If you’re a hopeless romantic and love to binge watch love stories on your TV screen, then it’s a must to add a few Japanese dramas to your list.
J-drama romances are known to be absolute tearjerkers, from slow-burning stories to complicated relationships. The best Japanese romance dramas are there to showcase the realities of love, grief, and human connection.
Without further ado, here are the best Japanese romance dramas that you need to watch immediately!
Our Top Recommendations for the Best Japanese Romance Dramas
Horimiya (2021)
Content Rating: 14+
Themes: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Oji Suzuka, Sayu Kubota, Jin Suzuki
With the anime series being a top hit, it’s no doubt that the live-action Japanese drama series of Horimiya would be just as good! Horimiya tells the story of an unlikely bond between two high school students, Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura.
What makes their relationship intriguing is how they initially appear to be complete opposites. Hori is a popular girl with a seemingly perfect life, while Miyamura is a quiet boy who prefers to be alone.
However, despite being total opposites, each of them shares one thing in common: a secret.
Behind the scenes, Hori is a down-to-earth homebody with family responsibilities, and Miyamura is a gentle soul with tattoos and piercings.
When their private lives collide, they discover each other’s secrets and form a unique connection that blossoms into friendship and eventually love.
The Japanese drama beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the complexities of teenage relationships, all with a mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of drama.
Available for streaming on Bilibili
First Love (2022)
Content Rating: 16+
Themes: Drama, Romance
Starring: Hikari Mitsushima, Takeru Satoh
If you’re a fan of Hikaru Utada, one of the best-selling music artists in Japan, then you must watch First Love. This Japanese drama series is inspired by two of her hit songs, “First Love” and “Hatsukoi.”
The song First Love is a heartfelt song that explores the themes of longing, nostalgia, and the sentimental impact of a past love.
Hatsukoi, on the other hand, expresses the intense emotions you feel towards your first love. Now, imagine what the premise of First Love could be based on these songs.
First Love is a nostalgic and deeply emotional romance drama that follows the intertwined fates of Yae Noguchi and Harumichi Namiki over two decades.
Their love story started in the 1990s, falling in love with each other at a young age as high school buddies.
They shared dreams of a bright future together, but life took them in unexpected directions. Their love life, then, led to separation and unfulfilled promises.
Yae Noguchi wanted to be a flight attendant but suffered an accident, while Harumichi served as a pilot in the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) but decided to pursue a different career path as a young man later on.
However, their story doesn’t end there. 15 years later, as adults, they find themselves again and try to rekindle their love through their past together.
Now, their love story is a bit different shaped by their past experiences, current struggles, and future goals.
Showcasing the impact of time and memory, First Love is a beautifully crafted story about young love, second chances, and the enduring power of true love.
Available on Netflix
Rich Man, Poor Woman (2012)
Content Rating: 13+
Themes: Comedy, Romance
Starring: Shun Oguri, Satomi Ishihara
As the title suggests, Rich Man, Poor Woman revolves around the love story between Hyuga Toru, a wealthy man who is a CEO of an IT firm, and Sawaki Chihiro, a hardworking college student at Tokyo University.
Toru may be young, brilliant, and rich – but he has a hard time trusting others and remembering people’s faces, making it difficult for him to connect with others and create personal relations.
Eventually, Toru meets Chihiro at a job interview for his company, who at the beginning, does not leave a good first impression on him. Nonetheless, she becomes a temporary employee under Toru after he finds out that she excellent memory.
Although the two repeatedly conflict each other, Chihiro still grows fond of Toru, drawing her closer to him. Her sincerity to become friends with him gradually makes him fall for her.
Little by the little, they start to learn more about each other as they work together.
As they navigate the challenges of the workforce and their growing attraction, they discover how love and ambition can change their lives in unexpected ways. It doesn’t help that they come from completely different financial backgrounds either.
Will the two be able to compromise their values and lifestyles to become a happy couple?
Rich Man, Poor Woman is one of those Japanese romance dramas that not only explore love between two opposites, but also the realities of different social classes in Japan. This is a must-watch for those who can’t resist a modern tale of Cinderella!
Available on Bilibili
Good Morning Call (2016)
Content Rating: 13+
Themes: Comedy, High School, Romance,
Starring: Haruka, Fukuhara, Shun’ya Shiraishi, Moe Arai
Good Morning Call is a live-action adaptation from the manga series of the same name released in 1997. The story revolves around Nao Yoshikawa, a high school student who finally gets her own new apartment after her parents leave the city.
The catch is – she has the share it with the most popular guy in high school, Hisashi Uehara.
Realizing that they were both scammed into sharing the same lease together, they reluctantly agree to live together in secret to save money pay off the rental dues. Will they manage to keep their secret hidden forever?
Throughout the series, Nao and Uehara navigate their unexpected living situation together while keeping it a secret from their classmates.
Eventually, their initial awkwardness and fights gradually turn them into friends, leading Nao to developing romantic feelings for Uehara.
As Nao falls for Uehara, they experience the ups and downs of life as students, friendship, and first love, all while keeping their living situation hidden from classmates.
Good Morning Call is a sweet and comedic Japanese romance drama about unexpected love, high school adventures, and learning how to adjust to new challenges and situations as students.
Available on Netflix
Marriage is Difficult for a Ninja (2023)
Content Rating: 16+
Themes: Action, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Nanao, Suzuki Nobuyuki, Maika Yamamoto
With a title like Marriage is Difficult for a Ninja, you could imagine what kind of plot this Japanese romance drama would have.
In the setting of this drama, there are two ninja clans that remain present in modern day Japan, Koga and Iga. The two clans are said to have always been opposing of each other.
Despite this conflict, the descendants of each clan must continue to carry out special missions in their daily lives.
Hotaru Kusakari your average Japanese woman; she works a pharmacist and is happily married to her husband Goro Kusakari.
But, she holds a secret – she is a descendant of the Koka Clan. Goro holds a secret as well – he is also a descendant of a ninja clan; except it’s the Iga Clan he’s a part of.
Not knowing about each other’s secret identities, the couple married because of pure love.
As they navigate married life, their bond is tested when Hotaru’s duties as a ninja begin to interfere with their daily routine.
To make things even more complicated, Hotaru and Goro each receive a special mission from their respective clans, leading them to suspect each other’s true identity after almost failing their missions.
Will Hotaru and Goro choose their marriage or their duties as ninjas? Will they continue to stick to the traditions of their clan or learn to prioritise each other?
Marriage is Difficult for a Ninja is an exciting Japanese drama that delightfully blends romance, comedy, and action together.
As it offers a fresh take on marriage and personal secrets, this drama gives viewers a glimpse of what it means to balance the many parts of your life.
Available on Apple TV
Sumika Sumire (2016)
Content Rating: 13+
Themes: Supernatural Fantasy, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Mirei Kiritani, Keiko Matsuzaka, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, Keita Machida
Sumika Sumire is one of those Japanese romance dramas that play with the themes of fantasy, as this drama highlights the story of Sumi Kisaragi, a 65-year-old woman who miraculously transforms back into her 20-year-old self.
Sumi has spent her entire life dedicated to her parents’ business, working at their flower farm for years. Before, Sumi dreamed of attending university but could not because of family obligations.
Although she was more than willing to help out her family, she is left with regrets about never having lived for herself after her parents died.
One day, through a mysterious encounter with a supernatural cat spirit, Sumi is granted a miraculous second chance – she is transformed back into her 20-year-old self, now going by the name Sumire.
With her newfound youth, she enrolls in university, determined to finally experience love and the joys of being a young girl.
However, she relives the thrilling yet challenging adventures of being a young adult, experiencing the notions of romance, friendships, and modern living while hiding her true identity.
Sumika Sumire is a heartwarming Japanese romance drama with a magical twist. It’s recommended for those looking for a series that talks about second chances, self-discovery, and the realities of age.
Available on Viki
Last Cinderella (2013)
Content Rating: 16+
Themes: Comedy, Romance
Starring: Ryoko Shinohara, Haruma Miura, Naohito Fujiki
Last Cinderella talks about the story of Sakura Toyama, a 39-year-old independent woman who has dedicated her life as a manager of a beauty salon, often neglecting her own personal happiness.
One day, she discovers hair growing on her chin which shocks her, wondering if she’s becoming more masculine because she hasn’t had a boyfriend in so long.
With love seemingly passing her by, she starts to believe that romance is no longer in the cards for her.
However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Hiroto Saeki, a showy boy who happens to be a BMX rider younger than her.
The two hit it off very well – until Sakura’s boss, Tachibana Rintaro, falls for Sakura as well.
Furthermore, one of Sakura’s clients at the salon, Chiyoko, falls for Rintaro. The story also involves Sakura’s best friend Miki, who suffers from a loveless message. There’s Shima too, her other best friend who is addicted to casual affairs.
As time passes, each character confronts their personal struggles. Throughout the series, Sakura navigates the complexities of love and must decide what truly makes her happy.
Last Cinderella is a must-watch lighthearted Japanese romance drama that explores the themes of complicated relationships, self-acceptance, and the importance of strong friendships.
Available on Viki
An Incurable Case of Love (2020)
Content Rating: 13+
Themes: Comedy, Medical, Romance
Starring: Mone Kamishiraishi, Takeru Satoh, Katsuya Maiguma
One of the best Japanese movie drama romance tropes is when it’s set in a hospital or medical setting. A lot of viewers love to watch medical shows, so why not watch An Incurable Case of Love?
In this drama, Nanase Sakura is a 23-year-old rookie nurse who is described as a determined and idealistic girl. She pursued this medical profession after falling in love at first sight with Dr. Kairi Tendo, whom she met five years ago.
After finally landing a new job at his hospital, Nanase discovers that the man she is in love with is nothing like she imagined.
In reality, Dr. Tendo is sharp-tongued, cold, and dismissive.
Despite his cold demeanor, Nanase remains dedicated in her profession, earning the nickname “Heroine in Pink” as she often wears pink medical scrubs.
As for her relationship with Dr. Tendo, she is not afraid to say what she needs to say to him.
Eventually, her honesty and unwavering dedication to her craft catches the attention of Dr. Tendo. As she slowly breaks through his icy exterior, an unexpected romance begins to blossom.
An Incurable Case of Love is a charming medical Japanese romance drama that follows Nanase’s journey of love, growth, and resilience in both her professional and personal life.
Available on Netflix
Boys Over Flowers (2005)
Content Rating: 12+
Themes: Teen Comedy, Teen Drama, Teen Romance, High School Students
Starring: Mao Inoue, Jun Matsumoto, Shun Oguri
When people think of Japanese dramas, Boys Over Flowers is guaranteed to be one of the first titles that pop into their heads. It’s part of the list of classic Japanese romance dramas for a reason!
Boys Over Flowers revolves around a series of students, mainly Tsukushi Makino who is a tough, hard-working, lower-middle class girl studying at the prestigious school called Eitoku Gakuen, where money is the only thing that matters.
Makino’s life in Eitoku is anything but easy. She has a hard time making friends as majority of her classmates look down on her because of her social status.
Worse yet, she quickly clashes with the infamous F4, a group of four handsome yet powerful boys who bully other students in their school out of boredom or spite.
F4, short for Flower Four, comprises of Soujiri Nishikado, Akira Mimasaka, Hanazawa Rui, and Domyouji Tsukasa – each boy with their own unique yet intimidating personalities. They are the sons of Japan’s wealthiest and most powerful tycoons, and they so happen to choose Makino as their target to bully.
Despite relentless bullying, Makino refuses to back down, earning Tsukasa’s respect. Eventually, he falls for her.
However, Makino finds herself drawn to Rui, who happens to be in love with his childhood friend Shizuka.
Makino ends up in a complicated love triangle, and everyone else is there to watch it unfold. As she deals with unrequited love, class differences, and jealous classmates – Makino is forced to deal with the never-ending challenges of high school.
As romance, social class struggles, and personal growth intertwine, Tsukushi must navigate the challenges of love and staying true to herself.
Boys Over Flowers is a Japanese drama that showcases Japanese romance in a cheesy yet charming way. Watch how love blossoms in one of the most iconic Japanese romance dramas!
Available on Viki
Cursed In Love (2020)
Content Rating: 13+
Themes: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Starring: Minami Hamabe, Ryusei Yokohama, Nobuyuki Suzuki
A young girl whose father was framed for murder gets close to the man who framed him. But not only does she discover a deep mystery over the event, but she starts to fall in love with him.
For a different kind of Japanese drama, Cursed In Love has elements of thriller and mystery, telling the story of Nao Hanaoka, a woman with a tragic past. As a child, she witnessed her mother being falsely accused of murder.
Not only was her mother framed, but died later on as well, as tragedy strikes. This left Nao to fend for herself with lingering trauma from the series of events.
Years later, Nao crosses paths with Tsubaki Takatsuki, the heir to Kogetsuan and the boy who once testified against her mother.
Without revealing her true identity, she enters the world of Kogetsuan to uncover the truth behind the past tragedy.
However, as Nao and Tsubaki grow closer, feelings of love and revenge become dangerously intertwined.
Cursed in Love is a gripping Japanese drama filled with mystery, betrayal, and passion, as two fated lovers struggle against their pasts to find the truth—and each other.
Available on Bilibili
Finding Love, Lessons, and Inspiration in Romantic Japanese Dramas
Japanese dramas have a way of capturing love in all its beauty, heartbreak, and hope through emotional storytelling, plot twists, and complex characters. Through these dramas, you get to see a glimpse of how Japan perceives love and its realities.
So, sit back, relax, and watch love prevail! Which one will you watch first?
Join Our Newsletter
Sign up for the latest news & offers
