10 (+1) Japanese Films to Watch

One of the things I love most about autumn in England is the abundance of film festivals. The BFI London Film Festival runs from 8 to 19 October, and I’ve already watched A Pale View of Hills, based on the 1982 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Next up is the Leeds Film Festival (30 October to 16 November), followed by the London Korean Film Festival, which takes place from 5 to 18 November. It’s no secret that I’m a cinephile — and an unabashed fan of all things Japanese. Although I’ve shared film lists from other countries before (such as South Korea and France), I’ve never done one dedicated to Japanese films. Well… it’s about time!

Departures (2008)

Directed by Yōjirō Takita, Departures (おくりびと) became the first Japanese film to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. As of 2025, eighteen Japanese films have been nominated, but only two have won — Departures being the first. (There were also three honorary winners in the 1950s: Rashomon, Gate of Hell, and Samurai: The Legend of Musashi.)

The film tells the story of Daigo, a cellist who returns to his hometown and unexpectedly finds work preparing the dead for burial. What begins as a job of necessity evolves into a profound exploration of life, death, and dignity.

Norwegian Wood (2010)

Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森) is one of the first Japenese films I’ve watched. Directed by Tran Anh Hung and based on Haruki Murakami’s 1987 novel of the same name, Norwegian Wood is a visually poetic and emotionally layered adaptation that captures the melancholy and introspection of youth and loss.

The film follows Toru Watanabe, a university student in 1960s Tokyo, as he navigates love, grief, and self-discovery after the death of his best friend. It’s a haunting meditation on longing and the fragility of memory.

The Traveling Cat Chronicles (2018)

Directed by Kôichirô Miki and based on Hiro Arikawa’s beloved novel (旅猫リポート), this gentle, heartfelt story explores companionship and memory through the eyes of a man and his loyal cat.

The film follows Satoru and his cat, Nana, as they travel across Japan visiting friends from Satoru’s past. Through each encounter, we glimpse the enduring bonds of love, friendship, and farewell.

Café Funiculi Funicula (2018)

Also released in 2018, Café Funiculi Funicula (コーヒーが冷めないうちに) was directed by Ayuko Tsukahara and is based on Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s bestselling novel Before the Coffee Gets Cold. A touching, time-bending story about second chances and what we’d say — if only we could go back in time.

Set in a cozy, otherworldly café in Tokyo, the film follows customers who can briefly return to the past — but only if they stay seated and finish their coffee before it cools. A beautiful reminder that moments matter most when they’re fleeting.

Available on YouTube.

Shoplifters (2018)

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Shoplifters (万引き家族) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or. This tender, humane portrait of a found family living on the margins of society went on to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

The story centers on a makeshift family who survive through petty theft until they take in an abandoned little girl. As secrets unfold, the film questions the meaning of family, morality, and love in a world that often overlooks the vulnerable.

Drive My Car (2021)

Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi and based on Haruki Murakami’s short story, Drive My Car (ドライブ・マイ・カー) became the second Japanese film to win the Oscar for Best International Feature Film — and the first ever to be nominated for Best Picture.

The film follows Yūsuke Kafuku, a stage actor and director, who forms an unlikely bond with his stoic driver while rehearsing a multilingual production of Uncle Vanya. It’s a quiet masterpiece on grief, communication, and the human need for connection.

Perfect Days (2023)

Directed by Wim Wenders, Perfect Days was Japan’s entry for the 96th Academy Awards and marked the first time a non-Japanese director’s film represented Japan. Quiet, deeply human, and beautifully observed, it’s an ode to finding meaning in the everyday.

The story follows Hirayama, a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo, whose humble routines reveal a life of quiet grace and reflection. Through his days, we’re reminded that beauty often resides in the smallest, most ordinary moments.

Monster (2023)

Another gem from Hirokazu Kore-eda, Monster (怪物) is a hauntingly beautiful film featuring music by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. The film unfolds through multiple perspectives, exploring truth, perception, and the complexity of human relationships.

When a mother confronts her son’s school about his strange behavior, a web of misunderstandings slowly unravels — revealing how easily truth can shift depending on who’s telling the story.

Monster is one of my favourite Japanese films.

A Samurai in Time (2023)

Directed by Jun’ichi Yasuda, A Samurai in Time (侍タイムスリッパ) blends history and fantasy, exploring what happens when tradition meets modernity.

The film follows a samurai who mysteriously travels forward in time to contemporary Japan, where he must navigate modern life while trying to uphold the values of the past. It’s funny, poignant, and reflective in equal measure.

(+1) Burning (2018)

While technically a South Korean film directed by Lee Chang-dong, Burning (버닝) earns an honorary spot here because it’s based on Haruki Murakami’s short story Barn Burning from The Elephant Vanishes.

It follows Jong-su, an aspiring writer whose encounter with a mysterious woman and her enigmatic new friend spirals into obsession and unease. A slow-burning psychological mystery that lingers long after the credits roll.

A Pale View of Hills (2025)

Directed by Kei Ishikawa, A Pale View of Hills (遠い山なみの光) is an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 1982 debut novel. The film had its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival — an event I was fortunate enough to attend.

Set in postwar Japan, A Pale View of Hills follows Etsuko, a Japanese woman reflecting on her past and the haunting memories of a mysterious friend amid themes of loss, motherhood, and identity.

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)