TV series
Furuhata Ninzaburō is a Japanese television series that ran periodically on Fuji Television from 1994 until its final episodes in 2006. It was written by Japanese playwright Kōki Mitani and is often referred to as the Japanese version of Columbo. The series is a police detective drama starring actor Masakazu Tamura as Furuhata Ninzaburo and Masahiko Nishimura as his stereotypically bumbling sidekick, Shintaro Imaizumi. The program aired weekly and featured a guest villain each time, usually a famous talent in Japan. Pop-stars like SMAP, television hosts like Sanma Akashiya and even sports figures like Ichiro Suzuki have been featured on this program. It was one of the most popular television dramas in the history of Japanese television, having spawned several seasons and TV specials.
Browse similar titlesAvailability
Furuhata Ninzaburo premiered April 13, 1994. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Furuhata Ninzaburō is a Japanese television series that ran periodically on Fuji Television from 1994 until its final episodes in 2006. It was written by Japanese playwright Kōki Mitani and is often referred to as the Japanese version of Columbo. The series is a police detective drama starring actor Masakazu Tamura as Furuhata Ninzaburo and Masahiko Nishimura as his stereotypically bumbling sidekick, Shintaro Imaizumi. The program aired weekly and featured a guest villain each time, usually a famous talent in Japan. Pop-stars like SMAP, television hosts like Sanma Akashiya and even sports figures like Ichiro Suzuki have been featured on this program. It was one of the most popular television dramas in the history of Japanese television, having spawned several seasons and TV specials.
Cast, crew and production details
Masakazu Tamura古畑任三郎
Masahiko Nishimura今泉慎太郎
Takashi Kobayashi向島音吉
Masanori Ishii西園寺守
Mao Daichi
Yasuko Sawaguchi
Masao Kusakari
Toshiaki Karasawa
Fuji TVJapan
Fuji Television NetworkJapanWatch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
Furuhata investigates a series of bizarre, seemingly random accidental deaths. He zeroes in on the suspected murderer, but loses faith in his instincts when the suspect is himself killed. However, in the end, he ends up solving three murders and catching the real suspect.
Guest stars Tatsuya Fujiwara, Koji Ishizaka
Where to watch Furuhata Ninzaburo
Episode 2
Ichiro Suzuki, a baseball player obsessed with fair play, murders a man who was blackmailing his brother who is none other than Furuhata's faithful friend Mukojima.
Guest stars Ichiro Suzuki, Tomohiko Imai, Kenichi Yajima, Takayuki Sugo, Chika Kochihira, Mary Takeyama, Hatsumi Ishizuka, Senzaburo Makimura
Where to watch Furuhata Ninzaburo
Episode 3
Kyoko Kagami is a pen name for a pair of twin writers. After one sister kills the other, their technical advisor Furuhata investigates. His investigation is complicated by his feelings for the surviving sister.
Guest stars Nanako Matsushima, Fumiyo Kohinata, Yoshimasa Kondo, Yoneko Matsukane
Where to watch Furuhata NinzaburoEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
Similar shows available in United States are shown first.
