Wonderful Books & Movies for Your Trip to Japan

The Good Shufu: Finding Love, Self, and Home on the Far Side of the World

When she unexpectedly falls head over heels for a man based in Osaka who barely speaks her language, the author builds a life and marriage in Japan—a country that is at once captivating and deeply isolating.  She struggles to understand the language and navigate even the most basic social cues until eventually, thankfully finding her footing until Japan feels like home.

The Only Gaijin in the Village

Following their first year in a rural Japanese village, this humorous memoir is the story of the Scottish author’s attempt to fit in, be accepted, and fulfil his duties as a member of the community, despite being the only foreigner in the village.

Geisha, A Life

The fiction book (and movie) Memoirs of a Geisha was based on this woman’s life.  Now being told her in own words, this is the true story of what it was like growing up to the be one of the most famous geishas of all time. 

Rice Noodle Fish

In this 5,000-mile culinary adventure across Japan’s noodle shops, tempura havens, and traditional teahouses, the author explores the rich intersection of food, history, and culture. The result is one of the most immersive and comprehensive accounts of Japanese cuisine ever written from a Western perspective.

Tokyo on Foot

This award-winning book is a vibrant graphic memoir that offers a humorous, heartfelt, and visually stunning journey through a side of Tokyo rarely captured in traditional travel guides—told through the eyes of an artist with wit and charm.

The Woman in the White Kimono

Promised in marriage to someone else, a girl finds herself pregnant by an American sailor in 1957. Modern day, a girl must travel to a remote village in Japan to find out the truth about her father.

A Tale for the Time Being

This beautiful book weaves together the stories of a troubled Japanese teenager and the Canadian writer who discovers her diary washed ashore.  She reads the diary and finds it filled with bullying, depression, and a connection to a Zen Buddhist nun.  It’s a story of identity, suffering, and the invisible threads that link lives across the world.

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms

A sweeping historical novel that follows the lives of two brothers growing up in Japan and how their lives are affected by World War II. As they pursue their dreams of sumo wrestling and mask making for Noh theater, their lives reflect the cultural tensions and emotional upheaval of a nation in turmoil. This book is a beautifully written story of resilience, family, and tradition. 

Earthquake Bird

Set mostly in Tokyo, this haunting thriller opens with the revelation of a murder and draws readers deep into the mind of its prime suspect- a young, fragile English woman working as a translator. As police interrogate her, she slowly unravels the story of her past, one filled with unsettling secrets that blur the line between innocence and guilt.

Sayonara

In the middle of the Korean War, an American army major falls in love with the star of a famous Japanese dance troupe.  His love is put to the test as prejudices and cultures clash and try to pull them apart.  It’s also worth checking out the 1957 movie starring Marlon Brando.

The Kamogawa Food Detectives

This is the first in a series about a father and daughter team that run a diner down a backstreet in Kyoto.  They serve food, yes, but people come to have them recreate dishes from their most treasured memories.  

Anthony Bourdain

Parts Unknown- Season 2 (Tokyo), Season 6 (Okinawa), Season 8 (Ishikawa/Kanazawa, Tochigi)

A Cook’s Tour- Season 1 (Tokyo, Atami)

No Reservations- Season 2 (Osaka), Season 4 (Tokyo), Season 7 (Hokkaido)

The Mind of a Chef

The Season 1 host of this show is David Chang.  He has episodes on Noodles where he travels to a ramen factory in Japan, Pork where he cooks Katsu, and an entire episode on Japan where he visits Tokyo and other places with friends.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

A captivating portrait of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, Tokyo’s legendary sushi master, whose Michelin-starred restaurant has become a pilgrimage site for sushi enthusiasts from around the world.

Emperor

After Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II, General Bonner Fellers is tasked with deciding whether Emperor Hirohito should be tried for war crimes and possibly executed.

The Last Samurai

Based on a true story with fictional details, this is the story of an American military officer who is hired by the Emperor of Japan to train his army in modern warfare.  In the process, he is deeply moved by the way of life of the Samurai and the culture clash of old vs. new.

Memoirs of a Geisha

In the 1920s, a 9-year-old girl is sold to a geisha house, where she is forced into servitude.  She learns to entertain male guests through conversation, dance, and song and rises the ranks to become one of the most well-known of her time.  The visuals in this movie are incredible but you can also read the novel.

Pachinko

This TV show follows the story of a Korean family’s move to Japan and the troubles they encounter trying to fit into their new, reserved home.  It hops through different time periods to show the lasting effects on the family. This is based on the best-selling novel, Pachinko,  if you’d rather read the book.

You Only Live Twice

When British intelligence uncovers evidence that a missing space shuttle has landed in the Sea of Japan, secret agent James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to undertake the covert mission. While there, he unravels a deadly global conspiracy that threatens to ignite all-out war.  Or you can read the novel. 

Lost in Translation

In the heart of Tokyo’s neon-lit maze, two strangers cross paths and form an unexpected connection.  As they explore the city together- its temples, karaoke bars, and secret places- they find a sense of comfort and connection with each other.

Ramen Girl

After being dumped by her boyfriend in Japan, an American woman finds unexpected refuge in a small ramen shop, where the warm-hearted owner and his wife take her in. As she becomes their apprentice, she bonds with the shop’s quirky and loyal patrons, discovering friendship, purpose, and a new sense of belonging in the most unlikely of places.

Kusama- Infinity

Artist Yayoi Kusama overcomes sexism and racism as she rises to prominence in the American art scene of the 1960s. From her strict, conservative upbringing in Japan to her bold move to New York, Her journey ultimately leads to her return to Japan, where she continues creating art while living in a Tokyo mental institution.  You also might want to read her autobiography.  

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron

A documentary offering an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Boy and the Heron, filmed over an extraordinary seven years with exclusive access to Studio Ghibli and the master creator, Hayao Miyazaki.