Oh! Do you maybe mean 仙人? I was thinking about which word you mean, and then I saw the Spotify OST tracklist, and one song is called 風呂仙人.
3 Likes
Aha! Thank you!
I love an extremely hot bath—like hot enough that as you’re getting into it, you wonder if this is actually safe?? And it makes your toes tingle like there’s electricity running through them, and makes your muscles feel like they’re melting off your bones.
But I’m quite 暑がり so I actually can’t stay in it for more than about 5 minutes 
So a mega hot 露天風呂 is my favorite.
2 Likes
Monthly Check-In - Featured Movie
Hope everyone is enjoying summer! If you’re currently experiencing the heat wave, maybe you’re not thinking of hot baths… but this could also serve like a refreshing distraction!
The poll for the July’s next movie will be put up shortly.
Have you already watched our Featured Movie?
- Finished watching / watched this movie before
- Still planning to watch
- Skipping this time
0
voters
JFF announcement for July streaming titles
2 new movies announced for the new lineup starting from July 2!
The Blue Skies at Your Feet (2022)
The time-traveling love story of two school students shaping the future, where an accident forces them to relive the same day until they take action and seize the moment ― and what has he been hiding all along?
Tora-San, Our Lovable Tramp (1969)
The first in the long-running film series, Tora-san suddenly returns home and find his family, his friends, a side-kick and a love-interest, the Madonna, all waiting for him.
Last Chance to Watch
The following title will no longer be available after 11:00 AM (JST) on July 2.
- TSUKIJI WONDERLAND (2016)
2 Likes
Voting for Featured Movie of the Month - July
Time to vote for our next Featured Movie of the Month! Vote for the title(s) you would be most interested to watch and discuss together.
Voting will remain open until 2026-07-02T02:00:00Z.
Which movie(s) are you interested in watching? (Multiple answers allowed)
0
voters
Movie Descriptions
日日是好日 (Drama, JPN culture)
This movie follows 20-year-old Noriko, whose mother suggests she starts taking tea ceremony lessons with Mrs Takeda known for being an extraordinary teacher. At first, Noriko is confused by the ceremony with its meticulous nature, but later comes to realize it offers a unique way of understanding life and the challenges that lie ahead.
君と100回目の恋 (Romance)
University student Aoi sings in a band she formed with her classmates. It’s July 31st, also her birthday, but a disastrous performance sees her leave in a hurry, only to be fatally struck by a passing car. When she comes to consciousness, it’s the week before and she finds herself back at university. Shaken by the experience, Aoi is comforted by band mate and childhood friend Riku who owns up to turning back time so as to change her fate. But his time-traveling secret comes at a price.
僕だけがいない街 (Drama, Mystery, Romance)
This mystery thriller follows struggling manga author Fujinuma Satoru, who is swept up in a mysterious phenomenon known as “Revival”, which sends him back in time by several minutes before an incident occurs, forcing him to relive the moment until the tragedy can be stopped. However, this time he arrives 18 years in the past, just before a series of abduction and murder cases take place. With his part-time coworker Katagiri Airi by his side, Satoru uncovers what truly happened that long, dark winter…
書道ガールズ!! わたしたちの甲子園 (Drama)
Shikoku Chuo City is known as the “City of Paper” a place where the long recession has worn out its former glory. Ikezawa is a substitute teacher assigned to the Shikoku Chuo High School calligraphy club. Ikezawa and club captain Satoko are like oil and water but when She and the other club members catch sight of him writing on the floor along to music, they all come up with a plan to revitalize their flagging community through calligraphy performances. And then a small miracle occurs.
Bonsai Warrior (Documentary, JPN culture)
Hirao Masashi is the last apprentice of bonsai master Kato Saburo, the first man to introduce the beauty of bonsai to the world. After his master passes away, Hirao , feeling constrained by the conservative culture of the local bonsai business, decides to embark on a journey overseas to showcase his speedy, stylish bonsai performances. BONSAI WARRIOR follows Hirao over four months and across 11 countries, capturing his encounters along the way and the challenges he faces back in Japan.
シコふんじゃった。 (Comedy, JPN culture)
Shuhei is coasting through life. He likes to party more than study and his family connections mean a job at a major company after college is almost guaranteed. His professor, however, has other ideas. Shuhei needs extra credits or he’ll fail to graduate. Reluctantly, he agrees to join the university sumo club. But the club only has one member, the unreliable captain Aoki and it needs to be five to compete. Will he find willing others? The long and hard way to the tournament has started.
サクラダリセット (Fantasy, SF)
The film follows high schoolers in Sakurada, a town where half the population are born with superpowers. Kei can retain memories, and Misora can reset the world with a single word — “Reset”. Together, they attempt to bring back their classmate Sumire, who died two years earlier, setting off a chain of unintended consequences for everyone involved.
君が落とした青空 (Romance, SF, Drama)
The time-traveling love story of two school students shaping the future, where an accident forces them to relive the same day until they take action and seize the moment ― and what has he been hiding all along?
男はつらいよ (Drama, Comedy, Family)
The first in the long-running film series, Tora-san suddenly returns home and find his family, his friends, a side-kick and a love-interest, the Madonna, all waiting for him.
1 Like
Finished 湯道 (spoilers)
I realized in the first ten minutes that I wasn’t going to be able to follow this one without subs. I didn’t need them all the time, but I didn’t go to the bother of turning them off and on depending on the scene. The main issues were the yudou lectures but also some of the older people and particularly all the bath vocabulary.
I really enjoyed the movie! There’s just one thing that bothered me … The only black-Japanese person in the movie was randomly also the only (ensemble character) criminal … This just made me feel sad about the representation in this movie and marred the enjoyment of the movie once I realized it.
Besides that I really loved the movie though. Aside from the heartwarming story, the visual aspects and aesthetics were really great, there were some impressive single-cut scenes, the multiple bathtubs fisticuffs scene was really funny … The whole cast singing “湯 are my sunshine” at the end was adorable.
I deeply appreciated the bath boys’ pilgrimage and experience with drawing water for the bath with the view in the mountains. And then it turning out to be Izumi’s family home aww.
Impressive comprehension @crispetynougat !!
I like a hot bath as well, but I can’t recall specific temperatures very well … I’ve actually been working on my ability to tolerate cold plunges lately, it’s fun! Ooh, maybe I should go to the sauna … It’s so expensive here though 
I’m jealous of countries where sweet bathing facilities are more common and more affordable.
1 Like
spoilers
I agree, that was a bummer. He was such a sweet guy, and they made him very sympathetic, but that didn’t undo the damage. From my American point of view, the Japanese film and TV industry remains way behind the times when it comes to understanding the importance of representation.
Don’t be too impressed–I’m not counting those 湯道 scenes in my comprehension Really fast speech packed with difficult vocabulary…
2 Likes
From the Way of the Bath to the Way of the Brush–the winner movie for July is…
書道ガールズ!! わたしたちの甲子園 (SHODO GIRLS!!)
Watch it on JFF Theater
View Natively page
Description via JFF
臨時顧問として赴任してきた教師と書道部員たち。書道パフォーマンスを通して、町に元気を取り戻そうと立ち上がる。
四国中央市―ここは紙の生産高日本一を誇る、”紙の町”。しかし、折からの不況の影響で町は活気を失っていた。池澤は、四国中央高校書道部に赴任してきた臨時顧問。全く相容れない先生と部員たちだったが、ある日、里子と部員たちは音楽に合わせ書をしたためる池澤の姿を目にする。それをきっかけに、里子たちは書道パフォーマンスを通して、町に元気を取り戻そうと計画を立てる。そして、小さな奇跡が起こる。
A substitute teacher from out of town and a group of school students hope to lift the spirits of their local community, one calligraphy performance at a time.
Shikoku Chuo City is known as the “City of Paper” a place where the long recession has worn out its former glory. Ikezawa is a substitute teacher assigned to the Shikoku Chuo High School calligraphy club. Ikezawa and club captain Satoko are like oil and water but when She and the other club members catch sight of him writing on the floor along to music, they all come up with a plan to revitalize their flagging community through calligraphy performances. And then a small miracle occurs.
The watching period is until 2026-08-04T15:00:00Z. In the last week of July, we will do a brief check-in for any late-comers and catch-uppers.
Watch it anytime until then and share your thoughts; first impressions, favorite moments, language remarks, and whatever else stood out to you.
Also as always, feel free to watch any other movie from the current lineup instead or in addition.
Happy viewing everyone!
3 Likes
I’m late to the discussion, but I watched 湯道 last weekend. It was surprisingly funny and charming!
5 Likes
I finished 書道ガールズ!! わたしたちの甲子園 | L30?? earlier today for the audiothon! No subs, and I actually understood it better than I thought I would, though of course I probably missed lots still. I thought it was a cute movie; the three stooges helping the girls had me laughing a few times, and I liked the different 書道 performances at the end.
3 Likes
I watched about halfway, and so far it was very light-hearted and fun. I watched the other 書道 movie from the JFF lineup too, and this was quite a bit of contrast to this one here!
1 Like
This time we are getting a whopping number of five new movies! 
And it seems we’re also getting a taste of a different genre, with many mystery and even horror movie titles 
The poll for August will open shortly! Stay tuned!
JFF Announcement for August streaming titles
Starting Aug 5, five new films will join our lineup under two new themes: “Japanese Books” and “Japanese Horror.”
Japanese Books―Stories, Writers & Cinema
Midsummer’s Equation (2013) Mystery, Drama
The summer sea, fireworks, a boy … and a mystery that must not be solved. FUKUYAMA Masaharu returns as Yukawa, the brilliant physicist and Detective Galileo.
Suspect X (2008) Mystery, Drama
A body disfigured beyond recognition and a killer out for revenge with detectives hot on the killer’s trail, with a brilliant physicist and the mysterious Suspect X locked in a mesmerising battle of wits.
The Hotel of my Dream (2024) Comedy
The Hill Top Hotel is the destination of all celebrated authors. But the promising Kayoko, who cannot catch a break, knows it takes more than hard work; it also takes cunning to be a great writer.
Japanese Horror―Echoes of Fear
The Complex (2013) Horror, Thriller
Asuka uncovers the truth behind the noise from next door causing her to confront a terrible dark secret of her own.
One Missed Call (2004) Horror, Thriller
A missed call from your own phone carries a premonition — what will happen when the moment arrives in three days’ time?
Last Chance to Watch
The following titles currently streaming will no longer be available after 11:00 AM (JST) on Thursday, Aug 5.
- The 100th Love with You [Natively] [JFF]
- Erased [Natively] [JFF]
- THE MIRACLES OF THE NAMIYA GENERAL STORE [Natively] [JFF]
- SHODO GIRLS!! [Natively] [JFF]
- Every Day a Good Day [Natively] [JFF]
2 Likes
Voting for Featured Movie of the Month - August
Time to vote for our next Featured Movie of the Month! Vote for the title(s) you would be most interested to watch and discuss together.
Voting will remain open until 2026-08-05T02:00:00Z.
Which movie(s) are you interested in watching? (Multiple answers allowed)
0
voters
Movie Descriptions
Bonsai Warrior (Documentary, JPN culture)
Hirao Masashi is the last apprentice of bonsai master Kato Saburo, the first man to introduce the beauty of bonsai to the world. After his master passes away, Hirao , feeling constrained by the conservative culture of the local bonsai business, decides to embark on a journey overseas to showcase his speedy, stylish bonsai performances. BONSAI WARRIOR follows Hirao over four months and across 11 countries, capturing his encounters along the way and the challenges he faces back in Japan.
シコふんじゃった。 (Comedy, JPN culture)
Shuhei is coasting through life. He likes to party more than study and his family connections mean a job at a major company after college is almost guaranteed. His professor, however, has other ideas. Shuhei needs extra credits or he’ll fail to graduate. Reluctantly, he agrees to join the university sumo club. But the club only has one member, the unreliable captain Aoki and it needs to be five to compete. Will he find willing others? The long and hard way to the tournament has started.
サクラダリセット (Fantasy, SF)
The film follows high schoolers in Sakurada, a town where half the population are born with superpowers. Kei can retain memories, and Misora can reset the world with a single word — “Reset”. Together, they attempt to bring back their classmate Sumire, who died two years earlier, setting off a chain of unintended consequences for everyone involved.
君が落とした青空 (Romance, SF, Drama)
The time-traveling love story of two school students shaping the future, where an accident forces them to relive the same day until they take action and seize the moment ― and what has he been hiding all along?
男はつらいよ (Drama, Comedy, Family)
The first in the long-running film series, Tora-san suddenly returns home and find his family, his friends, a side-kick and a love-interest, the Madonna, all waiting for him.
真夏の方程式 (Mystery, Drama)
The summer sea, fireworks, a boy … and a mystery that must not be solved. FUKUYAMA Masaharu returns as Yukawa, the brilliant physicist and Detective Galileo.
容疑者Xの献身 (Mystery, Drama)
A body disfigured beyond recognition and a killer out for revenge with detectives hot on the killer’s trail, with a brilliant physicist and the mysterious Suspect X locked in a mesmerising battle of wits.
私にふさわしいホテル (Comedy)
The Hill Top Hotel is the destination of all celebrated authors. But the promising Kayoko, who cannot catch a break, knows it takes more than hard work; it also takes cunning to be a great writer.
クロユリ団地 (Horror, Thriller)
Asuka uncovers the truth behind the noise from next door causing her to confront a terrible dark secret of her own.
着信アリ (Horror, Thriller)
A missed call from your own phone carries a premonition — what will happen when the moment arrives in three days’ time?
1 Like
Finished 書道ガールズ
Indeed, I think this was the best part! Which one was you favorite? At first, the last performance from our protagonists seemed kinda mid in comparison to the other schools, but through the accident and the improvisation it got its deserved shine.
1 Like
書道ガールズ
Maybe the performance just before theirs? It was so extra I was extremely impressed. 
I did like our home team’s finished 書道 piece the most, though; I thought it was balanced really well.
1 Like
I also finished 書道ガールズ. Surprisingly had a lot of comprehension issues which resulted in a real inability to keep the characters straight. Midway through the movie I thought “Wait there’s a girl with Sick Mom Disease in this movie?”
The shodo performances at the end were fun.
2 Likes
Reply
Was that the miniskirt ones? I was painfully made aware how much all of this represented my teenhood, the hairstyles, the clothes the pink miniskirts.
1 Like
Featured Movie August
This month’s movie is from the Japanese Books―Stories, Writers & Cinema feature. I noticed this is a book adaptation, so I linked it below as well.
私にふさわしいホテル (The Hotel of my Dream)
Watch it on JFF Theater
View Natively page
View Natively book page
JPN Description
「山の上ホテル」は、名だたる作家たちが集う場所。だが、なかなか芽が出ない新人作家の加代子は知っている――偉大な作家になるには努力だけでは足りない。必要なのは、したたかな策略だということを。
新人作家・加代子（のん）は文学賞を受賞しながらもデビューの機会をつかめずにいる。大御所作家・東十条（滝藤賢一）の酷評によって夢を打ち砕かれた彼女は、「山の上ホテル」へと足を運ぶ――そこは偉大な作家たちが集う場所。しかし運命のいたずらか、その東十条が真上の部屋に滞在していた。編集者の遠藤（田中圭）の力を借りた加代子は、締め切りに追われる東十条を出し抜こうと画策するが、やがて二人の対決は思いもよらぬ展開を迎える。『BUTTER』で知られる柚木麻子の小説を原作に映画化。加代子は果たして作家としての夢をかなえることができるのか。
ENG Description
The Hill Top Hotel is the destination of all celebrated authors. But the promising Kayoko, who cannot catch a break, knows it takes more than hard work; it also takes cunning to be a great writer.
Promising young writer Kayoko (Non) struggles to debut her work despite winning a literary award. Criticism from the respected Higashijujo (TAKITOH Kenichi) has scuppered her literary dreams compelling her to visit the Hill Top Hotel, destination of all great writers, only to find Higashijujo in the room above! With some help from her editor Endo (TANAKA Kei), Kayoko schemes to sabotage the critic, who is struggling to meet his own writing deadline, before their showdown takes an unexpected turn. Based on the novel by YUZUKI Asako, known for the acclaimed novel BUTTER, will Kayoko finally make her writer’s dream come true?
This month’s community pick! Watch it anytime during the streaming period and share your thoughts in this thread!
The watching period is until 2026-09-01T15:00:00Z. In the last week of August, we will do a brief check-in for any late-comers and catch-uppers.
If you want to watch another film from the list instead/additionally, you’re very welcome to talk about that here too.
Happy viewing everyone!
4 Likes
私にふさわしいホテル
What a ride! I hadn’t noticed that this was based on a novel, so I initially thought this was going to be some cutesy flimsy little story. It seemed that way for the first five minutes, then suddenly took a hard left… The main character is completely crackers and I’m here for it. The schemes! The jarring flips between obsequious 建前 and overblown 本音! The giant hair bows!! I want to read the source book now…
3 Likes
Agreed! The most delightfully unhinged movie I have seen in a while.
More thoughts (contains spoilers)
I loved all the subversion, especially Endo’s reveal. I want to go back and rewatch just to see his actions/reactions in a new light!
I caught on about her writing the meta-story fairly early, which made me wonder - is the version of the story we see actually her embellished version to make it more interesting (per her conversation with old writer guy when they were on the bridge in their Christmas costumes)? I think of moments like everyone randomly clapping when she pulled the tablecloth off the table and when she beat up the bookstore thief, or her singing karaoke with the “celebrity” dude at the Ginza club. The ambiguity is delicious!
1 Like
Starting September 2, three films by internationally acclaimed director KUROSAWA Kiyoshi will be streaming on JFF Theater, including “Pulse,” winner of the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as “Bright Future” and “License to Live.”
Don’t miss these remarkable works by KUROSAWA Kiyoshi, winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director at the 77th Venice International Film Festival for “Wife of a Spy”!
“Bright Future” (2002)
Genre: Drama
Yuji (ODAGIRI Joe) works a dead end job with Mamoru (ASANO Tadanobu) both full of rage and no sense of ambition. But Yuji dreams of the future until one day the rare Jellyfish entrusted to him escapes and he stops dreaming altogether. The loss leaves Yuji with a simple, terrifying choice; wait for the future to happen or go live life and meet the future head on.
“Pulse” (2001)
Genre: Horror, Thriller
One day, Michi (ASO Kumiko) witnesses her colleague commit suicide. Kawashima (KATO Haruhiko), a college student, sees the words “Would you like to meet a ghost?” appear on his computer.
The fear out of the Internet has no choice but to ooze into our world. The passage is now open. Everyone is disappearing and the world quietly drifted toward its death.
“License to Live” (1999)
Genre: Drama
Yutaka (NISHIJIMA Hidetoshi) has been in a coma for ten years. One day, he suddenly wakes up and discovers that his family is no longer together. Taken in by his father’s friend, FUJIMORI(YAKUSHO Koji), Yutaka decides to reopen the pony ride that his family once operated on their property and begins to rebuild his life.
Last Chance to Watch！
These three titles will no longer be available after 11:00 AM (JST) on Wednesday, September 2. Don’t miss your chance to watch it!
“BONSAI WARRIOR” (2014)
“Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t” (1992)
“YUDO” (2023)
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