Synopsis
A laid-off cellist takes a job at a small-town funeral parlor preparing the dead.
What makes Departures worth watching
Best Foreign Language Film Oscar winner.
Departures represents a strong example of japan drama from the 2008 production cycle. Japanese studios have spent the past decade refining the kind of long-form storytelling on display here — careful character work, restrained pacing in the early episodes, and a willingness to let emotional beats land without overstatement. The blend of Drama and Music elements gives the show its tonal signature, sitting somewhere between mainstream comfort viewing and prestige drama.
The cast is led by Motoki Masahiro, Hirosue Ryoko, Yamazaki Tsutomu. It originally aired on Regent Releasing, and has since travelled internationally through the streaming partnerships listed above.
Where to watch Departures online
You can currently stream Departures on the following platforms (regional availability varies):
- Hulu — see all Hulu Asian drama listings on DramaSeek.
Streaming rights for Asian dramas shift constantly. We update each title page when a new platform picks up a series or a contract expires. If a service is geo-locked in your region, see our guide to legitimate options for international drama viewers.
If you liked Departures
Viewers who enjoy Departures typically also enjoy other japan drama. Below are six closely related titles drawn from our catalogue, ranked by genre and country overlap.
