23 Japanese Romantic Dramas & Movies to Binge Watch Now

If you’re already a fan of Japanese dramas, or even if you’re a new fan, it can be hard to decide what to watch next. There are so many Japanese dramas out there to be watched and enjoyed by all.

We have compiled a list of the best Japanese romance dramas accessible today, for those who are lovers of matters of the heart. Many of these Japanese romance movies and dramas have been adapted from popular manga comics, and others have come from top directors and writers within the industry.

Whatever it is that you want from a Japanese romantic drama, you will be sure to find it in this list.

Where Can I Watch Japanese Romantic Dramas?

Gradually, as Japanese romantic dramas are becoming increasingly popular around the world, many romantic Japanese dramas are now available on streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime or Netflix.

For those J Drama romances that are not as popular, streaming platforms such as Viki, NHK, and CrunchyRoll all host a wider range of Japanese dramas for you to enjoy.

Japanese Romance Movies To Watch

Sometimes, instead of a Japanese romantic drama series, you’d rather sit in your feelings watching a good movie. Here is our list of the best romantic Japanese romance movies to watch now.

1. Love Like The Falling Petals (2022)

Where to watch: Netflix
Run Time: 2hrs 8 mins

Love Like The Falling Petals, written by Tomoko Yoshida and directed by Yoshihiro Fukagawa, is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Keisuke Uyama.

When a budding photographer, Haruto falls for a hairdresser, Misaki, it seems that the pair will ultimately have a happy ending until Misaki falls ill. Misaki suffers from a rare disease Progeroid Syndrome that causes her to age rapidly and hers is an extreme case, leaving her with less than a year to live.

How will the paid survive this heartbreaking diagnosis, and will they remain by each other’s side regardless of Misaki’s illness?

2. Norwegian Wood (2010)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Run Time: 2hrs 13 mins

Directed by Tran Ahn Hung, Norwegian Wood is based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Haruki Murakami.

Set in 1960s Tokyo, a young man named Toru has lost his best friend Kizuki after a tragic event. After Kizuki’s death, Toru decided to move to Japan for university to help him leave his sad past behind and start a fresh life. By chance, Toru meets Kizuki’s ex-girlfriend Naoko and slowly, through their grief and shared experiences, they grow closer to one another.

Still devastated by the loss of Kizuki, Naoko spirals into a deep depression, and shortly after her 20th birthday she leaves Japan for a sanitarium in a remote forest in Kyoto.

Whilst Naoko is away, Toru meets a vivacious young woman named Midori at university, she is the exact opposite of Naoko. Toru must choose between the two women in his life and, ultimately, decide between his past and his future.

3. Love Life (2022)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Run Time: 2hrs 3 mins

Inspired by the song of the same name by musician Akiko Yano that was released in 1991 and directed by Köji Fukada, Love Life is a beautiful ode to love and family life.

Taeko lives peacefully with her husband and her son Keita, but a tragic accident brings the boy’s long-lost father, Park, back into their lives. Deaf, ill and homeless, Park is in desperate need of Taeko’s help. Taeko must now care for Park and fix the bind between father and son, whilst overcoming her husband’s protestations.

Japanese Romantic Dramas To Watch

We have a great list of fantastic Japanese romantic dramas for you to stream at home and enjoy watching with your friends and family. There truly is something for everyone in this genre, from serious, gritty dramas to light romcom Japanese drama, you’ll be sure to find something you enjoy.

1. First Love (2022)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Directed by Yuri Kanoruiku, First Love is set in the late 90s. The series follows a young couple, Harumichi and Yae who are high school sweethearts.

20 years later, the couple have gone their separate ways and have almost completely disappeared from each other’s lives, but all that changes when Harumichi spots Yae driving by in a taxi and begins to frantically search the city for her.

This romantic Japanese drama takes place across the two character’s corresponding timelines and the soundtrack is great with many iconic songs from 90s J-pop, bringing a sense of nostalgia to the plot.

2. Fight Song (2022)

Where to watch: Viki

Also known by the title ‘Faitosongu’, Fight Song was written by Okada Yoshikazu and is a delightful romantic Japanese drama series.

Kisara Hanae is a retired karate athlete, one day she meets songwriter Ashida Haruki who wrote the song she used to listen to before each one of her fights, he is her idol, and she is in awe of him.

Haruki is known to others as a one-hit wonder, and it is evident that he has many issues of his own to work through.

Hanea’s childhood best friend, Natsukawa Shingo is fond of Hanae and suspicious of Haruki’s intentions, and it seems that Shingo himself has something more than friendship on his mind. Shingo gets between Hanea and Haruki to try to stop them from falling for one another.

Hanea is keeping secrets from both men, however, and it is this that forces her to decide that this will be the last love of her life, but who will she choose?

3. Cursed In Love (2020)

Where to watch: Netflix

Written by Eto Rin and directed by Inomata Ryuichi, Cursed In Love pulls together mystery, romance and drama to create an angsty plot with lots of brooding characters.

The series follows Hanaoka Nao whose mother, Yuriko, works as a skilled confectioner working at a store called Kogetsuan.

When Nao is just 6 years old, she meets the store owners’ son, Takatuski Tsubaki, and they form a close bond.

Tsubaki’s father is murdered and in a tragic occurrence of events Nao’s mother, Yuriko, is the main suspect, but she passes away during the investigation and therefore the murder goes unsolved.

15 years later, Nao also works as a confectioner but faces a lot of backlash due to her mothers’ reputation as a murder suspect.

At the confectioners’ competition, Nao spots Tsubaki who doesn’t seem to recognise her from their youth, but takes a liking to her sweets.

As the pair head back to Kogestuan, how will Nao tell Tsubaki who she is without it affecting their friendship? As more shocking revelations begin to unfold, the truth of Tsubaki’s father’s death come to light.

4. Harem Marriage (2022)

Where to watch: Plex

Based on a popular manga ‘Hare-Kan’, Harem Marriage is written by Yamada Kana and directed by Ninomiya Takashi.

Kohani is tired of meeting men who lie and cheat on their wives and decides to move back home to find a fresh start. However, upon arriving home, she soon uncovers that her family has huge debts to pay, and she has to think of a way to earn enough money to pay the debts off for her family.

Kohani meets a mysterious stranger who agrees to pay off her families debts if she agrees to marry him. Kohani desperately accepts his proposal in order to help her family, but what she doesn’t know is that this man is already married and has two wives!

The series explores how the four live together and eventually form friendships with one another.

5. Rich Man, Poor Woman (2012)

Where to watch: Rakuten TV

Directed by Masaki Nishiura and written by Naoko Adachi, Rich Man Poor Woman follows the exciting trope of marrying outside your social status. It explores the many highs and lows of a relationship that forms when one party has access to money and the other does not.

The story follows Hyuga Toru who started a successful internet business whilst he was in high school. He goes on to drop out to start a software company that grows to be one of the largest and most successful software businesses.

Away from work, Toru has trouble recognising the faces of people and assumes that anyone who attempts to get close to him must ultimately be after his money. He is also searching for his mother, who left when he was very young.

One day he meets Makoto Natsui, a 4th year Tokyo University student looking for a job at his company. During a speech he makes at the recruitment event, he humiliates her in front of everyone and asks for her name. Natsui responds with ‘Chihiro Sawaki’ – his mother’s name, which throws Toru off.

Makoto eventually ends up working for Toru and the pair grow close, with Makoto realising that Toru is not as glum as he initially appears to be and Toru wondering if Makoto could help him to solve the mystery of his mothers’ disappearance.

6. Two People Who Can’t Fall In Love (2022)

Where to watch: Plex

This series explores the connection between two asexual characters, and whilst it is not your generic romantic Japanese drama, it is still an endearing story of care and love between friends. Written by Yoshida Erika and directed by Doi Shohei.

Two People Who Can’t Fall In Love follows the story of two characters who are totally uninterested in love.

Kodama Sakuko finds it very difficult to believe that every person will fall in love, at the local supermarket she sees that they are holding a ‘fall-in-love’ campaign. This is begrudgingly run by employee Takahashi Satoru who claims that some people won’t ever fall in love, which captures Sakuko’s attention.

At home, Sakuko’s mother constantly asks her when she will get married and find love, it is why she moved out in the first place, but now her roommate is leaving, and she needs to find a replacement.

Finding Satoru endearing and knowing that they have similar views and that he needs a place to live, Sakuko offers him the room, which he accepts.

The pair of friends support one another in their troubles and live harmoniously due to their aromantic nature.

7. Horimiya (2021)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Directed by Matsumoto Hana, Horimiya follows the story of Hori and Miyamura.

Hori is popular at school and is well-known for being intelligent and kind. But, away from school, Hori comes from a poor family and has to take care of the housework and her younger brother, so has no time to socialise with anyone.

Miyamura is a quiet and unpopular boy in school, but away from the classroom he shows off his tattoos and piercings, and contrary to his studious appearance he is academically dismal.

The pair meet outside of school and each are surprised by the others’ appearance. A friendship blossoms between them as they help to keep each other’s secrets from the rest of the school.

8. Ex-Enthusiasts: Motokare Mania (2019)

Where to watch: Viki

Ex-Enthusiasts: Motokare Mania is written by Tsubota Fumi and directed by Aizawa Hideyuki, and explores the nature of unrequited love and getting over an ex-lover.

Nariba Yurika is a pretty girl who has no luck in love, she finds herself unable to get over her ex-boyfriend of 5 years, Saito Makoto.

At her new job, Yurika meets the lovely Yamashita Akio and the pair make friends instantly. However, this blossoming friendship is jeopardised when none other than Saito Makoto walks through the door as the company’s newest employee.

Can Yurika embark on a new relationship, or will her past continue to hold her back?

9. Mischievous Kiss: Love In Tokyo (2013)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Adapted from the manga series ‘Itazurana Kiss’ by Tada Kaoru, this series is written by Miura Yuiko and directed by Nagata Koto.

Mischievous Kiss: Love In Tokyo, follows Kotoko Aihara who falls in love with her fellow student Naoki Irie. At first, her advances are rejected, as their fathers are best friends.

However, when tragedy strikes and Aihara’s home collapses, she and her father seek shelter with Irie and his father. Will the pair grow closer now that they are living under the same roof?

10. Last Cinderella (2013)

Where to watch: Apple TV & Viki

Last Cinderella, written by Nakatani Mayumi and directed by Tanaka Ryo is a modern retelling of the classic fairytale.

Sakura is 39 and has been single for many years as she is scared of falling in love. She works as a hairdresser and sees the handsome owner of the beauty salon, Tachibana Rintaro, catching the eye of all of their customers. Rintaro is fond of Sakura, but she never allows herself to explore any possible romantic connections with him as they work together.

One customer, Chiyoko, takes a liking to Rintaro, but she can see the connection between him and his colleague Sakura. Scheming a way into Rintaro’s heart, she asks her friend Saeki Hiroto to flirt with and date Sakura so that she is free to get closer to Rintaro.

Despite Chiyoko’s efforts, Rintaro does fall for Sakura and a love triangle forms. How will the quad work things out?

11. From 5 To 9 (2015)

Where to watch: Viki

Adapted from the manga of the same name by Aihara Miki, From 5 To 9 is written by Nemoto Nonji and directed by Hirano Shin.

From 5 to 9 tells the story of a monk falling in love and exploring a connection with an English teacher.

Sakuraba Junko is a 29-year-old English language teacher who has been single all her life. One day, while attending a funeral service at a temple, she meets a handsome monk.

Due to her clumsiness, she drops ashes on the monk as he chants sutras for the ritual. Junko is embarrassed, but she is glad that she will never need to see the monk after the service.

Back at home, her family decide to organise a match-making session for her, and her match ends up being none other than the handsome monk from the funeral service!

The pair embark on a wonderful romance together, setting this romcom Japanese drama up to be a funny and light story from beginning to end.

12. Sumika Sumire (2016)

Where to watch: Viki

This romcom Japanese drama series stars Kiritani Mirei as a 20-year-old college student, Kisaragi Sumire, who has a big secret – she’s actually a 65-year-old woman who is trying to have a second chance at life.

She was a meek woman who was forced to look after her family in her early life, and so she never seemed to find time to herself to have a relationship. When her mother passes away, Sumire wishes to be young again and start new. The next morning, she wakes up as her 20-year-old self.

How will she keep her secret from her peers, and what will she do first as she explores romantic connections with her classmates?

13. Koi Wa Deep Ni (2021)

Where to watch: We TV

Written by Tokuo Koji and directed by Iwamoto Hitoshi, Koi Wa Deep Ni follows how love blossoms at the Shibaura University of Marine Science And Technology.

Nagisa Mio is an Oceanographer at the Shibaura University of Marine Science And Technology. Despite being a friendly and good-natured person, she holds a dark secret about her past and her family.

Hasuda Rintaro is the second son of a wealthy family and although feared by those around him, he is a warm and friendly person. He returns to Japan due to his poor health, and he is placed in charge of a Marine Development Project at the university.

While Mio wants to protect the ocean and opposes the university project, Rintaro is staking his life on it.

The two meet over the project and despite having opposing views, both fall in love. However, when Mio’s secret is revealed, they find their romance may be forbidden.

14. My Love Mix Up (2021)

Where to watch: Viki

Directed by Au Kornprom Niyomsil and adapted from Hinekure Wakaru’s manga of the same name, My Love Mix Up is a fantastic romcom Japanese drama.

The series is set in a high school where students Aoki Sota has a crush on the girl he sits next to in class, Hashimoto Mio. One day he borrows her eraser and sees that she has written the name of another boy – Ida Kousuke. Ida sees Aoki holding the eraser and assumes that it belongs to him and that he is the one who has a crush on him.

The series unfolds into a feel-good Japanese romcom drama that brings a lot of laughs with it.

15. I Will Be Your Bloom (2022)

Where to watch: Netflix

Directed by Tusboi Toshio and Kato Naoki and written by Yoshida Erika, ‘I Will Be Your Bloom’ is the very latest in Japanese romantic drama series available on Netflix.

A former teacher, Nakamachi Asuka, becomes a housekeeper at a student house after leaving her teaching position.

The house is occupied by an unsuccessful boy band. The leader of the band, Sagami Dan, is a former student of Asuka’s. He tells her in secret that although the band is a failure, he is devoted to their success and still has a passion for music.

Asuka vows to help the group achieve their success, but what will it take to get there?

16. Switched (2018)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Written by Okada Michitaka and directed by Matsuyama Hirouki, Switched has been adapted from Kawabata Shiki’s manga comic ‘Sora Wo Kareku Yodaka.’

Ayumi Kohinata is a popular high school girl who has the perfect life, good friends, good looks and a handsome boyfriend.

Zenko Umine is an unpopular girl who goes to the same school as Ayumi.

Whilst out on a date with her boyfriend, Ayumi sees Zenko fall from a building and she faints. When she wakes up, she finds herself in Zenko’s body with Zenko in hers. With her friends, boyfriend and her good looks stolen from her, how can she ever win her life back?

17. Good Morning Call (2016)

Where to watch: Netflix

Written by Kanome Keiko and Obayashi Reiko and directed by Fujio Takashi, Good Morning Call was adapted from the manga of the same name written by Yue Takasuka.

Yoshikawa Neo chooses to live alone when her parents leave the city to inherit her grandparent’s farm in the country.

When she arrives at her new apartment she realises it has also been rented out to Uehara Hisashi, a popular guy she knows from high school.

With no homes to go to and no way to pay the rent as individuals, the pair decide to live together, but they both want to keep it a secret at school.

Can the two keep their secrets between them, and will they grow closer as they live together?

18. From Me To You: Kimi Ni To Doke (2023)

Where to watch: Netflix

Adapted from Shiina Karuho’s manga of the same name and written by Muytomo Hayato and directed by Kikuchi Takeo, ‘From Me To You’ is a brilliant Japanese romantic drama series.

The series follows Kuronuma Sawako, a shy girl who has difficulty making friends. She is often nicknamed ‘Sadako’ by her peers due to her resemblance to the long haired character from the movie ‘The Ring’ who bares the same name.

She admires her fellow student Kazehaya Shota from afar, due to his easy-going nature. Unknown to her, Shota has been paying attention to her and doesn’t care what other people have to say.

19. We Got Married As A Job (2016)

Where to watch: Netflix

Written by Nogi Akiko and directed by Kaneko Fuminori, ‘We Got Married As A Job’ follows 25-year-old Moriyama Mikuri who graduated with no job offers. She became a temporary employee but was even laid off from that position.

She feels unwanted and displaced. She starts work as a housekeeper for bachelor Tsuzaki Hiramasa by chance. One day he proposes a contract of marriage to her and she accepts.

With the two married in secret, how will their married life turn out?

20. Clinic On The Sea (2013)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Directed by Tanimura Masaki and written by Tokunaga Yuichi, ‘Clinic On The Sea’ is an adventurous Japanese romantic drama series that takes viewers to different islands far from the mainland cities.

Dr Kouta Sezaki works on a clinic ship, which sails around the Seto inland sea. He is a good doctor, but he is someone who falls in love far too easily.

The series follows Dr Kouta as he travels from island to island fixing ailments and responding to medical emergencies. Sometimes an island dweller will catch his eye and romance unfolds.

Why Should I Watch Japanese Romantic Dramas?

Japanese romantic dramas bring heaps of entertainment as narratives plunge into the heart of romance, scandal and friendly flirting.

Jdrama romance provides the perfect outlet for you to watch your favourite characters fall in love time and time again, and the storylines of Japanese romantic dramas are generally quite playful and comical too.

If you are trying to learn more about Japanese culture or want to learn the language, then Japanese romantic dramas are the perfect way to learn and have fun doing so.

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