Looking for the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime? Check out this list of great Japanese drama recommendations that will keep you hooked throughout your watch.
With covid making us spend a lot of time at home, people have turned to various television series and films to spend their free time.
One of the most common channels through which people consume such content is online streaming services.
Which are the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime?
- A Girl and Three Sweethearts
- Tokyo Girl
- Happy Marriage!?
- Fukuyadou Honpo- Kyoto Love Story
- Tokyo Alice
- Tokyo Vampire Hotel
- MAGI Tensho Keno Shonen Shisetsu
- Lady Girls
- ID: Invaded
There are so many different contents available on online streaming services like Netflix and Amazon prime that are highly engaging and entertaining.
If you don’t want to commit much of your time towards finishing these shows, Japan dramas on TV are a great option since they are short. Most of them are usually less than fifteen episodes and mostly run for a single season.
Viewers can select from a variety of genres and they give you a peek into the life and culture in Japan. Let us take a look at some of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime to keep yourself busy during your days at home.
Best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime: Summary
| Best Japanese Dramas on Amazon Prime | Starring | Editor’s Rating |
| A girl and three Sweethearts | Mirei Kiritani, Sohei Miyura, Kento Yamazaki | 7/10 |
| Tokyo Girl | Azami Mizukawa, Tsuyoshi Abe, Masako Chiba | 8/10 |
| Happy Marriage!? | Seino Nana, Dean Fujioka | 6.5/10 |
| Fukuyadou Honpo: Kyoto Love story | Akari Hayami, Hayato Ichihara, Fujiko Kojima, Oshiro Maeda | 7/10 |
| Tokyo Alice | Mizuki Yamamoto, Reina Triendl, Aya Asahina, Takahashi Maryjun | 7/10 |
| Tokyo Vampire Hotel | Ami Tomite, Shinnosuke Mitsushima and Megumi Kagurazaka | 6.5/10 |
| MAGI Tensho Keno Shonen Shisetu | Shuhei Nomura, Yuki Morinaga, Kai Inowaki, Ogata Naoto. | 6.5 |
| Lady Girls | Ryoka Shinohara, Michko Kichise, Sawa Suzuki. | 9/10 |
| ID: Invaded Instead | Kenjirou Tsuda, Sarah Emi Bridcutt, Mao Ichimichi. | 8/10 |
Page Contents
Top Japanese Dramas on Amazon Prime
A Girl and Three Sweethearts
Starring: Mirei Kiritani, Sohei Miyura, Kento Yamazaki | Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance | No. of Seasons: 1
The amazon japanese series revolves around Sakura Masai who is a young and hardworking patisserie.
She suddenly loses her job and her life gets turned upside down since she finds it difficult to get a new job. She then meets her high school love Chiaki, who offers her a part-time job at his restaurant.
It’s very engaging and one of the best japanese dramas on Amazon Prime. This is all about romance and drama. You can also have some laughs here and there.
The show is only one season long and consists of sixteen episodes so it is suitable for a short binge. This is a Japanese drama for beginners.
It features actors like Mirei Kiritani who plays the female lead Sakura Masai, Sohei Miyura as Chiaki, Kento Yamazaki and Suhei Nomura as the brothers, Kenta Hamano and Sakurako Oharo among other actors.
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Tokyo Girl
Starring: Azami Mizukawa, Tsuyoshi Abe, Masako Chiba | Genre: Romance, Life, Drama | No. of Seasons: 1
Aya is a 23-year-old small-town girl who moves to Tokyo in hopes of leading a better life. This is an inspiring show and it takes us through the life of Aya and the highs and lows she experienced while living in the city.
This show becomes relatable to the viewers to some extent. This best japanese series on amazon prime will become your favourite for sure if you’re growing up because you’d be able to relate to Aya.
It focuses on her career, her love life and her aspirations to climb up the social ladder and be an object of envy for other women.
The is one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime that’s only a single season long and has sixteen episodes. It’s a crowd favourite and undoubtedly my favourite too.
The main character Aya is played by Azami Mizukawa. The other leading actors are Tsuyoshi Abe, Masako Chiba and Shiina Hanasaka.
Happy Marriage !?
Starring: Seino Nana, Dean Fujioka | Genre: Romance | No. of Seasons: 1
Happy marriage was originally created as a Japanese manga series by Maki Enjoji.
In this Japan drama, Chiwa is a young woman who works at a hostess bar to pay off her parents’ debt. She meets the young and successful businessman Hokuto.
The first time they meet each other, she gets fired from the bar. It’s definitely one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime if you’re into romantic movies and series. I’d recommend this for a date night
The next day, she gets a call from Hokuto and he proposes to her. He doesn’t tell her the reason why he wants to marry her but the story takes us through how the arrangement unfolds and the reason why he married her.
The show stars Seino Nana and Dean Fujioka in leading roles. Like most Japanese dramas, it is a single season-long show and has twelve episodes.
Fukuyado Honpo – Kyoto love story
Starring: Akari Hayami, Hayato Ichihara, Fujiko Kojima, Oshiro Maeda | Genre: Food, Comedy, Life | No. of Seasons: 1
This drama is the adaptation of the manga Fukuyadou Honpo created by Yuchi Yayomi and is one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime if you’re looking for something light and comic.
The story takes us through the life of three sisters, Hina, Arare and Hara who work in a 450 years old Japanese confectionery shop in Kyoto.
The viewers get glimpses into each of their love lives, family and the sacrifices they make in the name of tradition. The show is one season long and has twelve episodes.
Fukuyado Honpo will teach you a lot about family and life which is why it’s one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Japan.
The main characters are portrayed by actors like Akari Hayami, Hayato Ichihara, Fujiko Kojima, Oshiro Maeda and Hina Miyano among other talented actors.
Tokyo Alice
Starring: Mizuki Yamamoto, Reina Triendl, Aya Asahina, Takahashi Maryjun | Genre: Romance, Life, Drama | No. of Seasons: 1
Tokyo Alice is about the life of four girls who are flatmates. They are the fashion-savvy Fuu, manga artist Mizuho, Gallery assistant Rio and the doctor Sayuri.
This female-centered show takes us through the love life and the career ups and downs of these girls.
Tokyo Alice is one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime that I’ve watched recently. I’d recommend this series to all the teens or young adults to watch this as you’d definitely find it relatable and fun.
The show first aired on 25 August 2017 and is 12 episodes long. Since the show is only for one season and the episodes are around half an hour-long, this is a good choice for a light binge.
The main characters are played by Mizuki Yamamoto, Reina Triendl, Aya Asahina and Takahashi Maryjun.
Tokyo Vampire Hotel
Starring: Ami Tomite, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, and Megumi Kagurazaka | Genre: Horror, Drama | No. of Seasons: 1
If you are in the mood to watch soothing horror, Tokyo Vampire Hotel is a great choice. This thriller can keep you hooked on to it till the end.
The story begins with Manami getting targeted by vampires on her 22nd birthday.
Tokyo Vampire Hotel will give you the old Japanese drama vibes. It’s one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime if you wanna watch something horror.
K uses his powers and ability to save manami from the vampires. At the same time, the mysterious Yamada conducts a huge matchmaking convention at the Hotel Requiem where a lot of young men and women are invited.
He then announces that the apocalypse will happen tomorrow but those in the hotel would be saved. The show has only one season and is ten episodes long.
It’s counted among the best shows on Amazon Prime Japan in horror and drama genre.
The lead actors are Ami Tomite, Shinnosuke Mitsushima and Megumi Kagurazaka which definitely makes it one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime.
MAGI Tensho Keno Shonen Shisetsu
Starring: Shuhei Nomura, Yuki Morinaga, Kai Inowaki, Ogata Naoto | Genre: Historical| No. of Seasons: 1
This is a historical drama set in the 1500s. The story is about an embassy called The Tensho Boys’ embassy which consisted of four boys. They were the first to cross the Japanese borders to go to Europe and meet the pope.
This Jdrama has historical significance and is a must watch for history buffs. I’m sure you’ll find this as one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime if you’re into history.
During the middle ages, an Italian missionary Alessandro Valignano arrived in Japan. He aimed to proselytize, evangelize and recruit people to Christianity so he set up a number of seminaries across the country and picked up the people in the Tensho Boy’s embassy to travel to the Vatican.
The show takes you through the trials and tribulations they face along the way. It only has a single season and it consists of nineteen episodes. It stars actors like Shuhei Nomura, Yuki Morinaga, Kai Inowaki and Ogata Naoto.
Related: Check out best romance anime movies for a date night!
Lady Girls
Starring: Ryoka Shinohara, Michko Kichise, Sawa Suzuki | Genre: Romance, Comedy | No. of Seasons: 1
This new Jdrama takes us through the lives of three single women and the challenges they face in the search for love and happiness. 40-year-old Aki Nakahana is successful in her career but she finds a hard time looking for love.
Although she is an attractive and independent woman, she always tries too hard and ends up being miserable whenever she meets a guy. She becomes scared of falling in love after a series of uneventful relationships.
Lady Girls is one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime if you want something light-heart rom-com to watch. It’s more than a one time watch for sure!
The other characters are her two best friends Moeko Oosaki who owns a flower shop and Midori Sakawata who is a divorced working mother with three sons.
Aki is developing a role-playing romance game app where all her colleagues are younger than her. The lead characters are played by Ryoka Shinohara, Michko Kichise and Sawa Suzuki.
Related: Best Japanese anime on Netflix if you’re looking for anime recommendations!
ID: Invaded Instead
Starring: Kenjirou Tsuda, Sarah Emi Bridcutt, Mao Ichimichi | Genre: Science Fiction, Psychological | No. of Seasons: 1
This is the only Japanese anime television series on our list. If you are an anime lover, you will definitely love this Psychological science fiction series. The story unfolds inside a human mind!
Yes, you heard it right! Sakaido is a brilliant detective who tries to solve a crime by entering the criminal’s mind. This is done with the help of “cognition particles” that are collected from the crime site.
This action Jdrama is one of the best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime that I’ve watched in the sci-fi genre. Don’t think twice if you love psychological thrillers, just go for it.
However it is not easy to do so, you should have killed someone to be able to access someone’s mind. After successfully solving these investigations, Sakaido realises that there is something bigger behind the murders.
This television series has 13 episodes. The show features popular actors like Kenjirou Tsuda, Sarah Emi Bridcutt and Mao Ichimichi.
Lady Girls
I enjoyed watching Lady Girls cause it’s the type of cheesy storyline I adore! Though, I must say the story arc is pretty weak but the drama features a really cute cat so I can’t complain!
The drama is about three girls and their relationship / friendship and it’s all very cute, honestly. It’s almost like a romantic comedy with three girls and their lovers.
Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo
This is a romantic and drama filled Japanese television series that has captured the hearts of many youngsters. This drama is based on a manga called Itazura na Kiss which was written by Tada Kaoru.
The drama series introduces the female lead called Kotoko Aihara who studies in high school. She is quite naive and lacks the ability to perform good grades in her exams. Going through a rough time with her academic life she finds pleasure in checking out the most handsome and intelligent guy in the school who’s called Naoki Irie.
Kotoko has been in love with Naoki for almost 2 years since the day Naoki gave a speech during the high school entrance ceremony. When Kotoko decides to confess her love for Naoki she writes him a love letter which he rejects instantly.
Disappointed and furious at Naoki’s behavior, Kotoko goes home sadly. However, on the very same day, Kotoko’s home is hit with a meteorite.
With nowhere to go, Kotoko’s father receives a call from his friend who invites them to stay at his home. As Kotoko goes to his home she’s shocked to find out that the home is no other than Naoki’s.
As she stays at his place her feelings grow more although he shows disinterest towards her. Will Naoki feel the same towards Kotoko and accept her? To find out watch Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo.
This drama has only 1 season with 16 episodes that are binge watch worthy. It’s filled with comedy, romance, and drama that’ll keep you hooked towards the end.
The lead roles are played by Yuki Furukawa, Honoka Yahagi, Tomomi Nishimura, and Yoji Tanaka.
99 Days With The Superstar
This is the ideal Japanese drama for rom-com fans. The drama starts off with the introduction of Namiki Kohei who’s a Japanese security guard. He’s from a middle class family who’s obsessed with astronomy.
He’s in his mid-40s and a single man who works as a part time security officer. Namiki is handsome and has the sweetest personality which most people take advantage of. His daily routine is to work and take care of his sister’s kids.
Namiki’s life changes when he’s assigned as security for a period of 99 days for a Korean actress called Han Yoo Na when she visits Japan to act in a movie. Despite Han Yoo being an actress, she leads a very simple and lonely life. She loves to visit local restaurants and help people when they’re in need.
Han Yoo has a very tragic secret and she often sneaks out of her hotel to try the Japanese food. However, this would result in a problem for Namiki as he has to find her and ensure her safety. Namiki and Han Yoo don’t get along together as they both have clashing ideas.
However, their relationship changes when the 99 days contract with Namiki is going to end. Will they understand each other’s feelings and improve their relationship?
Watch 99 Days With The Superstar to find out what happened next. It has 1 season with 10 episodes that you’ll binge watch in no time. The actors who played the lead roles are Kim Tae-hee and Hidetoshi Nishijima.
Last Cinderella
This Japanese drama focuses on the life of Sakura who’s a 39-year-old woman who runs a beauty salon. Sakura has been single for most of her life and she notices a weird change in her body where she grows hair on her chin.
When she’s worried about her status in life a new manager has been appointed in the salon named Rintaro.
One of Sakura’s clients, Chiyoko, admires Rintaro but she’s afraid that Rintaro might like Sakura. Hence, Chiyoko invites Sakura to a dating party where she asks a young man named Hiroto to entice Sakura.
The next thing Sakura notices is that she woke up in a bed with Hiroto and he asks her to date him. Hiroto only wants to date Sakura because Chiyoko is his friend and she’s in love with Rintaro who has feelings for Sakura.
However, as Hiroto and Sakura date he begins to develop genuine feelings for her and wants to maintain a strong relationship.
Last Cinderella is filled with romance, drama, and several plot twists that enthralled me and would definitely enthrall you as well. Stay in for the giggles and hilarious moments in the show for pure entertainment.
The main stars in the show are Ryoko Shinohara, Haruma Miura, and Naohito Fujiki.
Junichi
Junichi is a 2019 Japanese mini-series that follows the story of a young man named Junichi who has a strange power to attract women.
He drifts through life, never staying in one place for too long, and he always seems to find himself in the company of beautiful women.
The series is a slow-burning character study that explores Junichi’s relationships with the women in his life. It is not a traditional romance, and there is no clear arc to the story. Instead, the series is more interested in exploring the dynamics of attraction and intimacy.
The acting in Junichi is superb. Shison Jun gives a mesmerizing performance as Junichi, and the supporting cast is also excellent. The series is beautifully shot, with a dreamy, atmospheric quality.
Junichi is not a show for everyone. It is slow-paced and meditative, and it does not offer any easy answers. However, if you are looking for a thought-provoking and challenging exploration of love and relationships, then Junichi is definitely worth a watch.
My Love From The Stars
My Love from the Stars (Koi wa Sekai Seifuku no Ato de) is a 2022 Japanese drama that follows the story of Mitsuru Toyama, an alien who has been living on Earth for 400 years.
He is about to return to his home planet when he meets Tsubaki Sasahara, a famous actress who is struggling with her career.
Mitsuru and Tsubaki are immediately drawn to each other, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that Mitsuru is an alien. He has superhuman abilities, and he doesn’t always understand human emotions.
Tsubaki, on the other hand, is a very human woman, and she is often frustrated by Mitsuru’s alien ways.
Despite their differences, Mitsuru and Tsubaki fall in love. They must overcome many challenges, including the disapproval of Tsubaki’s family and friends, as well as Mitsuru’s own doubts about whether he can truly belong on Earth.
My Love from the Stars is a charming and heartwarming romance. It is a story about love, acceptance, and finding your place in the world.
The acting is superb, and the chemistry between the two leads is undeniable. The series is also visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography and set design.
If you are looking for a sweet and funny romance with a touch of sci-fi, then I highly recommend My Love from the Stars.
Scum’s Wish
Scum’s Wish (Kuzu no Honkai) is a 2017 Japanese drama that follows the story of two high school students, Mugi Awaya and Hanabi Yasuraoka, who are both in love with other people.
They start a fake relationship with each other to cope with their unrequited love, but their relationship quickly becomes more complicated and toxic.
Scum’s Wish is a brutally honest and unflinching look at love and relationships. It is not a show for the faint of heart, as it deals with themes of manipulation, infidelity, and self-destruction.
However, it is also a very well-made and thought-provoking show that offers a unique perspective on the dark side of love.
The acting in Scum’s Wish is superb. The two leads, Dori Sakurada and Miyu Yoshimoto, give incredibly nuanced performances that capture the complexity of their characters.
The supporting cast is also excellent, and the show does a good job of developing even the minor characters.
The cinematography in Scum’s Wish is beautiful and atmospheric. The show uses a lot of close-ups and slow-motion shots to create a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia. The music is also excellent, and it helps to set the tone of the show.
Scum’s Wish is not a show for everyone. It is a very dark and disturbing show, and it is not afraid to show the ugly side of love. However, it is also a very well-made and thought-provoking show that offers a unique perspective on the nature of love and relationships.
Miss Sherlock
Miss Sherlock is a 2018 Japanese drama that is a modern reimagining of the classic Sherlock Holmes stories.
The series stars Yuko Takeuchi as Sherlock, a brilliant detective who is also socially awkward and has a disregard for authority. She is partnered with Wato Tachibana (Shihori Kanjiya), a young surgeon who is also highly intelligent and skilled in martial arts.
The two women team up to solve a series of gruesome murders that have baffled the police. Along the way, they must deal with their own personal demons and learn to trust each other.
Miss Sherlock is a well-made and entertaining drama that is sure to appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes and crime dramas.
The acting is superb, and the chemistry between the two leads is undeniable. The series is also visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography and set design.
Mothers in Love
Mothers in Love (恋する母たち, Koisuru Hahatachi) is a 2020 Japanese drama that follows the lives of three mothers who are all struggling with their own personal challenges.
An Ishiwatari (Yoshino Kimura) is a single mother who is raising her son alone after her husband went missing. She is struggling to make ends meet and to keep her son’s life on track.
Yuko Hayashi (Yo Yoshida) is a successful career woman who is married to a novelist. However, her husband is having an affair, and she is struggling to cope with the emotional fallout.
Mari Kanbara (Riisa Naka) is a stay-at-home mother who is married to a lawyer. However, her husband is controlling and abusive, and she is struggling to find her own voice.
As the three mothers get to know each other, they form a bond and support each other through their challenges. They also learn to embrace their own strength and to fight for what they want.
Mothers in Love is a well-made and engaging drama that explores the challenges of motherhood in a modern society. The acting is superb, and the characters are complex and relatable.
The series also deals with some difficult topics, such as infidelity, abuse, and poverty, but it does so in a sensitive and nuanced way.
Playful Kiss
Playful Kiss (イタズラなKiss, Itazura na Kiss) is a 2010 Japanese drama that is based on the popular manga series of the same name.
The series follows the story of Kotoko Aihara, a clumsy and ditzy high school girl who falls in love with Naoki Irie, the smartest and most popular boy in school.
Despite their differences, Kotoko and Naoki eventually fall in love. However, their relationship is not without its challenges.
Naoki is often cold and distant, and Kotoko can be too clingy and annoying. However, they eventually learn to overcome their differences and to love each other for who they are.
Playful Kiss is a sweet and heartwarming drama that is sure to appeal to fans of romantic comedies. The acting is superb, and the chemistry between the two leads is undeniable. The series is also visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography and set design.
Which is the best Japanese drama on Amazon Prime?
Tokyo Girl is about a girl named Aya who moved to Tokyo when she was 23. The drama captures her life from 23 till the age of 40 and shows different challenges and struggles she goes through in her career and love life. It’s starring Azami Mizukawa. It’s available to watch on Amazon Prime.
J-Drama Time
J-dramas are one of the best things about Japan. There are so many amazing shows that are not only meant for passing time but also teach life lessons.
Hope this list of best Japanese dramas on Amazon Prime helped you pick the right dramas for you to watch.
Also Read:
Hiya! I’m the main author of Japan Truly. I love everything Japan and love testing out Japanese products, be it skincare and makeup or gadgets! You’ll find reviews of some of the best selling Japanese products (tried and tested) right here!
Tokyo Girl
Director: Yuki Tanada
Date Created: 1970-01-01 00:33
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