Direction: Yôji Yamada

The best movies, series, and documentaries directed by Yôji Yamada. Explore exceptional titles that showcase a unique filmmaking vision.


The Twilight Samurai

2002 · Movie · 129 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Hiroyuki Sanada · Rie Miyazawa · Nenji Kobayashi · Min Tanaka

Synopsis The Twilight Samurai (2002) is set in the tumultuous 19th century Japan, where Seibei, a recently widowed samurai, grapples with the challenges of raising his elderly, senile mother and two young daughters. His financial struggles and self-consciousness about his impoverished...

7.6

5K votes

7.6

5K votes

Love and Honor

2006 · Movie · 122 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Takuya Kimura · Rei Dan · Takashi Sasano · Nenji Kobayashi

Synopsis Love and Honor (2006) follows Shinnojo, a humble samurai, and his devoted wife Kayo, who face a sudden turn of events when Shinnojo falls ill after tasting contaminated sashimi. The illness leaves him blind, and his family questions Kayo about...

7.3

1K votes

7.3

1K votes

The Hidden Blade

2004 · Movie · 132 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Masatoshi Nagase · Takako Matsu · Hidetaka Yoshioka · Yukiyoshi Ozawa

Synopsis The Hidden Blade (2004) follows the journey of a samurai, portrayed by Nagase Masatoshi, whose unwavering commitment to his moral code is put to the test by the changing world around him. Set in mid-nineteenth century Japan, the film delves...

7.3

2K votes

7.3

2K votes

Kabei: Our Mother

2008 · Movie · 133 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Sayuri Yoshinaga · Tadanobu Asano · Mitsugorô Bandô · Rei Dan

Synopsis Kabei: Our Mother (2008) is a poignant drama that delves into the life of Teruyo Nogami, focusing on her formative years. The film is set during World War II and explores the resilience and strength of a family torn apart...

7.1

557 votes

7.1

557 votes

Tokyo Family

2013 · Movie · 146 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Isao Hashizume · Kazuko Yoshiyuki · Tomoko Nakajima · Yû Aoi

Synopsis Tokyo Family (2013) follows the journey of an elderly couple, Shukichi and Tomiko Hirayama, who reside on a tranquil island in the Inland Sea. They embark on a trip to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo to visit their three grown...

7.0

3K votes

7.0

3K votes

Home from the Sea

1972 · Movie · 101 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Hisashi Igawa · Chieko Baisho · Chishu Ryu · Gin Maeda

Synopsis Home from the Sea (1972) is set on a picturesque island in the Seto Inner Sea, where Seichi and Minko earn a living by ferrying rocks to construction sites via boat. They hold a profound love for their homeland and...

7.0

36 votes

7.0

36 votes

Gakko

1993 · Movie · 128 min. · Japan

7.0

26 votes

7.0

26 votes

About Her Brother

2010 · Movie · 116 min. · Japan

6.6

65 votes

6.6

65 votes

The Yellow Handkerchief

1977 · Movie · 103 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Ken Takakura · Chieko Baisho · Tetsuya Takeda · Kaori Momoi

Synopsis The Yellow Handkerchief (1977) follows the journey of a recently freed convict grappling with the prospect of resuming his old life. After serving time for a past murder, he contemplates reconnecting with his estranged wife. A yellow handkerchief displayed on...

6.6

207 votes

6.6

207 votes

The Little House

2014 · Movie · 136 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Takako Matsu · Haru Kuroki · Hidetaka Yoshioka · Satoshi Tsumabuki

Synopsis The Little House (2014) follows Takeshi as he uncovers a series of notebooks belonging to his late aunt, Taki Nunomiya, who remained unmarried throughout her life. Through these journals, Takeshi gains insight into his aunt's past. Set before World War...

6.6

713 votes

6.6

713 votes

Mom, Is That You?!

2023 · Movie · 110 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Yo Oizumi · Sayuri Yoshinaga · Mei Nagano · Rosa Kato

Synopsis Mom, Is That You?! (2023) follows Akio Kizaki (I Oizumi), a dedicated head of the Human Resources Department at a prominent corporation. Akio's life is filled with anxiety as he grapples with his wife's impending divorce and the evolving relationship...

6.3

325 votes

6.3

325 votes

Nagasaki: Memories of My Son

2015 · Movie · 130 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Sayuri Yoshinaga · Kazunari Ninomiya · Haru Kuroki · Tadanobu Asano

Synopsis Nagasaki: Memories of My Son (2015) unfolds in the aftermath of World War II in Japan, where a dedicated midwife named Nobuko finds herself at a crossroads. Standing at the gravesite of her son Koji, who perished along with countless...

6.1

358 votes

6.1

358 votes

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Kiyoshi Atsumi · Chieko Baisho · Sachiko Mitsumoto · Chishu Ryu

Synopsis Tora-san 1: It's Tough Being a Man (1969) is a 1969 Japanese comedy film helmed by Yoji Yamada and featuring Kiyoshi Atsumi. This movie marks the inaugural installment of the beloved and enduring Otoko wa Tsurai yo series. The story...

5.8

33 votes

5.8

33 votes

What a Wonderful Family! II

2017 · Movie · 113 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Satoshi Tsumabuki · Yû Aoi · Kazuko Yoshiyuki · Yui Natsukawa

Synopsis What a Wonderful Family! II (2017) follows the continuing adventures of a family whose dynamics have evolved over the years. Set a couple of years after the original film, the story revolves around the family patriarch who has recently taken...

5.5

315 votes

5.5

315 votes

What a Wonderful Family

2016 · Movie · 108 min. · Japan

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Satoshi Tsumabuki · Yû Aoi · Yui Natsukawa · Kazuko Yoshiyuki

Synopsis What a Wonderful Family (2016) follows the lives of a couple nearing their golden wedding anniversary, whose three adult children are taken aback when their mother unexpectedly requests a divorce. This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for a...

5.5

979 votes

5.5

979 votes

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Kiyoshi Atsumi · Chieko Baisho · Chocho Miyako · Orie Satoh

Synopsis Tora-san 2: Tora-san's Cherished Mother (1969) follows the heartwarming journey of Tora-san as he learns about his mother's survival and embarks on a quest to find her in Tokyo. His investigation reveals that she is a geisha who had a...

Not rated

Not rated

Where Spring Comes Late

1970 · Movie · 106 min. · Japan

Not rated

Not rated

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Kiyoshi Atsumi · Toshirô Mifune · Keiko Awaji · Keiko Takeshita

Synopsis Tora-san 38: Tora-san Goes North (1987) follows the wandering protagonist, Tora-san, as his journey leads him to the picturesque and remote landscapes of rural Hokkaido. There, he crosses paths with a gruff and stubborn old veterinarian who is grappling with...

Not rated

Not rated

Direction Yôji Yamada

Cast Kiyoshi Atsumi · Chieko Baisho · Keiko Kishi · Takehiko Maeda

Synopsis Tora-san 12: Tora-san Loves an Artist (1973) follows the story of Tora-san, who is entrusted with managing the family store while his relatives embark on a trip to Kyushu. During this time, an acquaintance of Tora-san introduces him to his...

Not rated

Not rated