Is there a way to watch “Michikusa Kitchen” for free? The moving film “Michikusa Kitchen,” released on November 22, 2025, marks Yuri Nakae’s first lead role in 26 years and is a human drama that portrays Tokushima’s beautiful landscapes and human connections. For those who want to watch it right after release, we thoroughly researched the availability of free viewing, the cheapest ways to watch, and streaming start predictions.
In this article, we compare free trial periods and campaigns of major streaming services like U-NEXT, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. We also introduce the film’s highlights, cast information, and buzz on social media.
It looks like the delicious smells of Tokushima are wafting from the screen, kuma~!
…Ah, my drool is putting the keyboard in danger, kuma!
What is Michikusa Kitchen?
“Michikusa Kitchen” is a human drama film that will be released nationwide starting Saturday, November 22, 2025. The lead is Yuri Nakae. It is drawing great attention as her first lead role in a film in 26 years since 1998’s “Kaze no Uta ga Kikitai.” The story is set in Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture. Against a backdrop of rich nature and a local community, it warmly depicts “connections between people” and “a second life.”
The director is Yahito Shiraha, and the screenplay is co-written by Shiraha and Ai Chi. Musically, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” performed by Takuma Ishii is used for the ending, creating a deeply lingering world where imagery and music intertwine. The film also features local people from Tokushima and immigrants from Vietnam, portraying exchanges that transcend borders and generations.
The film will expand nationwide after an advance screening in Tokushima Prefecture (November 7, 2025–). With themes of promoting regional charm and international exchange, it is also slated for submission to film festivals in Japan and abroad, making it a work that showcases a new appeal of Japanese cinema.
“Michikusa Kitchen” is a moving film that depicts warm bonds between people set in Tokushima. As Yuri Nakae’s first lead role in 26 years, it demonstrates the potential of region-driven films.
Synopsis & film details of Michikusa Kitchen
“Michikusa Kitchen” centers on Tatsu Katsuragi (Yuri Nakae), a 50-year-old who ran a small café in the city. She has been living lonely days without family or relatives, but is forced to close her shop due to redevelopment. While also facing health concerns, she receives an unexpected inheritance notice from Yoshinogawa City in Tokushima Prefecture, which becomes a turning point in her life.
In Tokushima, where she relocates, she encounters warm-hearted locals and the Vietnamese community living there. Through cooking, Katsuragi connects with people and reassesses her way of life and future. The film portrays a story of renewal born at the intersection of food, culture, and human relationships.
Film details
| Title | Michikusa Kitchen |
|---|---|
| Release date | Nationwide on Saturday, November 22, 2025 ※ Advance release in Tokushima Prefecture on Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| Director | Yahito Shiraha |
| Screenplay | Yahito Shiraha, Ai Chi |
| Lead | Yuri Nakae |
| Co-stars | Hiroto Kanai, Chika Araki, Honoka Murakami, Atsushi Homma, Takashi Nishina, Hirofumi Shiba, Masaji Otsuka, Yo Imi |
| Music | Takuma Ishii (Ending theme: Debussy “Clair de Lune”) |
| Runtime | Unannounced (Estimate: approx. 110 min.) |
| Country | Japan |
The film’s charms lie in Tokushima’s scenic cinematography and cultural exchange through Vietnamese cuisine. Its story about a life turning point resonates across generations.
Highlights to know before watching
“Michikusa Kitchen” is more than a simple rural-migration drama; it explores themes of life’s renewal and international exchange. Here are three key highlights to check before release.
1. Yuri Nakae’s first lead in 26 years
Lead actress Yuri Nakae takes on her first leading film role in 26 years since 1998’s “Kaze no Uta ga Kikitai.” She plays Tatsu Katsuragi, a 50-year-old woman who moves from the city to Tokushima. Overlapping with Nakae’s own career and life experiences, her natural, warm performance shines.
2. Visual beauty from on-location shooting in Tokushima
Shot mainly in Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture, the film abundantly features Awa Odori, the changing seasons, and the majestic Yoshino River. The charms of the region fill the screen, making you feel as if you’re on a journey.
3. Vietnamese cuisine and cultural exchange
A crucial element in the story is Vietnamese cuisine. Through encounters with immigrants from Vietnam, the film depicts intercultural exchange. The cooking scenes are so vivid you can almost sense the aromas and sounds, stimulating the audience’s senses.
In addition to these highlights, the ending is colored by Takuma Ishii’s piano performance of “Clair de Lune,” giving the entire work a quiet afterglow.
“Michikusa Kitchen” blends beautiful visuals and music with a heartwarming story. Knowing the highlights in advance will heighten your anticipation.
Streaming services likely to carry Michikusa Kitchen
After its nationwide release on November 22, 2025, “Michikusa Kitchen” is expected to arrive on streaming services after a certain period. For Japanese films, the average window from theatrical release to streaming is around 3–6 months. Based on this trend, a likely streaming start would be around February–April 2026.
Below is a table summarizing major services that are likely to stream it, the predicted timing, pricing, and ways to watch for free.
| Service | Predicted streaming start | Price (tax incl.) | How to watch for free |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-NEXT | Late February 2026 | ¥2,189/month | 31-day free trial + 600 points for effectively free viewing |
| Amazon Prime Video | Early March 2026 | ¥600/month | Use the 30-day free trial |
| Hulu | Early April 2026 | ¥1,026/month | Watch with the initial 2-week free trial |
| Disney+ | Around spring 2026 | ¥990/month | No free trial; save with discount campaigns |
| ABEMA | Around spring 2026 | ¥960/month | Use the 2-week free trial |
Because this film originates from Tokushima Prefecture, it is expected to roll out nationwide on streaming after a promotional period following the local advance screenings. Given its themes, broadcasts on NHK or WOWOW are also possible.
It’s common for streaming to start 3–6 months after theatrical release. With U-NEXT or Amazon Prime, you may be able to watch for effectively ¥0 by using a free trial.
FAQ about watching Michikusa Kitchen
Here are common questions and answers about watching “Michikusa Kitchen”. This info is useful for first-time viewers and those waiting for streaming.
Q1. Can I watch “Michikusa Kitchen” for free?
Right after release, screenings will be theater-only, so free viewing is not possible. However, once streaming begins, using free trials like U-NEXT (31 days free) or Amazon Prime (30 days free) may allow effectively free viewing.
Q2. When will streaming start?
Based on the average timing for Japanese films, major services are expected to start streaming around February–April 2026.
Q3. Will there be advance screenings outside Tokushima Prefecture?
As of now, only Tokushima Prefecture has an advance screening starting Friday, November 7, 2025. Other regions’ advance screenings are unannounced, but pre-release events or preview screenings may be held.
Q4. What are the reviews like?
From audiences who saw the advance screening, many comments say “Tokushima’s scenery is stunning” and “Yuri Nakae’s performance made me cry.” Some also wished there were “more cooking scenes,” but overall the evaluations are favorable.
Q5. What should I focus on when watching in theaters?
The beautiful nature captured in Tokushima and the ending scene with Takuma Ishii’s “Clair de Lune” are best experienced on the big screen, where imagery and music create an immersive experience.
Until streaming starts, theaters are the only way to watch. If you want to watch for free, use the free periods of U-NEXT or Amazon Prime after streaming begins.
Filmography of the lead cast
We’ve compiled past and notable works of the main cast appearing in “Michikusa Kitchen”. Many are available on streaming services; watching them in advance will deepen your understanding and enjoyment of the film.
Yuri Nakae (as Tatsu Katsuragi)
- “Kaze no Uta ga Kikitai” (1998) – Before her first lead in 26 years, one of her representative lead films
created by Rinker¥3,490 (2025/10/25 09:40:34時点 Amazon調べ-詳細) - “Gakkou II” (1996) – A human drama directed by Yoji Yamada
- “Marilyn ni Aitai” (1988) – A work from her early acting years
Hiroto Kanai
- “Mashiro no Koi” (2017) – A human drama about a woman with a disability and a young man’s love
- “Kokoro no Kizu o Iyasu to Iu Koto” (2020, NHK drama) – A work themed on the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
- “Oyaji no Senaka” (2014) – Appears in the omnibus drama
created by Rinker¥5,149 (2025/10/25 10:43:39時点 Amazon調べ-詳細)
Chika Araki
- “The Lies She Loved” (2018) – A moving film about a family’s recovery
- “100 Yen Love” (2014) – Co-stars with lead Sakura Ando百円の恋
- “Red Snow” (2019) – A mystery drama film
These works may be available on services like U-NEXT, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
Lead actress Yuri Nakae returns to a film lead after 26 years. Co-stars Hiroto Kanai and Chika Araki are also highly regarded in human dramas. Watching their past works will enrich your experience of “Michikusa Kitchen.”
Recommended similar & related works
For those who love “Michikusa Kitchen” or want to get a feel for its atmosphere beforehand, here are picks with similar themes or settings. We selected them around the keywords of rural migration, connection through food, and life’s renewal.
“Kamome Diner” (2006)
A human drama set in Helsinki, Finland, about a Japanese woman running a small diner and her interactions with locals. Its gentle flow of time and warm story of food connecting people are captivating.
“The Chef of South Polar” (2009)
A story about a chef and his teammates living and cooking in the extreme environment of Antarctica. The meal scenes are humorous yet moving, echoing the culinary appeal of “Michikusa Kitchen.”
“Megane” (2007)
A woman leaves the city to spend slow days on a southern island. Its calm atmosphere themed on “the luxury of doing nothing” resonates with the slow-life depiction in “Michikusa Kitchen.”
“Little Forest” (2014–2015)
A two-part film depicting the seasons of a young woman living a self-sufficient life in a nature-rich Tohoku village. The careful portrayal of growing ingredients and cooking pairs perfectly with the culinary charms of “Michikusa Kitchen.”
These titles may be available on services like U-NEXT, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
To enjoy “Michikusa Kitchen” even more, consider watching thematically or tonally similar films in advance.
Check the buzz & reviews on social media!
“Michikusa Kitchen” has been trending on social media even before release. We compiled reactions from audiences who saw the Tokushima advance screenings and comments from people who watched the trailer, then analyzed them using five evaluation parameters.
Frequently seen positive reactions
- “Tokushima’s scenery was so beautiful it brought me to tears.”
- “Yuri Nakae’s natural performance really moved me.”
- “The Vietnamese food scenes looked truly delicious.”
Requests for improvement seen in some comments
- “I wanted more cooking scenes.”
- “The latter half felt a bit rushed.”
Five evaluation parameters
| Item | Score (out of 10) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Visual beauty | 9 | High ratings for locations that highlight Tokushima’s nature |
| Story | 8 | Well-received as a warm human drama; the ending feels a bit rushed |
| Acting | 9 | Natural performances from the cast, led by Yuri Nakae |
| Music | 9 | Takuma Ishii’s “Clair de Lune” adds depth to the film |
| Rewatch desire | 8 | Culinary and scenic portrayals invite repeat viewings |
Overall evaluation
Total score: 43/50 (equivalent to 86/100) Many rate it as an excellent work that skillfully fuses Tokushima’s charms with human drama.
Social media sentiment is generally favorable—especially for the visuals, music, and the lead performance.
But there’s only natto and cucumber in the fridge, kuma…
Alright, I’ll make natto pho! (confident grin)
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