Kundo Koyama

Yudo: The Way of the Bath

Two estranged brothers inherit Marukin Hot Springs, a small-town bathhouse. One sees it as an homage to their late father; the other—a struggling architect—as lucrative real estate for condos. Their eclectic collection of townsfolk customers show them the value of the bath goes way beyond a scrub and soak.

Song of the Beginning

Wataru, a freelance cameraman who works for a travel magazine in Tokyo. He had aimed to be a teacher but failed to achieve his goal and left home to go to Tokyo. However, he does not do well in Tokyo and has to return to his hometown. Wataru reunites with his former girlfriend who is a primary school teacher now and through his interaction with his family, friends and a group of primary school students who want to take part in a choir contest, he begins to take steps to resurrect his dream of being a teacher.

Snow Prince

10-year-old Sota lives with his grandfather and a dog named Chibi in a small snowy village. They live in such a poverty that Sota cannot even afford to go to school, but however hard the situation is, Sota never holds a bad feeling against anyone around and keeps his dream alive to become a painter. He has been friends with Sayo, a girl brought up in a wealthy family, ever since they were little despite the difference of their family position, which Sayo’s father has uneasy feelings against. In spite of the difficulties he faces, Sota manages to complete a piece of painting which he wishes to give Sayo. He and Chibi goes down a snowy night path to Sayo’s house to find that her father’s storage is on fire... What waits for Sota and Chibi gently reminds that genuine happiness always exists in your heart.

Departures

Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.

School Ghost Story: Curse Special

Japanese horror film with four segments.

Mystery Experience Zone: Really Scary Stories: Ghost Photos sent to you & Ghost Detectives

Story teller Kinya Aikawa serves as a guide in this horror drama series, which is presented in an omnibus format with two stories each based on the stories of people who have experienced horror. Kanako (Yasuko Sawaguchi) looks through the viewfinder of a second-hand camera she bought and sees a boy with a look of hatred on his face staring back at her. When she looks up, the boy is gone, and when she looks through the viewfinder again, she sees the boy staring back at her. Kanako is now haunted by the spirit of the boy and the adults who are close to him....