The Ballad of Narayama poster
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The Ballad of Narayama

7.519581h 38mMovieDrama

In a remote village where food is scarce, elders who reach the age of 70 are carried by their children to the top of a nearby mountain to die in solitude. Orin, a vibrant 69-year-old grandmother, has accepted her fate — but struggles to prepare the rest of her family for the ritual.

DirectorKeisuke Kinoshita
WriterKeisuke Kinoshita
ProducersMasaharu Kokaji·Ryuzo Otani

Where to watch

Criterion ChannelCriterion Channel
Availability shown for Canada · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita

KTKinuyo Tanaka
Kinuyo Tanaka
Orin
TTTeiji Takahashi
Teiji Takahashi
Tatsuhei
YMYūko Mochizuki
Yūko Mochizuki
Tamayan
SMSeiji Miyaguchi
Seiji Miyaguchi
Matayan
YIYūnosuke Itō
Yūnosuke Itō
Matayan's son
KM
Ken Mitsuda
Teruyan
DIDanko Ichikawa
Danko Ichikawa
Kesakichi
KO
Keiko Ogasawara
Matsu-yan
ETEijirō Tōno
Eijirō Tōno
Messenger
KNKō Nishimura
Kō Nishimura
One of the villagers who Teaches Narayama's Manners (uncredited)
KH
Katsuyuki Hattori
Tatsuhei's son (uncredited)
TKTokuji Kobayashi
Tokuji Kobayashi
One of the villagers who teaches Narayama's manners (uncredited)

More from Kinuyo Tanaka · Lead actress

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1937 · 8.0
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More from Teiji Takahashi · Co-star actor

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1958 · 7.4
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1952 · 8.0
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More from Keisuke Kinoshita · Director

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1971
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1963 · 6.2
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1988 · 5.5
Wagako wa Tanin
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1974
Times of Joy and Sorrow
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1957 · 9.0
A Legend or Was It?
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1963 · 7.0
Ballad of a Workman
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1962 · 6.1
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More like this

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The Ballad of Narayama — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Ballad of Narayama?

The Ballad of Narayama is streaming on Criterion Channel in Canada, and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Ballad of Narayama on Netflix?

No, The Ballad of Narayama is not on Netflix in Canada as of September 2026. It's currently on Criterion Channel.

Is The Ballad of Narayama on Amazon Prime Video?

No, The Ballad of Narayama isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Canada right now. It's on Criterion Channel instead.

Where can I watch The Ballad of Narayama for free?

The Ballad of Narayama is available on Criterion Channel in Canada, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.