magical Andes (2020 – Onwards)

Magical Andes a travel documentary series is set in South America and takes a look at the Andes Mountain range, from the mountains themselves to the deserts, forests, and everything else that surrounds them

Highly recommended if you’ve ever wanted to visit South America and in particular the Andes region.

Expedition Happiness (2017)

Expedition Happiness follows a couple who get an old school bus and then drive throughout North America with their dog.

The couple is so lovely it’s worth watching just to see them and their life.

Free Solo (2018)

Free Solo follows Alex Honnold, a professional rock climber, as he attempts to be the first person to free solo climb El Capitan’s rock face.

It’s set in Yosemite National Park and is thrilling to watch not just for the action but also for the scenery. Watch this documentary if you are interested in mountain travel and rock climbing as a sport.

The Dawn Wall (2017)

Following on from Free Solo, The Dawn Wall is also set in Yosemite National Park, and this time follows Tommy Caldwell, a free climber, who tried to climb the Dawn Wall of El Capitan.

As with Free Solo, watch this one for mountains.

Mountain (2017)

The Mountain is one of the best travel documentaries about mountains and is breathtaking to watch.

It explores mountains around the world and tells at the same time the history between humans and mountains.

Notable Mention: BBC Planet Earth 1+2 (2006 + 2016)

The BBC Planet Earth series is absolutely beautifully filmed and epic to watch.

In each episode, they explore different parts of the planet, such as deserts, mountains, oceans, forests, etc.

There are also other travel documentaries by the BBC, like The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, and a lot more. Each one shows a different side of our planet.

These will get you wanting to get out and see the world!

The Best Travel Documentaries

And that’s the list of the best travel documentaries that will hopefully give you some inspiration for your own travels.

Interested in more travel-related movies? Check out 10 movies to watch before travelling to Japan .

You can find some of the older travel documentaries on places like YouTube. In fact, YouTube is a great place to find new and old travel documentaries in general.

And for some travel reading 20 books to read set in the Arctic and Antarctic .

If you liked this article about the best travel documentaries a share would be appreciated :

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Hi Jonny, this is Christian from Germany I pic you up from Zagreb 2008 and we travel to Germany by car. Later I visit you in Amsterdam. My speciality is Africa. Like to contact you again cause I cannot find you anymore on Couchsurfing. May I ask for your PM adress? see you Christian

Dark Tourist is the best part of this post ..

Oh, It’s too good. I like this blog very much I also bookmark this.

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The 9 Best Travel Documentary Series Worth Watching

I love travelling and I love watching documentaries so put the two together and it’s a match made in heaven. I can be transported away from the comfort of my living room and see places that I hope I will be able to travel to one day! If you want to do the same then carry on reading to discover my best travel documentary series worth watching (and if there’s any others that you’d suggest I watch next, please let me know in the comments!).

The best travel documentary series I would recommend

Dark Tourist – Netflix

I had to include a Dark Tourist review as I love that this series is a new take on travel – it explores the premise of dark tourism, visiting places that are associated with death and/or tragedy (although strangely the theme tune is quite upbeat!). My favourite episode is the one in Japan, where David Ferrier visits areas with high radiation following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, as well as Aokigahara Forest which is a well-documented suicide spot, and the abandoned Hashima Island (pictured above). The whole episode is intriguing and eerie, and the rest of the series is very interesting too. I really enjoyed it and David Ferrier is very likeable, so I can only hope for a Dark Tourist season 2.

Travel Man – Channel 4

What I like about this series is that it focuses on spending 48 hours in a city, so it’s quite fast paced and gives you an oversight of the best things to do if you have a limited amount of time in a location. Richard Ayoade is rather quirky and a bit awkward, and it’s funny watching him interact with a different celebrity guest on each episode. There are 9 series so far and there’s lots of episodes I am yet to see, however all of the episodes I have seen have been based in European cities. I think that is why I enjoy it as I find it quite relatable, I’ve been on several short breaks away in Europe and I like to do my research and get inspiration of places to go in advance, and this gives some great ideas.

Best Travel Documentary Series - Cruise ship at sunset

Cruising with Jane McDonald – Channel 5

My parents and I love to watch Jane McDonald – she has such a fun and warm personality and some of her reactions to things make us all laugh. In fact we love watching her so much that my Dad will regularly text me to tell me when an episode is about to start! She has made a lot of different programmes, but in my opinion the best travel documentary series by her is Cruising with Jane McDonald. Not only do you get to see all the amazing destinations she goes to, but you get to tour around the different cruise ships as well. I have only been on a cruise ship once, but it was an experience I will never forget. She goes on cruises all over the world, so there’s destinations to suit every viewer’s interests. I recently read that she had left the series but that lockdown has made her re-evaluate and that she will now be making them again – hoping that’s true!

Joanna Lumley’s Japan – ITV / Amazon Prime

Joanna has done a range of different travel series, however I enjoyed Japan the most as it has always been somewhere that has interested me (probably why I loved the Dark Tourist episode on Japan so much too) and she shows rural Japan, not just the well-known places like Tokyo. For me the main draw with her programmes is how she comes across – her soft spoken manner, the way she can romantisise anything – she just seems like a delight to meet and I find her quite mesmorising! Sadly I don’t think this is available on the ITV Hub (some of her other series definitely are though), it is on Amazon now but that does involve paying for it if you’re not a Prime subscriber.

Best Travel Documentary Series - Las Vegas at night

Travels with my Father – Netflix

One of my favourite Netflix series, this sees comedian Jack Whitehall and his dad Michael travel to various places around the world. I was a fan of Jack anyway but I love watching the father and son dynamic between them, and there are lots of laugh out loud moments. There was one episode in Las Vegas which will always stay with me though, where Jack and his dad have a heart to heart and he says to his dad “home is wherever you are” – cue emotional crying from me. Series 4 got released a few weeks ago and has gone straight on my must-watch list (I would have started it sooner but I’m halfway through about four different programmes right now!). Travels with my Father is the perfect mixture of a travel documentary series with comedy and heartfelt family moments thrown in.

Gordon, Gino, and Fred: Road Trip – ITV

For anyone who hasn’t heard of this previously, there are two series so far where chefs Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo, and French maître d’hôtel, Fred Sirieix, go on road trips together. They all have such different personalities yet somehow make the best of friends and have lots of funny moments. In the first series they go to their home countries of Italy, France and Scotland, and in the second series they go to Mexico and the US. A third series was due this year but has been postponed due to Covid. As they all have jobs related to cooking and hospitality, there is a big focus on them trying out food and drink as well as cooking themselves, so it is a great choice for foodies who like to explore the local cuisines of the places they travel to.

An Idiot Abroad – Sky One / Amazon Prime

These series are quite old now (2010-2012) but are still some of the funniest things I’ve ever watched so I had to include them in my best travel documentary series list. I think at some points I even cried from laughter as I just adore Karl Pilkington and his dry sense of humour so much! They originally aired on Sky, but I think are only available on Amazon now. Series 1 focuses on the seven wonders of the world, Series 2 is about bucket list activities, and Series 3 ‘The Short Way Round’ sees him travelling with Warwick Davis. You get to see lots of well-known destinations, but the uniqueness of An Idiot Abroad is him sharing his blunt opinions, often with a deadpan expression. He has some hilarious catch-ups with Ricky Gervais on the phone too, and all in all, I would just recommend watching anything that features Karl Pilkington!

Best Travel Documentary Series - Alaska mountain

The Kindness Diaries – Netflix

I have only seen Season 2 of this which starts with Leon Logothetis in Alaska, who has no money and no food, only a VW Beetle. He wants to prove kindness can change the world, by travelling all the way to Argentina with only help from strangers along the way. He also picks someone in each episode who has touched his heart, and rewards them in some way. It is heartwarming to see evidence that there are still nice people in the world, when there is so much negativity. There is definitely more of a focus on human interaction in this, than the actual travel destinations themselves, but it is a good pick-me-up for days when you feel like the human race is doomed.

Down to Earth – Netflix

This series follows Zac Efron and his friend Darin Olien around the world to check out various sustainability initiatives, as well as sustainable restaurants. When I first started watching the series I thought it was a general travel show, but I loved that it had a big focus on sustainability and it opened my eyes to a lot of initiatives around the world that I didn’t know about. I was so interested by it I wrote a blog post about it which gives you more of an idea of what the series covers, if it sounds like it would be of interest! There has since been another season of Down to Earth, set solely in Australia.

Sophie is a Content & Social Media Manager, and the Founder of Britain and Beyond.

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Our Favorite Travel Documentaries and Where to Watch Them

By CNT Editors

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

While we love the dramas, comedies, and rom-coms that recount epic journeys and bring beloved destinations to life, there’s something especially transportive about documentaries. But when it comes to travel films, it’s clear: the truth is often as wild and wonderful as fiction. Luckily, it seems that the golden age of documentaries is upon us (and it’s certainly the time of the docuseries , at the very least)—thanks to the rosters available on Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. Want to be inspired and watch some travel documentaries yourself? Here are a few of our favorite films that you can watch online right now that take you from the Mongolia steppe to Japan's Ise Bay.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Kedi (2016)

I am a self-proclaimed cat person—and Kedi lets me indulge in that even more. Many animal documentaries (ahem, Tiger King ) regard their subjects as accessories to human drama, while others talk about them via voiceover so scientifically that it sounds as if they’re inanimate objects. Not so, here. Kedi follows seven specific stray cats through the streets of Istanbul from their points of view, letting the cats stand as the film’s characters. The audience gets an up close and personal look at the secret lives of these cats: their interactions with humans and other animals; the mileage and route each covers through the ancient city; and the ordeals they overcome daily. —Alex Erdekian, assistant editor, City Guides

Watch now: Rent from $1, amazon.com

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

I was so excited to watch this movie, and specifically made sure I had reservations at a sushi restaurant afterward because I knew I'd be craving it after 90 minutes of watching it on screen. I love the attention to detail that Jiro showcases throughout the film, and how it shows just how technical a beautiful sushi omakase can be. I still think of the film whenever I eat tamago—sweet Japanese cooked egg that often ends an omakase—given how hard it was for the apprentice to master that specific dish. I've still never visited the original restaurant, but I'd love to try and get in on my next trip to Tokyo . — Stephanie Wu, articles director

Watch now: Free with Netflix subscription, netflix.com

Amazona (2016)

I discovered Amazona on a flight to Colombia , which is apt, given that it takes place in the lush Colombian Amazon. The travel documentary follows the filmmaker Clare Weiskopf, whose mother Val Weiskopf left her and her siblings behind and moved to the Amazon when they were still children. Weiskopf, now pregnant, confronts her mother about the choices she made and tries to come to terms with what motherhood will look like for her given her own unusual upbringing. The documentary, while centered on a unique experience, is still relatable to anyone who's thought about leaving it all behind and living off the grid—and then factored in the loved ones worth staying, or moving, home for. — Megan Spurrell, associate editor

Watch now: Rent from $4, amazon.com

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Maiden (2018)

This incredible film follows the first all-female crew competing in the late '80s in the Whitbread Round the World Race—an absolutely insane yachting competition that lasts nine months and sails from Southampton, England, to Uruguay, New Zealand, Australia, around and up to Florida , and then back to the U.K. This movie tracks the yacht's skipper and team’s mastermind, Tracy Edwards, and mixes incredible archival footage of the race with modern day interviews with the underestimated crew and their doubters. Get ready for your heart to swell a few sizes. — Meredith Carey, associate editor

Watch now: Buy from $7, amazon.com

Endless Summer (1966)

It's hard to tell whether this travel documentary on this type of list feels obligatory or cliche. I put it in the former bucket; I can't think of any other documentary that I saw as a young kid, I must have been just six or seven, that could have possibly stayed in my mind the way Endless Summer has. The 1960s journey across the globe by two California surfers to locate and popularize new swells brought them to places off the mass travel radar at the time, including Ghana, Nigeria, and New Zealand. This past summer, I surfed one of the beaches featured in Dakar (well, attempted to surf, I fall squarely in the “aspirational surfer” category). Sequels have been made, but the appeal of that first release—when surfing was used as travel currency, an exploratory lens, and bond between cultures—remains. —Erin Florio, travel news director

Lorena, La De Pies Ligeros (2019)

This 28-minute documentary is unexpected, gorgeous, and quick, just like the athlete it features: ultra-marathon runner Lorena Ramírez. Ramírez hails from the Rarámuri indigenous community in northwestern Mexico , a group that has been known for their excellence in long distance running. But watching her go from her daily life—where she lives in the remote countryside and where the women in her family aren’t able to attend school—to urban marathons where she powers past other athletes in a handwoven skirt and sandals, is absolutely moving. The entire film is a peek inside a Mexican community most travelers wouldn't otherwise be exposed to. — M.S.

The Eagle Huntress (2016)

This tale of a 13-year-old Kazakh girl named Aisholpan who trains to become the first female eagle hunter in her family's 12-generation history is nothing short of inspiring. The story is set in Mongolia’s stunning landscape, unfolding among snowy mountains, pink ombre horizons, and dry, grassy steppes. But it’s Aisholpan’s spirit and charisma that really make the film. The Eagle Huntress was so impactful that it prompted increased tourism to Mongolia, specifically for The Golden Eagle Festival, which is shown on screen. —A.E.

Virunga (2014)

A stunning mix of investigative journalism and nature documentary in one of the most extraordinary places in the world, this film cuts to the heart of the global conservation crisis. It's about the fight to protect the world's last mountain gorillas and the stunning biodiversity of Virunga National Park from the complex swirl of politics and economics in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which encroaches on their habitat through war, poaching, and the threat of oil exploration. It's heartbreakingly beautiful and just plain heartbreaking. — Jesse Ashlock, U.S. editor

Fishpeople (2017)

As the Traveler team can attest, I've become obsessed with the idea of spearfishing, largely thanks to women like Kimi Werner and the Jeju and Ama divers (of Korean and Japan respectively). I have such a deep love of both eating and preparing seafood, so the natural next step is to catch it myself, right? I watched this documentary on a flight to Hawaii this winter, and it further stoked the fire. It highlights a handful of people around the world, including Werner, who spend their lives in the sea . And trust me, you don't have to crave picking up your own spear to enjoy the beautiful ocean shots and the wise words from its sea-enamored cast. — M.S.

Watch now: Rent from $3, youtube.com

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Documentary Filmmaker Explores Japan’s Rigorous Education Rituals

Her movies try to explain why Japan is the way it is, showing both the upsides and downsides of the country’s commonplace practices. Her latest film focuses on an elementary school.

By Motoko Rich

Reporting from Tokyo

The defining experience of Ema Ryan Yamazaki’s childhood left her with badly scraped knees and her classmates with broken bones.

During sixth grade in Osaka, Japan, Ms. Yamazaki — now a 34-year-old documentary filmmaker — practiced for weeks with classmates to form a human pyramid seven levels high for an annual school sports day. Despite the blood and tears the children shed as they struggled to make the pyramid work, the accomplishment she felt when the group kept it from toppling became “a beacon of why I feel like I am resilient and hard-working.”

Now, Ms. Yamazaki, who is half-British, half-Japanese, is using her documentary eye to chronicle such moments that she believes form the essence of Japanese character, for better or worse.

To outsiders, Japan is often seen as an orderly society where the trains run on time, the streets are impeccably clean, and the people are generally polite and work cooperatively. Ms. Yamazaki has trained her camera on the educational practices and rigorous discipline instilled from an early age that she believes create such a society.

Her films present nonjudgmental, nuanced portraits that try to explain why Japan is the way it is, while also showing the potential costs of those practices. By showing both the upsides and downsides of Japan’s commonplace rituals, particularly in education, she also invites insiders to interrogate their longstanding customs.

Her latest film, “ The Making of a Japanese ,” which premiered last fall at the Tokyo International Film Festival, documents one year at an elementary school in western Tokyo, where students align their shoes ramrod straight in storage cubbies, clean their classrooms and serve lunch to their classmates.

In an earlier documentary, “ Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams ,” Ms. Yamazaki showed high school baseball players pushed to physical extremes and often reduced to tears as they vied to compete in Japan’s annual summer tournament .

In the schools highlighted by Ms. Yamazaki, both films show what can at times seem like an almost militaristic devotion to order, teamwork and self-sacrifice. But the documentaries also portray teachers and coaches trying to preserve the best of Japanese culture while acknowledging that certain traditions might damage the participants.

“If we can figure out what good things to keep and what should be changed — of course, that’s the million dollar question,” Ms. Yamazaki said.

“If we don’t have those what seem ‘extreme’ parts of society — or more realistically as we have less of it, as I see happening,” wrote Ms. Yamazaki in a follow-up email, “we might see trains in Japan be late in the future.”

Some extreme scenes show up in her films. In “The Making of a Japanese,” for instance, one first-grade teacher strongly chastises a first grader and makes her cry in front of her classmates. But the film also shows the young student conquering her deficiencies to proudly perform in front of the school.

Ms. Yamazaki “showed the reality as it is,” said Hiroshi Sugita, a professor of education at Kokugakuin University who appears briefly in the film lecturing the school’s faculty.

Having grown up in Japan and then trained as a filmmaker at New York University, Ms. Yamazaki has a one-foot-in, one-foot-out perspective.

In contrast to a complete “outsider who is exoticizing things, I think she is able to bring a perspective that has more respect and authenticity,” said Basil Tsiokos, senior programmer of nonfiction features at the Sundance Film Festival who selected two of Ms. Yamazaki’s films for documentary showcases in Nantucket and New York.

Ms. Yamazaki grew up near Osaka, the daughter of a British college professor and Japanese schoolteacher, and spent summers in England. When she transferred from a Japanese school to an international academy in Kobe for her middle and high school years, she was surprised that janitors, not the students, cleaned the classrooms. Relishing the freedom to choose electives, she enrolled in a video film class.

She decided to leave Japan for college partly because, as someone of multiracial heritage, she was tired of being treated as a foreigner.

When she arrived at N.Y.U., most of her classmates wanted to direct feature films. Ms. Yamazaki enrolled in a documentary class taught by Sam Pollard , a filmmaker who also worked as an editor for Spike Lee and others, and embraced the medium.

Mr. Pollard spotted her talent right away. “You have to apply yourself to figure out what the story is,” he said. “She had that.”

While she was still an undergraduate, Mr. Pollard offered Ms. Yamazaki some editing work. After graduation, she said, “a lot of my friends were smoking pot and were these artist dreamer people with grand ideas.” But she took on multiple editing gigs to support her passion projects. Even now, editing helps support her documentary work.

She attributed her work ethic to her years in Japanese elementary school. “People would be like, ‘you’re so responsible, you’re such a good team player, you’re working so hard,’” she recalled. She regarded her efforts as “below average in terms of a Japanese standard.”

She met her future husband, Eric Nyari, while interviewing for a job to edit a documentary about the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto that Mr. Nyari was producing. She didn’t land the job, but the pair became friends. Mr. Nyari, who describes her as “a dictator — in a good way,” is now the primary producer of all her documentaries.

Ms. Yamazaki made the leap from editing to professional directing with a short film for Al Jazeera, “ Monk by Blood ,” that examined the complicated family and gender dynamics at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto.

Next she chose a subject that had nothing to do with Japan. “ Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators ” brought her more attention as it screened at film festivals in Los Angeles and Nantucket.

Ms. Yamazaki and Mr. Nyari rented an apartment in Tokyo seven years ago and Ms. Yamazaki began work on “Koshien.”

One of the high schools she wanted to use in the film is where the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani had trained, but his former coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, was wary after years of media requests.

Mr. Sasaki softened when he saw how Ms. Yamazaki showed up with her crew in the morning, often before the players arrived, and stayed late at night to film the team cleaning the field.

One afternoon, after he had barred her from a particularly dramatic practice and then ribbed her for not filming it, she burst into what she said were tears of frustration because her cameras had missed such a great scene.

“I thought this person really is serious about this and I was so moved,” said Coach Sasaki in a video interview with The New York Times. The morning after the practice, he invited her to turn on the camera while he watered his collection of bonsai plants and answered questions about his coaching philosophy. That episode became a pivotal scene in the documentary.

Ms. Yamazaki, who films her subjects for hundreds of hours, captures vulnerable moments that reveal as much to her subjects as to audiences.

In one scene in “Koshien,” the wife of another high school baseball coach says she resented her husband’s career because it often took him away from their three children.

“Seeing the movie, it was my first time knowing these feelings,” said Tetsuya Mizutani, the coach, whose old-fashioned, hard-driving style is highlighted in the film.

Such discomfiting moments distinguish Ms. Yamazaki’s storytelling from most Japanese documentary filmmakers, said Asako Fujioka, former artistic director of the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. Filmmakers in Japan try to treat subjects “kindly, like a caring mother or friend,” whereas Ms. Yamazaki “is very bold in the way she creates drama.”

Seita Enomoto, the teacher who chastises a student in “The Making of a Japanese,” said that although some viewers have criticized him, he appreciated that the film also showed the child learning that “she should work hard, and how she changed and succeeded.” Ms. Yamazaki and Mr. Nyari hope next to make a documentary about new recruits at a large Japanese employer, where young staff start with training that can lead to lifelong work at the same company.

For now, they are raising their young son in Tokyo and have enrolled him in a Japanese nursery school. Although human pyramids have been banned by schools because of parental complaints, Ms. Yamazaki hopes her son will absorb some of the values that exercise taught her.

“It was a weird personal experience,” she said, “that I look back on fondly.”

Kiuko Notoya contributed reporting.

Motoko Rich is a reporter in Tokyo, leading coverage of Japan for The Times. More about Motoko Rich

Why HBO should save ‘Tokyo Vice’ from the chopping block

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Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone hankering for the next great HBO drama.

It may already have come and gone: With Thursday’s finale, another season of underworld drama “Tokyo Vice” has passed without fanfare, and it’s not inconceivable that the network will decline to renew the series for Season 3. That would be a shame, Screen Gab‘s editor writes in this week’s edition, explaining why it’s likely to get even better with age.

Also in this issue, a visit with the directors of new documentary “Food, Inc. 2” and two streaming recommendations for your weekend. Read on!

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Must-read stories you might have missed

Andy Cohen turned Bravo into a cable powerhouse. Now the ‘king of reality TV’ faces his own drama : Bravo and the producers of shows such as “Real Housewives” face a slew of allegations and lawsuits claiming bullying, harassment and unfair labor practices.

Giancarlo Esposito knows how to play the villain. In ‘Parish,’ he steps into the antihero role : Esposito became renowned for his supporting roles, most notably in “Breaking Bad.” Now he’s the star of “Parish,” a passion project that is personal to him.

No longer a side character, ‘Elsbeth’ comes into focus. But don’t call it a spinoff : The CBS series is centered on a character from the “Good Wife” universe, but the shows’ creators say the similarities end there.

Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning say their ‘Ripley’ characters aren’t rivals, ‘they’re frenemies’ : The stars of Netflix’s new adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel talk about why we can’t get enough of con artists, how they’ve been duped and all those stairs in the show.

Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times

“Alex Edelman: Just For Us” (Max)

While watching Alex Edelman perform live in Los Angeles last year, I thought to myself numerous times, “I hope this show gets filmed, because I want to share it with everyone I know.” Thankfully, after hit runs on Broadway and elsewhere , “Just For Us” is available to stream. Throughout the incisive 90-minute set, the comedian shares his experience attending a meeting of white nationalists in New York City, while weaving in brilliant bits about the time his Orthodox Jewish family celebrated Christmas and tough questions about identity, assimilation and empathy. I laughed, cried and cried laughing in that theater, and can’t wait to do so again from home alongside loved ones. — Ashley Lee

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“Sue’s Places” (ESPN+)

The most exciting television in recent weeks has been the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, hands down, so tuning in to the remaining games on Friday (4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., ESPN) and Sunday (noon, ABC) should be top priority. Those looking for streaming options between these games — as well as anybody curious about college basketball in general — should consider checking out “Sue’s Places.” Each episode of the ESPN+ series sees basketball great Sue Bird , a two-time NCAA champion, dig into the stories behind various college basketball lore and traditions. Bird fondly describes the series as “kind of ridiculous and gimmicky and shticky” but “you’re probably gonna get a fun fact you didn’t know.” Each episode also features former and current basketball stars as well as famous superfans dishing assists to the former point guard in her explorations. — Tracy Brown

Everything you need to know about the film or TV series everyone’s talking about

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After two seasons languishing in relative obscurity, at least in the corners of the internet where its more popular brethren ( “Succession,” “House of the Dragon,” “True Detective” ) have been discussed and dissected ad infinitum , “Tokyo Vice” (HBO, Max) seems unlikely to be granted a third. Whether it deserves one, particularly for its creative merits, is another matter. Having long since abandoned hotshot reporter Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort) as its sole protagonist, the series has blossomed instead into a rip-roaring ensemble drama set against the yakuza’s reluctant modernization — and the pressure it places on the state and the press to adapt in their own right.

As Adelstein, the only American ever hired by Japan’s flagship daily, and Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe), an organized crime detective with the Metropolitan Police, find themselves drawn deeper into the city’s underworld after a dangerous scrape in Season 1, each episode of Season 2, which concluded Thursday, widens our keyhole into the characters’ lives. Jake’s editor, Emi (Rinko Kikuchi), leans on her lover as she cares for her mentally ill younger brother and suspects a mole at work; rank-and-file yakuza operative Akiro Sato (Show Kasamatsu) finds himself thrust unexpectedly near to power within the organization; American expatriate hostess Samantha Porter (Rachel Keller) comes to understand the price of striking out on her own. The result — rife with tension, peppered with humor, rendering Tokyo with the same lived-in detail as David Simon’s Baltimore — is as sprawling as a soap opera, and as effective: Each character, major and minor, successfully charts their own compelling course, all while remaining effortlessly, invisibly connected. When their paths cross, often in sudden bursts of violence, a yakuza boss’ backhanded compliment to Samantha (“You will do well in this world”) becomes bloodily literal: “Tokyo Vice” doesn’t simply take place in but actively crafts an immersive universe unto itself. HBO would do well to take a risk on saving it. It’ll only get better with age. — Matt Brennan

A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching

An overhead images of three wheat threshers in a field.

More than a decade after the Oscar-nominated 2009 documentary “Food, Inc.” (Peacock) brought the ideas behind “Fast Food Nation” and “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” to movie screens — and so helped bring about a sea change in the way Americans talk about what they eat — narrator/authors Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan, now producers, are still on the case. Directed by Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo, “Food, Inc. 2 , ” in select theaters Friday and on VOD April 12, returns to the deleterious effects our industrialized food system has on our environment, our bodies and more, this time with particular ire for political stasis and corporate foot-dragging. Kenner and Robledo stopped by Screen Gab recently to discuss what has and hasn’t changed in the last 15 years, what they’re watching, and more. — Matt Brennan

What have you watched recently that you are recommending to everyone you know?

Melissa Robledo : “The Bear” [Hulu] — I loved it. Exceptional craft across the series and a glimpse into some of the enduring challenges in the restaurant industry. We’ve seen some important changes for food workers, but more reforms are urgently needed.

What is your go-to “comfort watch,” movie or TV show you go back to again and again?

Robert Kenner : “Curb Your Enthusiasm” [HBO, Max], because we all need some levity.

What’s one problem with our food system that’s been improved, if not wholly solved, since the first “Food, Inc.?”

Kenner: We continue to see a raised consciousness — people shopping with their values, demanding better food and a better food system. There’s been a proliferation of farmers markets and there’s a greater awareness of the impacts our food system has on the climate.

And what’s a problem that didn’t exist then or hadn’t really broken through that now needs our attention?

Robeldo: Ultra-processed foods. Over the last decade there have been hundreds of studies on the impacts of ultra-processed foods on our health — a recent meta-analysis in the BMJ [journal of the British Medical Assn.] found that diets high in U.P. foods are directly associated with Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, sleep problems and early death. Our film features a [National Institutes of Health] study which demonstrates that eating ultra- processed foods encourages people to eat more calories than they otherwise would — 500 calories a day on average.

Kenner: We need front-of-package warning labels, but we are sure to see food companies fight those efforts.

The complete guide to home viewing

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Award-winning documentaries about Japan, travel and cooking shows, few manga adaptions & even cultural quiz shows to watch about japan. ... 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 ...
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Diving into the world of sushi mastery, this documentary profiles Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi chef who operates a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo. With a relentless pursuit of perfection, Jiro's passion for his craft and unwavering dedication to the traditional art of sushi-making are beautifully captured through interviews and ...
Tokyo Stories review
The Exhibition on Screen documentary series delves into the boundless energy of the Japanese megalopolis Andrew Pulver Tue 23 May 2023 08.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 23 May 2023 08.36 EDT
Rise of Tokyo in Color
History documentary on Tokyo, Japan; hosted by John Beach and published by Smithsonian Channel.It's a city that transformed itself from a sprawl of wooden dw...
12 Netflix Shows to Watch Before Coming to Japan
4. The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House. 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.
3 TV Shows to Watch Before Your Japan Trip
Joanna Lumley's Japan (tour through Japan) This lovely 3-part series shows a curious Joanna Lumley who travels all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa in an amazing journey past many of Japan's most beautiful sights and cultural curiosities. Japan's unspoiled nature features heavily in the series, and you are going to want to get off the ...
TV Shows & Movies That Inspire Travel to Japan
Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary that follows Jiro's restaurant and life along with his two sons, who have followed their father's footsteps and are also sushi chefs in Tokyo. Even if you aren't a sushi fan, you'll find yourself entranced with this film. Where to Watch: Hulu, Peacock, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video.
Tokyo Vacation Travel Guide
Tokyo - the capital of Japan and the epitome of the word "megacity." Our travel guide to Tokyo will help you plan an unforgettable stay in the city. When rea...
30 Best Travel Documentaries & Series To Watch
The BBC Planet Earth series is absolutely beautifully filmed and epic to watch. In each episode, they explore different parts of the planet, such as deserts, mountains, oceans, forests, etc. There are also other travel documentaries by the BBC, like The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, and a lot more. Each one shows a different side of our planet.
The 9 Best Travel Documentary Series Worth Watching
The best travel documentary series I would recommend. Credit: Pixabay. Dark Tourist - Netflix. ... not just the well-known places like Tokyo. For me the main draw with her programmes is how she comes across - her soft spoken manner, the way she can romantisise anything - she just seems like a delight to meet and I find her quite ...
How to Spend 14 Days in Japan
Get my 14 Days in Japan Itinerary: https://shop.allansu.com/b/0Y5f9Get a Pocket WIFI/Simcard: https://www.sakuramobile.jp/allansu-topGet an e-SIM for Japan:...
Our Favorite Travel Documentaries and Where to Watch Them
Lorena, La De Pies Ligeros (2019) This 28-minute documentary is unexpected, gorgeous, and quick, just like the athlete it features: ultra-marathon runner Lorena Ramírez. Ramírez hails from the ...
Documentary Filmmaker Explores Japan's Rigorous Education Rituals
April 5, 2024. The defining experience of Ema Ryan Yamazaki's childhood left her with badly scraped knees and her classmates with broken bones. During sixth grade in Osaka, Japan, Ms. Yamazaki ...
Wild Tokyo (Full 4K Documentary)
Wild Tokyo explores Toyko's concrete curtain, where wildlife has adapted and learnt to co-habit in Earth's most human-dense territory. Subscribe to Our World...
Why HBO should save 'Tokyo Vice' from the chopping block
In Screen Gab. No. 126, a plea from our editor to keep one of the best dramas on TV going, the directors of 'Food, Inc. 2' on the danger of ultra-processed foods and more.
Japan That Will Blow Your Mind. The Weirdest Modern Country
Sign up to Morning Brew for free today https://morningbrewdaily.com/antonSponsored by Morning BrewThis is Japan - the weirdest modern country in the world....

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