Best Japanese documentary series

Decision (1971)

Japanology Plus (2014)

Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.

Japanese Style Originator (2008)

Find out everything there is to know about Japanese tradition, from food to culture, to objects and arts, and the people who are continuing it today.

Naoki Urasawa's Manben neo (2020)

Reboot of the original Manben series from 2014-2017. Naoki Urasawa is returning to visit eight different manga authors, observe them in their daily work and discuss the creation of manga.

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.

DESIGN TALKS (2014)

Hosted by Andrea Pompilio; magazine style intellectual aesthetic voyage, exploring art and philosophy in Japanese designs from antiques to high-techs, commodities and fashions.

Japanese Style Originator (2008)

Find out everything there is to know about Japanese tradition, from food to culture to objects and arts, and the people who are continuing it today.

Caligula (2018)

"Caligula" is a psychological phenomenon in which you want do things that are prohibited. Featured here are numerous pitches rejected by multiple TV stations. However, there are some treasures buried among them. Proposals once buried in the darkness revived here!

buratamori (2009)

Bura Tamori (ブラタモリ, sometimes stylized as "BURATAMORI")）is a Japanese weekly geological TV series broadcast domestically on NHK General Television and internationally on NHK World Premium hosted by Tamori. It was launched in 2008. In the program, Tamori, accompanied by NHK's female broadcaster, strolls Japan's city or area with professional or amateur geologists, local historians or curators, and explores the place's terrain features and geological changes, as well as its history, culture and civil engineering.

Ryōtarō Shiba Zatsudan: Shōwa eno Michi (1986)

Beginning with the Meiji Restoration, modern Japan became a great power in Asia, but ended in the catastrophe of defeat. Writer Ryōtarō Shiba's recognition of this history has led him to tell the story of the Showa period before the madness of war, going back to the end of the Meiji-Bakumatsu periods, in a 12-part series.

Moriguchi Hiroko no Mega Kids TV (1990)

Today's Close-Up (2016)

The program delivers "today's" information of Japan, probing into timely themes from various perspective in quickest possible manner.

乃木坂46 橋本奈々未の恋する文学 (2016)

Supreme Skills! (2015)

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

Sea Of Japan (2018)

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.

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.

Asia's Appetizing Adventures (2018)

Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. Join him as he experiences a diversity of tastes and lifestyles throughout the region.

The Tetsuwan DASH (1995)

Guri's Crazy Journey In The United States (2018)

"Crazy Journeys" - who travel around the world and around Japan with their own perspectives and commitmentsGathered in the studio, talk about experiences that are far from ordinary people

Is It OK If We Follow You Home? (2014)

In Tokyo, after midnight, many people wander around without destinations. Some were partying, some were working late, and some were just too drunk to catch the train on time. What happens if a camera crew suddenly asks them to let a camera follow them home in exchange of paying the taxi fare? There is no time for preparation for the interviewee. The camera documents their house just as it is. Some starts to talk about their previous dream by showing photo albums. Some start to confess their gratefulness towards their wife in the middle of the night. Why not discover how people react when a TV crew suddenly visits their home after midnight.

NHK Special (1989)

An NHK flagship program, centered around a diverse range of documentaries, delves into the dynamic shifts of society, politics and history, as well as the breathtaking wonders of the natural world.

The 20th Century on Film (1995)

It is a program that depicts the 20th century with valuable images collected from archives in more than 30 countries around the world, memoirs and testimonies. The music by Takashi Kako, including the main theme "Is Paris on Fire?" Aoni Production is in charge of the appearance of the voice reading the memoirs and testimonies.

Dear Sister (2014)

Growing up, sisters Misaki and Hazuki couldn't have been more different. Misaki's charming personality and popularity stood in sharp contrast to the older, more responsible yet timid Hazuki. After high school, the two lose touch once Misaki leaves their home, only to be reunited many years later, when Misaki returns, harboring a secret.

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki (2019)

A chronicle of the creative process of the legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, a passionate artisan, a steadfast trailblazer, and a father butting heads with his son…

Begin Japanology (2008)

BEGIN Japanology invites you into the world of Japanese culture, both traditional and modern, explaining how traditions evolved and the part they still play today in people's everyday lives.

Amazing Dinoworld (2019)

New discoveries of dinosaur fossils are completely changing what we know about the animals that lived on our planet millions of years ago.

Hyper HardBoiled Gourmet Report (2017)

To live is to eat. For people around the world in precarious and dangerous circumstances, eating itself is dangerous, precarious, and essential.

Manben: Behind the Scenes of Manga with Urasawa Naoki (2015)

Documentary TV series examining the process of drawing manga from an insider's perspective. Urasawa Naoki no Manben is hosted by veteran manga artist Naoki Urasawa (Monster, Pluto, 20th Century Boys) and follows different artists each episode, watching them draw their manga from scratch and exploring what differentiates their styles.

Train Otaku Michiko, 20,000 km. (2022)

Ohganeku Michiko, who works in the planning sales department of a famous furniture maker, had a traumatic experience with her ex-boyfriend in the past. Being a railway otaku for 10 years, she uses her free time to visit train stations on local lines nationwide where she meets various people, enjoys the scenery and delicacies.