Best Japanese documentary movies

Follows the behind-the-scenes work of Studio Ghibli, focusing on the notable figures Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki.

July 1, 2000. British 21-year-old Lucie Blackman goes missing in Tokyo, sparking an international investigation — and an unyielding quest for justice.

A look at legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki following his retirement in 2013.

Oscar winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto weaves man-made and natural sounds together in his works. His anti-nuclear activism grew after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and his career only paused after a 2014 cancer diagnosis.

First graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: performing "Ode to Joy" at the ceremony for the new incoming first graders. Ayame, who often struggles to keep up with the group, is determined to play a major part — the big drum.

Kenzo Okuzaki, a 62-year-old veteran of the New Guinea campaign in World War II, sets out to conduct interviews with survivors and relatives to find the truth behind atrocities committed while the Japanese garrison was surrounded, in particular the unexplained killing of two Japanese privates in his unit.

A documentary that chronicles the making of The Boy and the Heron, filmed with exclusive access to Studio Ghibli across an astonishing seven years.

30 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams has returned for a special concert – making his debut with the world-famous Saito Kinen Orchestra in renditions of his beloved film scores and reuniting with his longtime friend, world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa (1935-2024). Captured live on record at Suntory Hall last year, John Williams In Tokyo is now being be released by Deutsche Grammophon and follows his acclaimed concert albums, The Berlin Concert and John Williams in Vienna, which topped charts around the globe.

This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.

An account of the life and work of legendary Japanese actor Toshirō Mifune (1920-97), the most prominent actor of the Golden Age of Japanese cinema.

Now one of the world’s most celebrated artists, Yayoi Kusama broke free of the rigid society in which she was raised, and overcame sexism, racism, and mental illness to bring her artistic vision to the world stage. At 88 she lives in a mental hospital and continues to create art.

In Ramen Heads, Osamu Tomita, Japan's reigning king of ramen, takes us deep into his world, revealing every single step of his obsessive approach to creating the perfect soup and noodles, and his relentless search for the highest-quality ingredients.

An energetic and phenomenal presentation charting the life and career of DJ icon, music producer, and global trip-hop mogul James Lavelle.

Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí (1852-1926) designed some of the world's most astonishing buildings, interiors, and parks; Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara constructed some of the most aesthetically audacious films ever made. With camera work as bold and sensual as the curves of his subject's organic structures, Teshigahara immortalizes Gaudí on film.

For his first film in fourteen years, animation director Isao Takahata embarked on a visually sumptuous adaptation of The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter. A dream project for the director that would hopefully establish the recently formed Ghibli Studio 7, created to meet the demands of a new type of modern animation process. But, almost immediately, the epic production is faced with difficulties and falls dramatically behind schedule. In this compelling and insightful documentary, we follow Isao Takahata and his dedicated team of artists as they frantically strive against adversity to make their vision a reality and bring Studio Ghibli into a new era.

Through the lives of professionals working at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, the film portrays how Tsukiji has been the center of fish culinary culture and helped Japanese food culture to flourish as we know it today.

Oriza Hirata is Japan's leading playwright and director, who runs his own theatrical company, Seinendan. Theatre 2 (Observational Film Series #4) examines the dynamic relationship between theatre and the society through depicting Hirata's activities. In order for his art and his not-so-commercial company to survive this highly capitalistic modern society, what kind of strategy does Hirata have and practice?

A Man Vanishes examines the concept of Johatsu, tackling the phenomenon of people missing in Japan over the years. It picks one such person from the list, someone who had seemed to disappear from the face of the earth due to embezzlement from his company, and the filmmakers begin an investigative documentary into the reasons behind and attempt at tracking him down.

In 1996, Tsurisaki Kiyotaka, one of Japan’s most infamous death photographers, ventured into the center of Hell itself - the Rue Morgue neighborhood of Bogota, Colombia. With death and murder rampant, the corpses eventually find their way to embalmer Froilan Orozco, who has been tending the dead for over 50 years. We watch as bodies are brought in to his shop and he prepares them for their funerals.

EVANGELION is coming to an end. NHK spent 4 years with exclusive access to director Hideaki Anno, documenting the creative process behind the final EVANGELION: 3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME. For the first time, the camera is allowed inside Anno's studio. The documentary attempts to capture why master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (STUDIO GHIBLI) describes him as one who sheds blood for his films.

90-year-old architect Shuichi Tsubata and his 87-year-old wife Hideko live in Aichi Prefecture. Their garden is bursting with 70 types of vegetables and 50 types of fruits, and they live in harmony with nature.

Catch an intimate glimpse into the live sessions of Hikaru Utada’s brand-new album “Bad Mode,” recorded at the legendary Air Studios in London.

Yuka Yasukawa is an actress and also a professional wrestler with the nickname of Act Yasukawa. An in-depth look is given into her personal life as well as her in the ring. Her past experiences are also told including being bullied, refusing to go to school, rape and attempted suicide.

After making waves with fans all over the world, Fujii Kaze commemorates the release of his second album with his first ever outdoor stadium performance.

Without heir or apprentice, Masamoto Ueda's recipes will die with him, which is perhaps the secret to his vitality and hunger for new ingredients and experiences even after 40 years—he is able to invent new techniques and flavours without the burden of tradition.

A visual documentary of Einstürzende Neubauten, the German underground band, by Japanese cult director Sogo Ishii, made during their 1985 tour of Japan. The band makes an elaborate and remarkably choreographed appearance in the ruins of an old ironworks which was scheduled for demolition; footage of same was incorporated into the movie and a brief appearance on stage.

Documentary exploring one of Japan's biggest train crashes in modern history, caused when a driver tried to catch up with a delay of just 80 seconds. It's a cautionary tale of what happens when punctuality, protocol and efficiency are taken to the extreme. On Monday April 25th 2005, a West Japan Railway commuter train crashed into an apartment building and killed 107 people. Just what pressures made the driver risk so much for such a minimal delay? Piecing together personal accounts of those affected by the train crash, with insights from experts and former train drivers, the film poses a question for a society that equates speed with progress. It offers a fascinating insight into the railway's role in Japan's post-war economic boom and the dangers of corner-cutting in the prolonged economic stagnation that followed. Through the lens of this catastrophic train crash, Brakeless considers the ultimate cost efficiency.

Fishmans' legendary final live performance under the Fishmans name before frontman Shinji Sato's passing. The show was recorded and filmed at Akasaka Blitz, a Japanese music venue based in Minato, Tokyo, on December 28, 1998, and released as an album nine months later. The album title roughly translates to "A Men's Farewell: December 28th, 1998", a reference to the tour name to bassist Yuzuru Kashiwabara's departure and to signal an "end of an era" for the band's three piece era.

In December 1969, the band Zuno Keisatsu (The Brain Police) was formed, with Panta and Toshi as its core members. The camera follows them for three years leading up to the band’s reunion in 2008.

Attracting 140,000 fans over two days (April 27–28, 2024), “Shinzou” was a legendary performance that established Ado the first solo female artist to perform at the iconic Japan National Stadium. The setlist featured 26 songs including her on-stage duet of “Sakura Biyori and Time Machine (with Hatsune Miku),” the highly acclaimed “DIGNITY” featuring guest guitarist Tak Matsumoto (from B’z), and “Show,” a collaboration song with Universal Studios Japan. The theatrical release promises a fresh and immersive experience for fans who missed the live event or want to relive the moment.

EXO Planet #3 – The EXO'rDIUM was the third tour of South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO. This is a recording of the concert date of either November 30th, 2016 or December 1st, 2016 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

f(x) Dimension 4 - Docking Station in Japan is the first DVD release from South Korean girl group f(x).

EXO PLANET #2 - The EXO'luXion was the second tour of South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO. The tour began in Seoul's Olympic Gymnastics Arena on March 7, 2015. The tour was officially announced in January 2015 with the first five dates in South Korea. The tour had 39 dates throughout Asia and five dates in North America.

Wai-chan is one of the last remaining fishermen in Ushimado, a small village in Seto Inland Sea, Japan. At the age of 86, he still fishes alone on a small boat to make a living, dreaming about his retirement. Kumi-san is an 84 year old villager who wanders around the shore everyday. She believes a social welfare facility “stole” her disabled son to receive subsidy from the government. A “late - stage elderly” Koso-san runs a small seafood store left by her deceased husband. She sells fish to local villagers and provides leftovers to stray cats. Foresaken by the modernization of post-war Japan, the town Ushimado's rich, ancient culture and tight-knit community are on on the verge of disappearing.

The 1st image of Aimi Yoshikawa, who has big breasts but a slender body. Aimi who suddenly worked hard to the semi in her debut work. A rich shot of a teen's popping body.

Five Bolivian indigenous women share one goal: climbing the highest mountain in America.

Each home has a built in pool or water tank that lies partly inside, partly outside its’ walls… A continuous stream of spring water is piped right into a basin, so freshwater is always available. People rinse out pots in the tank and clean their freshly picked vegetables. If they simply pour the food scraps back in the water, they risk polluting the whole village supply. However, carp can scour out even the greasy or burnt pans. They do the washing up in Satoyama villages. This traditional arrangement is called the riverside method. It’s used all over Japan. Cleaned up by the carp, the tank water eventually rejoins the channel.

BUCK-TICK's "CLIMAX TOGETHER" which was done on the same date, the same place in 1992, 2004, 2016 and 12 years cycle. It is a track of "BUCK - TICK" evolution that will continue to operate in major scenes from the dawn of Japanese rock industry. Death of familiar people, global terrorism, threat of nature. A deep bond and affection with fans who keep closing together no matter how many years passed. By sharing sorrows that never can resist and the joy that anyone can not take, a message was born and a song was born. The work now approaches the core of "CLIMAX TOGETHER" and "BUCK - TICK", by interviewing the members, and re - editing the images released as works until now as unpublished scenes, for 32 years since the formation It became a work that can recognize the growth and ties of the members who have been walking.

Documentary following the band members of BUCK-TICK.

Documentary following the members of the band BUCK-TICK.

Keyakizaka46's first documentary film.

Glimpse into the world of the songstress known as the "Rock Heroine" as she reflects on the first decade of her career and looks to the future.

The documentary film follows the group as they perform in countries across Europe, North America and Asia. It includes live and behind-the-scenes footage of their sold-out performances at the O2 Academy Islington in London, Le Bataclan in Paris and House of Blues in Los Angeles among others, bringing audiences closer to HARUNA, MAMI, TOMOMI, and RINA of SCANDAL like never before.

Kessoku Band brings a live video! Kessoku Band consists of four voice artists starring in the TV anime "Bocchi the Rock!". This video compiles their first solo concert held at Zepp Haneda on May 21, 2023.

Produced and directed by Yuzuru Hanyu. The first-ever solo ice show at Tokyo Dome "GIFT,” a story that self-portrays Yuzuru Hanyu's life and future on the ice. Featuring MIKIKO as the director. The show will finally open for one night only on February 26, 2023.

A documentary about the production of the famous Japanese animation "Millennium Actress" by genius director Satoshi Kon, a god-like work. Unfortunately, genius is always short-lived.

This documentary follows Hironobu Tsujiguchi, an international pastry chef and chocolatier from Japan, as he prepares for Paris's annual Salon du Chocolat by searching out and incorporating the staples of traditional Japanese cuisine with cacao.

μ's Final LoveLive! μ'sic Forever♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪ was the farewell concert of the fictional idol group μ's from Love Live! School Idol Project, celebrating their career with emotional performances and marking the end of their activities.

Features LOVEBITES' gig held at MyNavi BLITZ Akasaka held on January 27. Contains 17 songs in total. 1 Clockwork Immortality 2 Addicted 3 Bravehearted 4 The Crusade 5 Pledge Of The Saviour 6 Rising 7 Scream For Me 8 Break The Wall 9 Shadowmaker 10 Above The Black Sea 11 Empty Daydream 12 M.D.O 13 Journey To The Otherside 14 Edge Of The World 15 We The United 16 Epilogue 17 Don't Bite The Dust 18 Under The Red Sky 19 The Everlasting

This extraordinary documentary is an unflinching record of the workers’ struggle during Japan’s economic rebirth in the 1980s, centered on Tokyo’s Sanya “yoseba”—a slum community dating from the 19th century where day laborers lived in terrible conditions while they sought work.

The poignant focal point for this film is a cherry tree that is over 1400 years old. Beginning with the tree, the director then explores the families and environment around the tree. The editing and music contribute to the sense of a haunting past contained within the solid structure of an ancient natural wonder.

Twenty-minute aerial overview of various Tokyo highlights, with continuous zooms from sweeping panoramas down to individual people on the street.

Documentary made by Toho for the Masterworks reissue of all of its Kurosawa films. This one focuses on "Yojimbo" (1961).

The words I promised to Kin-ichi Motegi, 'This is the first and last. I tell you everything about Fishmans without telling a lie.' The friends who made the sound of Fishmans devoted their lives to music. Shinji Sato's way of life is packed in this movie for nearly three hours.

An anthology movie containing both documentaries and dramas, all staring members of local idol units.

Boy band Snow Man takes the stage with a high-energy performance in Japan, while sharing intimate interviews and backstage footage from rehearsals.

Documentary about the art of Japanese bondage.

Through animation and a series of interviews with nine young men in Tokyo's gay district, this documentary exposes and humanizes the rarely seen world of gay sex work in Japan.

The Ushiku immigration center near Tokyo mainly holds people seeking refuge in Japan. Using a hidden camera, award-winning filmmaker Thomas Ash interviewed inmates there from late 2019. His film publicly accuses Japan’s uncompromising refugee policy through one of the country's biggest human rights scandals. Ushiku has been making international headlines for years.

Third video album released by Fishmans. Live performance made on March 2, 1996 at Shinjuku Liquid Room.