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3 films to watch at the Japanese Film Festival 2024

The Japanese Film festival 2024 has begun! Here are some movies to see, and some travel inspiration to accompany them.

Image: A Samurai In Time © 2023 MIRAIEIGASHA

1. A Samurai in Time

Genre: Action, comedy, period 

With one strike of lightning, samurai Kosaka Shinzaemon accidentally teleports through time and finds himself in modern day Japan. However, his realisation doesn't hit so quickly, because of all places, he happens to land on a period drama film set! After facing the director’s wrath for veering away from a script he has no idea about, Kosaka is saved by the kind assistant director Yuka. The samurai soon comes to terms with his troubling situation and learns to make a living as a kirareyaku, a swordsman whose job is to die spectacularly on film. Mesmerised by the world of showbiz, will Kosaka adapt to his new reality, or will the grudges of the Edo period war slice his life apart?

A Samurai in Time was made in memory of Seizo Fukumoto, Japan’s leading kirareyaku who died more than 50,000 times on camera and starred as the Silent Samurai in Last Samurai (2003). With Makiya Yamaguchi in the lead role, this fish-out-of-water comedy is one that’s sure to bring the laughs, while also paying homage to samurai cinema. Director Junichi Yasuda is also a man of many talents, who not only founded his production company MIRAIEIGASHA in 2014, but also took over his father’s rice farming business in 2023. ‘If A Samurai in Time doesn't become a hit, I won't be able to continue growing rice’ – Director Junichi Yasuda.

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Location feature: Nakasendo

In the movie, samurai Kosaka Shinzaemon teleports from the Edo Period (1603-1868) to present day Japan. In the present day, there are ways to experience Edo Japan, visiting the Toei Kyoto Studio Park (one of the filming locations for the movie), or by visiting the Nakasendo!  

The Nakasendo is one of Japan’s most popular and well-known multi-day walks, and it’s not hard to see why. In its day, Nakasendo was a thoroughfare for aristocrats, peasants, traders, and pilgrims alike who sought to travel from Edo (olden-day Tokyo) to Kyoto, and vice-versa. It connects the two cities through the mountainous heart of Japan, passing through charming post towns such as Magome in Gifu Prefecture and Tsumago in Nagano Prefecture, where traditional wooden buildings and cobblestone streets transport travellers back in time.

Hikers can experience the serene landscapes, lush forests, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains while traversing the well-preserved sections of the path. Along the way, the route reveals a rich cultural heritage, with opportunities to enjoy local cuisine, visit historical inns and engage with friendly locals. Walking the Nakasendo is not just a journey through the countryside, it’s an immersive experience that invites travellers to connect with Japan's past while savouring its breathtaking scenery.

The entire Nakasendo is 540 kilometres long, with 69 post towns once dotted along the way, serving as rest stops for travellers to stay the night and recuperate before they resumed their journeys. Nowadays, visitors have the option to experience the Nakasendo in a range of ways: walking some sections and taking public transport for the rest, taking day trips to the post towns, or the truly adventurous can do the entire walk!

 


Image: The Dancing Okami © 映画「レディ加賀」製作委員会

2. The Dancing Okami  

Genre: Comedy, drama 

When her childhood dreams of becoming a tap dancer are dashed, Yuka decides to return to her hometown of Kaga and follow her mother’s footsteps of becoming an okami, or the traditional manager of a Japanese inn. However, Yuka’s new career path proves to be more challenging than it seems: her clumsiness makes the various training exercises difficult, and with Kaga Onsen facing a financial crisis, the pressure’s on to attract visitors to the area. In a last-ditch effort to save the town, Yuka devises a plan to choreograph a dance and perform with her fellow budding okami at the local charity event. With no tap dancing experience amongst the group and time running out, can the dancing okami put on a show to remember?

Inspired by Kaga’s real-life tourism campaign, The Dancing Okami was brought to life with the cooperation of the town’s local community and tourism association. Directed by Toshiro Saiga, this heartwarming musical comedy chronicles the protagonist’s inspiring journey to success, with the beautiful scenery of the Kaga Onsen region as its stage.

Film based in Kaga Onsen and based on the tourism campaign of Lady Kaga.

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Location feature: Kaga Onsen

Image: Copyright © Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League.

Kaga Onsen should be one on the list for onsen lovers! Located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kaga Onsen is a collection of four onsen villages – Yamanaka Onsen, Yamashiro Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen and Awazu Onsen. The villages boast rejuvenating hot spring baths, traditional crafts and stunning nature.

Yamanaka Onsen is renowned for its stunning natural scenery and vibrant arts scene. Guests can visit the Yamanaka-za Theater and see geisha perform traditional dance. Arts and crafts lovers will appreciate the local Yamanaka lacquerware and Kutani-yaki pottery workshops, where they can try their hand at this centuries-old craft.

With a history dating back to the 8th century, Yamashiro Onsen is celebrated for its rich mineral waters and charming ryokans. The area offers a tranquil atmosphere and lush surroundings, with many outdoor baths providing stunning views.

Katayamazu Onsen is situated near the serene Lake Shibayama and is ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat. The area features lakeside ryokans and a public bathhouse with outdoor baths that offer stunning views.

Awazu Onsen is known for its serene ambiance and mineral-rich waters. It attracts wellness seekers looking to rejuvenate, and is home to one of the world’s oldest hot spring hotels still in operation – Houshi Ryokan. Awazu Onsen is also home to handicraft craft village Yunokuni no Mori, providing visitors with an opportunity to engage with local arts and crafts.

Kaga Onsen is also close to Kakusenkei Gorge and Mt Hakusan – it is the perfect location for any season, and for art, outdoors and nature-loving travellers!

 

Image: Mom, Is That You?! ©2023 "MOM, IS THAT YOU?!" Film Partners

3. Mom, is That You?!

Working amongst the so-called ‘elite’ in bustling Tokyo, HR manager Akio finds himself seriously burnt out amidst work-related problems, his impending divorce and a strained relationship with his college-aged daughter, Mai. Seeking a reprieve from the stresses of modern life, Akio decides to pay a visit to his childhood home where his mother Fukue lives. But instead of the familiar matronly figure he’s used to, Akio is shocked when he is greeted by a transformed Fukue donning fashionable attire, and that’s not the biggest surprise... she seems to have fallen in love! As Akio spends more time at home and gets to know a side of his mother he'd never seen before, he gradually rediscovers what’s important in life – something he had long lost sight of.

Heartfelt, wholesome and relatable, film veteran Yoji Yamada’s 90th film is a feelgood portrayal of intergenerational family in modern Japan. A recurrent actor in Yamada’s filmography, Sayuri Yoshinaga gives a moving performance as Akio’s mother Fukue, portraying the character with a gentleness and warmth that will touch the hearts of audiences on the other side of the screen. Also starring Yo Oizumi and Mei Nagano, this multilayered story captures the ever-evolving nature of family relationships, while shining a light on Japan’s fading downtown culture.

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Location Feature: Sumida

Mom, is That You?! was filmed in Sumida, specifically in a downtown area called Mukojima.
Sumida is a vibrant district in Tokyo that beautifully blends tradition with modernity. Home to the iconic Tokyo Skytree, Sumida Park, and the Sumida Hokusai Museum, visitors can get a taste of local art and connect with Tokyo’s creative spirit.

Within this district lies Mukojima which features the tranquil Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden, a beautiful Edo-Period landscape garden that showcases seasonal flowers and serene pathways. With its riverside parks along the Sumida River, Mukojima is perfect for leisurely strolls, especially during cherry blossom season. Sumida and Mukojima present a delightful experience for travellers with a diverse array of activities, making it pit-stop-worthy destination in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.

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