Top 10 Japanese Movies to Stream on Netflix

"Love Like the Falling Petals" is a heart-touching Netflix original movie adapted from a novel by Keisuke Uyama that was first published in 2017. It beautifully captures the blossoming romance between the main characters, Asakura Haruto and Ariake Misaki.

Haruto, a photographer on the verge of abandoning his dreams, finds renewed inspiration after meeting Misaki, a charming hairdresser he meets at a salon. Haruto then asks Misaki out, and they begin a sweet, joy-filled relationship.

However, their happiness is challenged when Misaki is diagnosed with a rare and terminal illness that causes her body to age rapidly. Misaki's condition is so severe that she may have less than a year to live.

Faced with this heartbreaking reality, Haruto and Misaki bravely face their circumstances, learning and embracing the profound depths of love in the face of adversity.

Embarking on an adventure to see the world, Little Red Riding Hood (Kanna Hashimoto) sets off on an exciting journey. Her path soon crosses with a magical fairy who gifts her a shimmering glass slipper. Not long after, she meets Cinderella (Yuko Araki) and generously offers the shoe to the princess.

Cinderella is eager to attend a grand ball where she hopes to meet the prince. So, she invites Little Red Riding Hood to join her. However, on their way there, their pumpkin carriage hits a man who looks dead.

They both get scared and hide the man's body, then keep going to the ball. At the ball, they try to forget what happened. Cinderella even meets the Prince. But then, things go wrong when the dead man is found by people at the party. Now, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood are in big trouble.

"Once Upon A Crime" is a unique fusion of fairy tale and detective genres, presenting a 1 hour and 45 minute film that showcases a different side to our beloved characters, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella.

"We Couldn't Become Adults" is a Japanese film that turns a simple life story into something deep and meaningful. Written by Ryou Takada and directed by Yoshihiro Mori, the movie captures the essence of life's lessons in a unique way.

The plot is straightforward: a man looks back on his past to find ways to improve his present life. What makes the movie captivating is its reverse storytelling, set against the backdrop of Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Here, the main character, Sato, embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Sato, a 46-year-old graphic designer, feels his life is uneventful. His job is his only refuge from the dullness of his relationship with a woman. He starts reminiscing about a Facebook friend request he received years ago from an old flame, Kaori.

Kaori is now married with children. Sato's curiosity about his former girlfriends grows. He sets out on a journey, revisiting the places he once shared with his exes, exploring his past to understand his present.

In Love and Deep water is an alluring romantic mystery film centered around a tragic murder on a prestigious cruise liner. The narrative takes shape aboard the grand vessel, Ocean Majesty, as it sails towards the tranquil water of the Mediterranean Sea, where an unexpected crime disrupts its journey.

The plot is set in motion when Suguru Nakamura (Ryo Yoshizawa), a committed crew member aboard the Ocean Majesty, crosses paths with a guest, Chizuru (Aoi Miyazaki). In a twist of fate, Chizuru confides in Suguru that her boyfriend is romantically involved with Suguru's partner. This revelation leads Chizuru to persuade Suguru to abandon the voyage and head back to Japan.

Initially, Suguru is bewildered by Chizuru's startling disclosure. However, his confusion quickly pales in comparison to the shocking events that follow. Amidst the luxury and leisure, they, along with other guests, are horrified to discover a lifeless body floating in the cruise ship's pool.

Thrust into this mysterious circumstance, Suguru and Chizuru join forces to unravel the mystery behind the passenger's untimely demise. As they navigate through clues and uncover secrets, their collaborative effort gradually kindles a deep, mutual affection, binding them together beyond the investigation.

Based on a song and an autobiographical book by Kitano Takeshi, "Asakusa Kid" takes place in 1965 and focuses on two main characters, Kitano Takeshi and Fukami Senzaburo.

Takeshi decides to leave university behind and joins Asakusa France Za, a well-known theater group. There, he gets the opportunity to be an apprentice to Fukami, a legendary performer also known as Senzaburo.

Even though many people were switching to watching TV for entertainment, Takeshi chooses to spend his youth in the theater, learning and growing with Senzaburo and other apprentices.

The story follows Takeshi as he forms meaningful connections and gains life-changing experiences with Senzaburo, all while the world of entertainment is rapidly evolving around them.

"The Forest of Love" is more than just a make-believe story. Directed by Sion Sono, it's based on the real-life events of Futoshi Matsunaga, a notorious criminal active in Kyushu, Japan, from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s.

The film dives into a dark story of control and obsession. It revolves around a group of young people who fall under the spell of Joe Murata. Murata, a cunning serial killer and con artist, not only swindles people out of their money but also plays with their emotions.

One of his targets is a group of young filmmakers. Captivated by Murata's enigmatic presence, they decide to create a film about his life. But this choice leads them down a dangerous path. Murata is hungry for power and begins to dominate the film project. He transforms from a mere advisor to a manipulative puppet master, pushing the young crew to do terrible things in the name of making the "perfect" film.

Chihiro's (Kasumi Arimura) journey as a prostitute takes a turn when she visits a small bento shop and falls in love with their food. This experience inspires her to leave her previous profession and join the bento shop as an employee.

Now a dedicated bento shopkeeper, Chihiro warmly welcomes her customers, often engaging in heartfelt conversations with them. She listens to their troubles and doesn’t shy away from sharing her own past if it can offer them encouragement.

Beneath Chihiro’s cheerful exterior and strength lies a history of loneliness that traces back to her childhood. Interacting and sharing stories with her customers becomes Chihiro’s own way of healing and dealing with her solitude.

Despite its leisurely pace, the movie imparts significant life lessons through Chihiro’s interactions with her customers. The challenges faced by the characters are portrayed realistically, without excessive drama, allowing the audience to enjoy the film without experiencing intense emotional turmoil.