See the newest Instagram and blog updates from Tokyo including our day tours from Tokyo, cool activities and the Tokyo life in general.
Photo-credit: IMDB
Based on the biography Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, this film follows the true story of Louis Zamperini an Olympian and Captain in the Army Air Force who survived on a life raft for 47 days after his B-24 bomber went down over the Pacific during the Second World War. After being on the life raft, he is captured by the Japanese and sent to several different POW camps where he is tortured and beaten for several years.
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
A documentary about the concern for suicide in Japan. It follows a Buddhist monk who asks us what we owe each other and counsels those who are contemplating between life and death. Quiet, sad and touching, this monk guides people in finding answers.
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
In this documentary, filmmaker Mami Sunada is granted special access to the world renowned Studio Ghibli and follows their employees including renowned directors Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki while they are trying to produce two films: The wind Rises and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. This documentary explores the true genius and beauty behind those of Studio Ghibli and how they are able to produce some of the best animations in the world.
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
This documentary centers around Jiro Ono, an 85 year old sushi master who owns a 10 seated, sushi only, 3 starred Michelin restaurant in a Tokyo subway station. His restaurant only takes reservations - which must be reserved months in advanced - and costs a minimum of 30,000 Yen (about 300 dollars). Learn and discover the secrets of Jiro who maintains such a high quality level of sushi over the years.
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
Considered by critics to be one of the greatest films ever created, Tokyo Story is a 1953 film that centers around an aging couple and their daughter who visit their doctor son and wife in Tokyo. The insensitive doctor, too busy for them, send them off to a resort where they are unable to enjoy themselves in a noisy place filled with tourists. When the film came out in 1953, it was considered too Japanese to be shown in the West. But, when it released in America in 1972, the film received extremely high praise. Often cited as one of the greatest films of all time and consistently on greatest films of all times lists, this film is considered Yasujiro’s masterpiece.
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
Ring is a 1998 film based on the novel with the same name by Koji Suzuki. This horror film follows a reporter who is rushing to solve a strange mystery behind a cursed video where someone dies within a week of watching the video. The film was a huge box office success and even inspired American remakes of the film.
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
One Cut of the Dead is a zombie-comedy film with a low budget (about 25,000 dollars) starring unknown actors. It released in small theaters in Japan with plans to only screen for 6 days, however the film received massive success for it’s unique and new style of movie-making. The film features a quirky opening scene where a low budget zombie film is being filmed in an abandoned water filtration plant when a real zombie apocalypse breaks out. The director insists on continuously filming and the camera doesn’t stop for 37 minutes straight. This film was highly praised for it’s new film-making styles, humor, writing and direction.
Photo-credit: IMDB
Tom Cruise stars in this American period action drama set in the 19th century - a time for modernization and change in Japan - as a Civil War veteran named Nathan Algren who is hired by Emperor Meiji to train an army capable of defeating a Samurai-headed rebellion. But, Nathan is captured by Samurais and learns about their lifestyle and the way of the warrior and soon begins to question which side he should be fighting for. This film was a big blockbuster hit and also paved way for the exposure of Japanese actor Ken Watanabe to Hollywood.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Notable Actors: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya
Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, National Board of Review Awards for Best Picture, Japan Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film
Year: 2006
Photo-credit: Wikipedia
This Japanese language-American war film portrays the campaign of Iwo Jima from the Japanese soldiers perspective, which acts as the companion to Flags of our Fathers - the American perspective. Private First Class Saigo, who was just an ordinary baker, experiences the horrors of war and looks to General Kuribayashi to lead them into battle. The film received widespread praise for its direction, story and portrayals of good and bad during wartime.
