On March 1, 2025, the classic J-drama "Yamato Nadeshiko," starring the legendary Nanako Matsushima, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Akiko Yada, and Risa Sudo, officially landed on Netflix. The iconic series, which tells the story of a money-obsessed woman and a man from a humble background, is once again the talk of the town.
Coinciding with its streaming debut, Japanese media outlet Rankingoo! released the results of a fan poll to determine the "Most Heart-Fluttering Japanese Romance Drama" of all time. While "Yamato Nadeshiko" made the list, it was joined by other massive hits like 2022's breakout series "Silent," 2006's "Nodame Cantabile," and the 1996 Takuya Kimura classic "Long Vacation." So, which shows managed to rank even higher? Let's dive into the top 10!
Japan's Top 10 Romance J-Dramas
#10: "Great Love: With You Who Forget Me" (2018)
Starring: Erika Toda, Tsuyoshi Muro
#9: "Operation Love" (2007)
Starring: Tomohisa Yamashita, Masami Nagasawa
#8: "Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World" (2004)
Starring: Takayuki Yamada, Haruka Ayase
#7: "Love That Makes You Cry" (2016)
Starring: Kengo Kora, Kasumi Arimura
#6: "Silent" (2022)
Starring: Haruna Kawaguchi, Ren Meguro
#5: "Nodame Cantabile" (2006)
Starring: Juri Ueno, Hiroshi Tamaki
Based on the manga by Tomoko Ninomiya, "Nodame Cantabile" is a romantic comedy about the eccentric but talented pianist Megumi "Nodame" Noda and the ambitious conductor-in-training Shinichi Chiaki. The classical music-themed series was a massive hit, with fans calling it "a masterpiece of romantic comedy with outstanding performances from both leads!"
#4: "Long Vacation" (1996)
Starring: Takuya Kimura, Tomoko Yamaguchi
Still hailed as a quintessential J-drama classic, "Long Vacation" was so popular it was famously said to be the reason "OLs (office ladies) disappeared from the streets on Monday nights." It also became one of Takuya Kimura's most defining roles. The story follows Minami Hayama, a model jilted at the altar, who ends up living with her ex-fiancé's roommate, a struggling pianist named Hidetoshi Sena. As they navigate life together, a deep bond and a touching romance begin to blossom.
#3: "Yamato Nadeshiko" (2000)
Starring: Nanako Matsushima, Shinichi Tsutsumi
Now streaming on Netflix, "Yamato Nadeshiko" was one of the most iconic J-dramas of the early 2000s. Its theme song, "Everything" by MISIA, became a massive, chart-topping hit that remains beloved to this day.
The story centers on Sakurako Kanno, a woman whose impoverished upbringing instilled in her a belief that money is more important than love. She meets Osuke Nakahara and, believing him to be wealthy, tries to win him over, only to discover he's a humble fishmonger. This kicks off a turbulent but heartfelt romantic journey full of twists and turns.
#2: "Boys Over Flowers" (Hana Yori Dango)
Starring: Mao Inoue, Jun Matsumoto, Shun Oguri, Shota Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Abe
Based on the legendary manga of the same name by Yoko Kamio, the story of "Boys Over Flowers" is a global phenomenon, with popular adaptations in Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Thailand. The plot follows Tsukushi Makino, a tough, working-class girl attending a prestigious school for the super-rich, who finds herself entangled with the "F4," a clique of four handsome and powerful heirs led by the arrogant Tsukasa Domyouji.
#1: "The Full-Time Wife Escapist" (2016)
Starring: Yui Aragaki, Gen Hoshino
Adapted from the manga by Tsunami Umino, "The Full-Time Wife Escapist" became a cultural sensation upon its 2016 debut. The show's popularity was so immense that its leads, Yui Aragaki and Gen Hoshino, ended up getting married in real life. The story is a romantic comedy about Mikuri Moriyama, an unemployed young woman who enters a contract marriage with Hiramasa Tsuzaki, a meticulous and romantically inexperienced office worker. Their journey from a business arrangement to genuine attraction captured the hearts of millions.
via： ランキングー！