Where to watch Ikiru in Japan
Ikiru is streaming on U-NEXT in Japan, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and FOD. Availability checked 4 June 2026.
About Ikiru
Ikiru is a 1952 movie in the Drama genre, directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Takashi Shimura, Haruo Tanaka and Nobuo Kaneko. It has a runtime of 2 hours 23 minutes. It holds an average rating of 8.3/10 from 1,343 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Ikiru in Japan — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.
Ikiru trailer
Overview
Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.
Top cast
Takashi Shimura
Kanji Watanabe
Haruo Tanaka
Sakai
Nobuo Kaneko
Mitsuo, son of Kanji
Bokuzen Hidari
Ohara
Miki Odagiri
Toyo
Shinichi Himori
Kimura
Minoru Chiaki
Noguchi
Minosuke Yamada
Subordinate Clerk Saito
Kamatari Fujiwara
Sub-Section Chief Ono
Makoto Kobori
Kiichi Watanabe, Kanji's Brother
Nobuo Nakamura
Deputy Mayor
Atsushi Watanabe
Patient
Isao Kimura
Intern
Masao Shimizu
Doctor
Yūnosuke Itō
Novelist
Yoshie Minami
The Maid
Kumeko Urabe
Tatsu Watanabe
Eiko Miyoshi
Housewife
Noriko Honma
Housewife
Yatsuko Tan'ami
Bar Hostess
Themes & keywords
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Ikiru in Japan?+
In Japan, you can stream Ikiru on U-NEXT. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and FOD.
Is Ikiru on Netflix?+
Ikiru is not on Netflix in Japan right now, but you can stream it on U-NEXT.
How long is Ikiru?+
Ikiru has a runtime of 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).
Who stars in Ikiru?+
Ikiru stars Takashi Shimura, Haruo Tanaka, Nobuo Kaneko, Bokuzen Hidari and Miki Odagiri.
When did Ikiru come out?+
Ikiru is a 1952 movie directed by Akira Kurosawa.
What genre is Ikiru?+
Ikiru is Drama film.
Who directed Ikiru?+
Ikiru was directed by Akira Kurosawa.
User reviews
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