The Best Rom Coms Set in Japan You Need to Watch
From unbelievably fast trains to the unique "kawaii" sense of style, Japan can feel like a world away. While the language, the setting, and the culture are completely different from what we're accustomed to, Japanese rom coms are still beautiful love stories with a healthy dose of laughter.
That said, here are some of the best rom coms set in Japan that are definitely worth watching
Hana Yori Dango Final (2008)
This rom com is the final part of the hugely popular Hana Yori Dango trilogy — two top-rating seasons preceded it on the small screen. Here, Tsukushi (a hard-working middle-class woman) and Tsukasa (the son of one Japan's wealthiest tycoons) embark on a romance that overcomes social barriers. In fact, a feature on Japan Times likens it to the Hollywood film Crazy Rich Asians.
The final part of the trilogy follows the couple as they face numerous obstacles before their nuptials. Plus, it shows you the fascinating world of Japanese high society. And you don't even have to start the show to enjoy the rom com. Apart from providing enough background for anyone to understand, Hana Yori Dango Final is a thrilling rom com that will quickly have you rooting for the couple's happy ending.
Crying Out Love in the Center of the World (2004)
Sometimes, high romances are unforgettable — and Crying Out Love in the Center of the World exquisitely shows why. The rom com follows Saku and his fiancée, Ritsuko, as they travel to his hometown, Shikoku, to recount his teenage love story with his ex-girlfriend Aki. An extensive guide to Japan by ExpatBets outlines how Shikoku is one of the eight regions that make up the country. It's a quiet region with enchanting rural areas like beaches and forests. The serene nature of Shikoku is a stunning backdrop for Saku and Aki's beautiful yet bittersweet relationship.
Though set in the present, the rom com goes back in time when Ritsuko discovers cassette tapes recorded by the young couple. And as the messages play, it shows viewers how the teenagers confront Aku's leukemia diagnosis. Crying Out Love in the Center of the World is a touching adventure that's filled with lots of laughs — and maybe, some tears.
One Week Friends (2017)
After encountering Kaori at a train, Yuki falls head over heels in love with Kaori and decides to pursue her. The trouble is Kaori suffers from amnesia, and forgets almost everything after a week. Despite this, he starts a friendship and gives her a journal where they write down memories every week. One Week Friends follows the classic "The Friend Who Was There All Along" trope, which Lana Schwartz explains as an endearing love story where the one has been under the character's nose all along.
Song to the Sun (2004)
When you're in love, chances are that you want to spend all of your time with your partner. But what if she can only go out in the nighttime? Song to the Sun is a heartwarming love story about a surfer, Koji, and a singer Kaoru with a rare skin condition where she's extremely sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet light. The rom com takes viewers along their night adventures as Kaori tries to keep her sickness a secret. Not to mention, Bustle notes that this rom com spawned a TV series, a manga (a Japanese comic), and an American remake.