Poster for The Taste of Tea

The Taste of Tea (2004) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

A spell of time in the life of the five-piece Haruno family in rural Tochigi Prefecture. Yoshiko is not an ordinary housewife, instead working on an animated film project. Uncle Ayano, a successful music producer, is looking to get his head together after living in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Sachiko is concerned with why she seems to be followed by a giant version of herself. As the lazy days pass by, each member of the family is followed in a series of episodic vignettes.

Rated NR • 2004 • 2h 23m

7.5
100+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
13+

This lengthy, surreal Japanese family dramedy is unrated but contains content best suited for teens and older viewers. The film's rating is driven primarily by strong language in the English subtitles, including at least one use of "f*ck," and a few surprising moments of violence. One scene involves a woman biting a man's head, causing a bloody injury. The dominant tone of "The Taste of Tea" is quirky and contemplative, focusing on the… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Maya Suzuno
Maya Suzuno
Takahiro Sato
Takahiro Sato
Tadanobu Asano
Tadanobu Asano
Satomi Tezuka
Satomi Tezuka
Tatsuya Gashuin
Tatsuya Gashuin
Tomokazu Miura
Tomokazu Miura
Anna Tsuchiya
Anna Tsuchiya
Tomoko Nakajima
Tomoko Nakajima
IT
Ikki Todoroki
Kirin Kiki
Kirin Kiki
KM
Kaiji Moriyama
Ryo Kase
Ryo Kase
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Is The Taste of Tea appropriate for kids?

This lengthy, surreal Japanese family dramedy is unrated but contains content best suited for teens and older viewers. The film's rating is driven primarily by strong language in the English subtitles, including at least one use of "f*ck," and a few surprising moments of… Read more — free account

Content severity in The Taste of Tea

Sex Mild 2/10
Violence Strong 6/10
Language Strong 7/10
Substances Mild 2/10
Themes Moderate 4/10

What happens in The Taste of Tea, moment by moment

  1. 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
  2. 0:32 🍷 Substances 2/10
  3. 0:45 💬 Language 3/10
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Sex and nudity in The Taste of Tea

Very mild. There is no nudity or sexual activity. At one point, a group of young boys has a brief, awkward conversation about girls and attraction, but the content is rooted in childish curiosity rather than explicit detail.

Violence and gore in The Taste of Tea

Moderate. Most of the film is gentle, but there are a couple of jarring, comically-toned violent outbursts. In one scene, a woman repeatedly punches and kicks a man after he falls from a chair. Another more notable scene involves a woman biting a man's head, causing blood to run down his face. This moment is surreal but briefly graphic.

Language in The Taste of Tea

Strong. The English subtitles contain infrequent but strong profanity. At least one use of "f*ck" is present, along with terms like "shit," "asshole," and "dickhead." Some strong toilet humor is also included.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Taste of Tea

Mild. Adults are occasionally shown drinking beer and smoking cigarettes in social, everyday contexts. This is presented as a normal part of life and is not a central focus of the story.

Mature themes in The Taste of Tea

Mild to moderate. The film explores themes of family dynamics, navigating personal anxiety, and dealing with grief and memory. The main surreal element involves a young girl, Sachiko, being followed by a giant doppelgänger, which serves as a metaphor for her feelings. Other themes include unrequited love and finding one's purpose in a quiet, rural setting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Taste of Tea appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Taste of Tea is best for ages 13+. It's rated NR. This lengthy, surreal Japanese family dramedy is unrated but contains content best suited for teens and older viewers. The film's rating is driven primarily by strong language in the English subtitles, including at…

What age rating does The Taste of Tea have?

The Taste of Tea is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

What is The Taste of Tea about?

This lengthy, surreal Japanese family dramedy is unrated but contains content best suited for teens and older viewers. The film's rating is driven primarily by strong language in the English subtitles, including at least one use of "f*ck," and a few surprising moments of violence. One scene involves a woman biting a…

Is there sex or nudity in The Taste of Tea?

Very mild. There is no nudity or sexual activity. At one point, a group of young boys has a brief, awkward conversation about girls and attraction, but the content is rooted in childish curiosity rather than explicit detail.

How violent is The Taste of Tea?

Moderate. Most of the film is gentle, but there are a couple of jarring, comically-toned violent outbursts. In one scene, a woman repeatedly punches and kicks a man after he falls from a chair. Another more notable scene involves a woman biting a man's head…

Is the language in The Taste of Tea appropriate for kids?

Strong. The English subtitles contain infrequent but strong profanity. At least one use of "f*ck" is present, along with terms like "shit," "asshole," and "dickhead." Some strong toilet humor is also included.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Taste of Tea?

Mild. Adults are occasionally shown drinking beer and smoking cigarettes in social, everyday contexts. This is presented as a normal part of life and is not a central focus of the story.

What mature themes appear in The Taste of Tea?

Mild to moderate. The film explores themes of family dynamics, navigating personal anxiety, and dealing with grief and memory. The main surreal element involves a young girl, Sachiko, being followed by a giant doppelgänger, which serves as a metaphor for her…

How long is The Taste of Tea?

The Taste of Tea runs 143 minutes, directed by Katsuhito Ishii, released in 2004.

Where can I read the full The Taste of Tea parent guide?

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