Best Japanese reality series

Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch reality shows from Japan, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!

  • Poster for Terrace House: Boys & Girls in the City

    Terrace House: Boys & Girls in the City 2015

    A new set of six men and women start their lives together under one roof. All they get is a fabulous home and a car. As always, there is no script.

    Netflix
    78
  • Poster for The Boyfriend

    The Boyfriend 2024

    Over the course of a month, a group of men live under one roof and run a coffee truck together to connect and hopefully meet their one true boyfriend.

    Netflix
    82
  • Poster for Terrace House: Aloha State

    Terrace House: Aloha State 2016

    The beautiful island of Oahu is host to a new batch of six strangers who share a single roof, multiple conflicts and no script in this reality series.

    Netflix
    69
  • Poster for Terrace House: Opening New Doors

    Terrace House: Opening New Doors 2017

    The bright young people of Terrace House return to Japan, where they live together and face new relationship challenges.

    Netflix
    73
  • Poster for Old Enough!

    Old Enough! 1991

    Children go on errands all by themselves for the very first time as a camera crew follows along in this beloved, long-running reality show from Japan.

    YTV
    75
  • Poster for Love Is Blind: Japan

    Love Is Blind: Japan 2022

    In this reality dating series, marriage-minded singles in Japan meet, date and get engaged — before ever setting eyes on each other.

    Netflix
    68
  • Poster for Final Draft

    Final Draft 2025

    Twenty-five athletes, most retired, compete to win 30M yen to launch their second career. Can they overcome tough physical and psychological challenges?

    Netflix
    69
  • Poster for Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020

    Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020 2019

    Six strangers share a fabulous house in Tokyo, looking for love while living under the same roof. With no script, what happens next is all up to them.

    Netflix
    74
  • Poster for Gaki no Tsukai No Laughing Batsu Game

    Gaki no Tsukai No Laughing Batsu Game 2003

    After participating to a previous show where they have to bet or be challenged to any kind of competitions, the losing members of the Gaki no Tsukai are selected to spend 24 hours in a setting which they have no knowledge of the theme nor the course of the events. They are exposed to various absurd and crazy situations nonstop for 24 hours and must refrain from laughing. If they do so, hang-men appear and hit the rule breakers with a weapon (the weapon varies every year).

    NTV
    90
  • Poster for Iron Chef

    Iron Chef 1993

    Iron Chef is an innovative cooking competition from Japan. An combined the excitement of a one on one sports competition with gourmet cooking.

    Food Network
    79
  • Poster for Terrace House: Boys × Girls Next Door

    Terrace House: Boys × Girls Next Door 2012

    Terrace House: Boys × Girls Next Door was a Japanese reality television series in the Terrace House franchise. It originally aired on Fuji Television's "Cool TV" segment from October 12, 2012 to September 29, 2014 for eight seasons, after which a standalone movie was released as a continuation/conclusion of the show. The show took place in a modernistic house with a terrace located in the Shōnan area.

    Fuji TV
    82
  • Poster for Takeshi's Castle Japan

    Takeshi's Castle Japan 2023

    Worldwide sensation Takeshi's Castle returns after 34 years! Popular games are revived on a larger scale and new, terrifying obstacles appear one after another. The lord of the castle, Beat Takeshi, entrusts BANANAMAN to protect it. Subaru Kimura is the attack force's new leader. The elite team gathers to bring down the revived Takeshi's Castle. The greatest battle in history begins!

    Amazon
    61
  • Poster for Run for the Money

    Run for the Money 2022

    In a race with time, celebrity contestants desperately try to outmaneuver black-clad Hunters in pursuit, for a chance to win a growing cash prize.

    Netflix
    65
  • Poster for HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental

    HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental 2016

    Produced by Hitoshi Matsumoto, Documental pits ten comedians against each other. The objective is to make each other laugh in a closed room. Each contestant brings a one million yen participation fee. The last person to stay in the room without laughing wins. The winner is awarded a 10 million yen prize and bragging rights as the funniest comedian.

    Amazon
    77
  • Poster for Love Village

    Love Village 2023

    Singles 35 and over of various backgrounds relocate to a house in the countryside for another chance at love. Will they find "the one" — or leave alone?

    Netflix
    70
  • Poster for Ainori Love Wagon: Asian Journey

    Ainori Love Wagon: Asian Journey 2017

    Seven men and women board a pink bus in search of true love. On a journey through Asia with strangers, their goal is to return to Japan as a couple.

    Fuji TV
    72
  • Poster for Offline Love

    Offline Love 2025

    Young singles spend ten days in a foreign country, relying on fate alone to fall in love. Without any digital devices, will they be able to find the one?

    Netflix
    79
  • Poster for REA(L)OVE

    REA(L)OVE 2018

    A group of men and women, each burdened with a dark secret, look for love in this dating show with a twist. Hosted by reformed playboy Atsushi Tamura.

    Netflix
    55
  • Poster for The Future Diary

    The Future Diary 2021

    In this reality series, complete strangers meet and receive a diary holding the script to their very own love story. Will true romance follow?

    Netflix
    78
  • Poster for Ainori Love Wagon: African Journey

    Ainori Love Wagon: African Journey 2019

    To find love, seven strangers leave Japan and embark on a journey through the African continent.

    Netflix
    66
  • Poster for Is She the Wolf?

    Is She the Wolf? 2023

    They're all here to look for true romance — but hidden among the women is at least one "wolf" who's prohibited from falling in love.

    Netflix
    69
  • Poster for Love Like a K-Drama

    Love Like a K-Drama 2023

    Four actresses from Japan move to South Korea to audition and act alongside Korean actors for roles in a series of love stories. Will true romance follow?

    Netflix
    70
  • Poster for Love Deadline

    Love Deadline 2024

    Looking for true love, women meet potential husbands while traveling to scenic locales. The catch? Only women can propose, while men are on the clock.

    Netflix
    68
  • Poster for Takeshi's Castle

    Takeshi's Castle 1986

    Welcome to the Takeshi's Castle, a Japanese game show involving 100 to 140 contestants who try to go through a series of silly physical challenges designed to eliminate them. Designed like a live-action Mario game, thousands of people have come to take on Takeshi's Castle to try and win the ¥1,000,000 prize but hardly anyone does!

    TBS
    67
  • Poster for Shin Nogizaka Star Tanjou!

    Shin Nogizaka Star Tanjou! 2022

    Shin Nogizaka Star Tanjou is a new variety program, was taken over by 5th generation. They're for the first time doing a variety program by singing a songs from Showa & Heisei era.

    Hulu Japan
    100
  • Poster for Talk Queens

    Talk Queens 2020

    This show brings together top female entertainers like Rino Sashihara and Asako Ito for lively interviews that reveal unknown sides of their guests and leading to engaging discussions about love, life, and career in the spotlight.

    Fuji TV
    100
  • Poster for Shuffle Island

    Shuffle Island 2021

    Fourteen men and women searching for love gather on two unconnected islands — men stay on the Blue island while women reside on the Pink one. Once a day, when the 'shuffle time' comes, members of each island can select one from the other island to be exchanged. That's the only way a person can move to the other island. But it also means that some are at risk of not seeing the one they fell in love with again.

    AbemaTV
    100
  • 見えない橋 0

    100
  • Poster for Who Is the Wolf?

    Who Is the Wolf? 2017

    They're all here to look for true romance — but hidden among the women is at least one "wolf," a saboteur who's only pretending to be falling in love.

    AbemaTV
    73
  • Poster for Kiss or Die

    Kiss or Die 2025

    Male comedians face off in a steamy improv drama where they must resist the advances of irresistibly seductive co-stars and deliver the ultimate kiss.

    Netflix
    77
  • Poster for Let's Meet at Hinatazaka

    Let's Meet at Hinatazaka 2019

    Hinatazaka46's variety show following the format of the prequel Hiragana Oshi after the group changed their name from Hiragana Keyakizaka46 to Hinatazaka46. The show started on 7th April 2019 and is aired every Sunday late night 1:05 am JST.

    TV Tokyo
    80
  • Poster for What's So Wrong with "Azatoi"?

    What's So Wrong with "Azatoi"? 2020

    Ryota Yamasato, Minami Tanaka, and Ayaka Hironaka The three too-dangerous men and women talk in-depth about the words and actions of "bruising men and women"!

    tv asahi
    80
  • Poster for The Bachelor Japan

    The Bachelor Japan 2017

    Amazon
    78
  • Poster for PRODUCE 101 JAPAN

    PRODUCE 101 JAPAN 2019

    Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo and South Korean entertainment company CJ E&M will co-produce “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”, based on the reality television talent competition franchise popular in South Korea and China. This Japanese spin-off follows 101 trainees with the intention of producing an 11-member boy band, with members selected by viewers.

    Lemino
    76
  • Poster for Nizi Project

    Nizi Project 2020

    A joint Girl Group Project “Nizi Project” by JYP and Sony Music. The winners of Season 1 will participate in the survival show for the 2nd Season in the 3rd quarter of 2020 which is hopefully to debut a Japanese Girl Group in December 2020. A Global audition held in 10 locations including 8 cities in Japan, Hawaii and LA Delivered the event of the Tokyo training camp by the members who have passed!

    Hulu Japan
    64
  • Poster for Falling in Love Like a Romantic Drama

    Falling in Love Like a Romantic Drama 2018

    Naomi Watanabe hosts a reality show in which eight young actors perform kissing scenes in a drama. Then the camera follows them to see if sparks fly!

    ABEMA SPECIAL
    68
  • Poster for THE GOLDEN COMBI

    THE GOLDEN COMBI 2024

    Sixteen comedians form eight new comedy duos to take on dynamic stage sets and tackle unconquerable prompts! Through eight stages, the 200 audience members will vote for “the least funny duo.” Who will be chosen as the funniest duo and be crowned the best “Golden Duo” to win a cash prize of ten million yen in this grueling survival comedy show?!

    Amazon
    80
  • Poster for Can You Summon 100 Friends?

    Can You Summon 100 Friends? 2025

    How many "true friends" do you have? A 14-hour money game with a total prize of 100 million yen that tests true friendship. Three celebs compete to see who can summon the most star pals by midnight. How long can the stars, unaware of the show or its rules, wait for their friend? Confusion, trust, betrayal, laughter, and tears… A new type of battle royale that exposes every human emotion!

    Amazon
    80
  • Poster for Leeteuk's Solo Trip

    Leeteuk's Solo Trip 2019

    SUPER JUNIOR's leader Leeteuk travels alone to famous places in Japan.

    80
  • Poster for 乃木坂46 橋本奈々未の恋する文学

    乃木坂46 橋本奈々未の恋する文学 2016

    Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting
    80
  • Poster for The Bachelorette Japan

    The Bachelorette Japan 2020

    Japanese version of 'The Bachelorette" where men of various occupations, ages, appearances, and personalities compete for the affections of one single woman.

    Amazon
    72
  • NOGIBINGO! 2013

    "...to prove if it's possible for Nogizaka46 to become national idols if they experience the things AKB48 have done, this is an experimental variety show..."

    Nippon TV
    67
  • Poster for Hiragana Oshi

    Hiragana Oshi 2018

    TV Tokyo
    70
  • Poster for &Audition - The Howling -

    &Audition - The Howling - 2022

    The trainees participate in a large-scale project to produce artists who will debut in Japan and go on to perform on the world stage. They share a common destiny: a mission to grow so that they can make their debut. In order to achieve this growth, the trainees will take on challenges together ("&") as they pursue their mutually shared dream of debuting ("Howling"). The trainees will have mentors by their sides. The mentors will support and evaluate the trainees as they work toward the dream together, one step at a time. After demonstrating their skills, growth, and ability to cooperate during each round, who will ultimately make their debut?

    70
  • Poster for Datsuryoku News Network

    Datsuryoku News Network 2017

    From economics to fashion news, if it's silly or absurd, the Datsuryoku News Network will cover it!

    Fuji TV
    75
  • Poster for The Quest

    The Quest 2007

    Traveling to the farthest reaches of the planet to uncover the world's greatest mysteries and pushing one's self to the limit with incredible adventures. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, the world is full of mysteries and adventures waiting to be experienced. The Quest will travel anywhere in the world for the chance to take on any challenge, in a way that will surely make you laugh! (Of course, there are some mysteries that simply can't be solved...) Their hilarious antics and nail-biting stunts will leave you on the edge of your seats. Check them out!

    NTV
    70
  • Poster for Nogizaka Skits

    Nogizaka Skits 2020

    Hulu Japan
    62
  • Poster for Love Transit

    Love Transit 2023

    Reunion? A new love? Which will you choose? Five pairs of ex-lovers live together in a luxury hotel for a month of Hocance. A realistic and mature love documentary.

    Amazon
    60
  • Poster for Creator's File: GOLD

    Creator's File: GOLD 2021

    Comedian Ryuji Akiyama satirizes top "creators" in Japan with a deadpan, unerring eye for humor, with help from some surprising celebrity guest stars.

    Netflix
    54
  • Poster for Monday Late Show

    Monday Late Show 2012

    Hosts Matsuko Deluxe and Murakami Shingo review street interviews based on current trends/topics in Japan.

    NTV
    55
  • Poster for Ariyoshi Assists

    Ariyoshi Assists 2023

    He's usually the host; but this time, Ariyoshi lets a rotating cast of celebrities be the MC of the show while he claims the role of bemused assistant.

    Netflix
    47
  • Poster for LIGHTHOUSE

    LIGHTHOUSE 2023

    Two leading entertainers casually get together for some real talk, shedding light on their vulnerabilities and worries, with lots of laughs along the way.

    Netflix
    43
  • Poster for LOVE CATCHER Japan

    LOVE CATCHER Japan 2023

    "Love Catcher Japan" consists of ten men and women spending eight special days together in Malaysia to find true love. With their true identities hidden, the participants begin their journey of discovering a “Love Catcher,” seeking love, and a “Money Catcher” aiming for money. In the end, if the final couple is paired up with “Love Catchers,” true love will bloom, while if a “Love Catcher” and a “Money Catcher” are paired up against each other, the “Money Catcher” wins a prize of 5 million yen. If two “Money Catchers” end up together, their journey ends without love and money.

    AbemaTV
    55
  • Poster for M-1 Grand Prix

    M-1 Grand Prix 2001

    The next generation of Manzai duos compete in a fierce battle of wits and laughter, unleashing their best material for a chance at comedic glory.

    Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
    55
  • Supreme Skills! 2015

    This programme highlights the supreme skill of Japanese engineers who compete to meet the challenge of exceptionally strict production standards.

    NHK
    55
  • Poster for Unbeatable Banzuke

    Unbeatable Banzuke 2008

    Unbeatable Banzuke is a "crazy" Japanese game show. It comprises of 20 challenging obstacle courses varying from doing hand stands to riding bikes.

    G4
    48
  • Poster for timelesz project -AUDITION-

    timelesz project -AUDITION- 2024

    Three former members of the boy band Sexy Zone — Fuma Kikuchi, Shori Sato and So Matsushima — hold auditions for their new group, timelesz.

    YouTube
    47
  • Poster for Why did you come to Japan?

    Why did you come to Japan? 2012

    A variety show that asks foreigners "Why did you come to Japan?" then follows them on their journeys.

    TV Tokyo
    47
  • Poster for Nogizaka Doko-e

    Nogizaka Doko-e 2019

    Hulu Japan
    46
  • Sea Of Japan 2018

    NHK
    45
  • Poster for Arashi ni Shiyagare

    Arashi ni Shiyagare 2010

    Arashi ni Shiyagare (嵐にしやがれ) (Must Be ARASHI!) is an ongoing Japanese variety show on NTV starring the members of Arashi. The show began on 24 April 2010 and it airs from 10:00 to 10:54 p.m. (JST) every Saturday. It is Arashi's sixth and current variety show to be aired on NTV as well as their third show to be aired during primetime. There will be a male guest, which the members of Arashi addresses as 'Aniki' (Brother), who will teach Arashi different things. The other section, called 'Encounter the Unknown', is where Arashi will pick up new skills, such as interviewing celebrities, learning the tips to climb a mountain, from meeting experienced professionals they usually have not met before.

    NTV
    40
  • What's Your Connection? 2018

    Discover surprising connections between Japan and people & places across the globe! Reporters talk with audience in various languages and bring them even closer in touch with Japan.

    NHK
    40
  • AKB48 SHOW! 2013

    Variety Show by AKB48 and the various sister groups SKE48, NMB48, HKT48

    NHK
    36
  • Poster for 3-Day Dare*Devils

    3-Day Dare*Devils 2018

    In this new entertainment-type documentary, challengers from Asian countries come all the way to Japan and go through difficult experiences for just 3 days. By seeing the challenger's struggles, you will come to understand the enthusiasm of the Japanese and what they value. Through the eyes of the daredevil, you'll discover another side of Japan you've never seen before.

    NHK WORLD-JAPAN
    35
  • Poster for Hadaka no Shounen

    Hadaka no Shounen 2001

    Main theme for the show is food, but unlike many food shows on Japanese TV the only time cooking comes into the view is the end segment when one recipe is shown. The rest of the time Seven Sages with two guests visit restaurants and small cafes, tasting food and recommending places to the viewers. Every food they taste is given a price tag and every place is shown on the map. All the places visited in the episode are listed in the end of the show, complete with addresses and phone numbers, and then added to the list on the site, along with featured recipe.

    tv asahi
    35
  • Poster for A*B*C Tours

    A*B*C Tours 2018

    Thanks to their appearance in hit Asian films, locations throughout Japan are being thrust into the spotlight. We visit these new tourist hotspots with the stars of the films that made them famous, hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of those hit movies.

    NHK WORLD-JAPAN
    35