Clouds Over the Hill
坂の上の雲
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 12:43 IST
About
Saka no Ue no Kumo is an NHK 21st Century special drama which was aired over three years starting from November 29, 2009. The series runs 13 episodes at 90 minutes each. The first series, with 5 episodes, was broadcast in 2009, while series two and three, each with 4 episodes, were broadcast in late 2010 and 2011. While most episodes were shot in Japan, one of the episodes in series two was shot in Latvia. The TV series is based on the novel Saka no ue no kumo by Ryōtarō Shiba and adopted by Hisashi Nozawa. The theme song of the drama series is titled "Stand Alone". It was composed by Joe Hisaishi, written by Kundo Koyama and performed by British soprano singer Sarah Brightman.
Cast
Episodes
Season 01
"Shōnen no Kuni" (少年の国)
After the defeat of Bakufu system which lasted for 260 years, more modern nation “Meiji” was born in Japan. However, this nation is more of a “land of the children” surrounded by “grownups” in the name of imperialism of western nations. There once were three men at Iyo-matsuyama located in Shikoku region. Yoshifuru Akiyama, Saneyuki Akiyama who later took a great part on “Russo-Japanese War” the biggest crisis Meiji Japan ever encountered and Shiki Masuoka who represents modern Japanese literature we know today with his brother. These 3 men who were raised by the people and land of Matsuyama, decided to move to Tokyo. Time flew by and these 3 men returned home and a took picture in front of Matsuyama castle. In the16th year of Meiji Era (1883), Yoshifuru enrolled at Army War College. In June of the same year, while Shiki was giving a speech for Freedom and People’s Right Movement, he received a letter from his young sister Ritsu, written by his uncle in Tokyo. In the letter his uncle suggests he move to Tokyo. The letter delighted him, and he immediately decided to move.
"Seiun" (青雲)
In 1884, a year has passed since Saneyuki and Shiki moved to Tokyo, a different world from Iyo-Matsuyama due to Westernization. In September, both Saneyuki and Shiki pass the entrance exam to the preliminary University. As Yoshifuru was told about their success, he admonished them to be independent and not pamper themselves. On the other hand, at Army College where Yoshifuru was enrolled, Gentaro Kodama offers Major Mackel a post to teach combat tactics of the German Army. The Japanese Army becomes German style.
"Kokka Meidō" (国家鳴動)
“Land of the children,” Meiji Japan that began treading in rough water of Western power has been suffering from a world stage, just like the main characters. In 1889, the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was proclaimed and Japan began to establish the foundation of a modern nation. In summer of this year, Shiki goes home in Matsuyama for medical treatment. Saneyuki also comes home from Edashima and they see each other after an interval of three years. They spend time with Ritsu who has been taking care of Shiki. However, Shiki says that he will follow the path of Haiku, deciding to use his real name “Shiki” as the pseudonym. Meanwhile, Saneyuki causes a trouble during his homecoming.
"Nisshin Kaisen" (日清開戦)
In 1894, Russia advances policy of southward expansion, Qing Dynasty says that Korea is its vassal state and Japan want to build new footing. Among the three countries, Korea had been swinging. The war broke out between Japan and the Qing Dynasty which stems from the run of so-called party Donghak that occurred there. Yoshifuru campaigns with Marenori Nogi to participate in the attack of the Port Arthur fortress. Yoshifuru felt out Katuaki’s view of the enemy’s position, leading the cavalry. The total attack is initiated based on that report, and the Port Arthur has fallen in a day. The following year, Shiki who works as a reporter for "Japan" newspaper appeals to Katsunan Kuga, an editor in chief, and he becomes a war correspondent and leaves for the battlefront of Qing. However, a peace negotiation between the two governments already had begun. Shiki and Rintaro Mori, a surgeon he met inside around the villages that were destroyed, talk about the war. Saneyuki also participates in the actual battle in the "Tsukushi" cruiser for the first time and the real horrors shocks him to allow subordinates to die. Saneyuki returned and had an opportunity to talk with Heihachiro Togo.
"Ryūgaku Sei" (留学生)
September 1895, Saneyuki visited Shiki in Matsuyama as a warship, "Tsukushi",returned to Kure. At that time, Shiki had been boarding with Kinnosuke Natsume who was appointed as a Junior high school English teacher in Matsuyama. On his way home, Saneyuki asked Ritsu about Shiki's condition. Ritsu bravely answered she will not fail to cure his disease. June 1875, a topic of study abroad was brought up among young naval officers. Saneyuki dared to go to the United States, a developing country under Europe. Saneyuki's best friend, Takeo Hirose, expected a future battle between Russia and Japan, and decides to go to Russia. Saneyuki visits Shiki before he leaves and Shiki tells that he will compose a Haiku, risking his life. While studying in the U.S., Saneyuki asked a world tactician, Alfred Mahan, for guidance and had an opportunity to go as a military officer to observe military operations. The report has been said to excel above all others in Japanese naval history.
Where does Clouds Over the Hill rank today?
Clouds Over the Hill is #915 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
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Watch Clouds Over the Hill Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream Clouds Over the Hill online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A well-rated war & politics and drama series originally produced in Japanese and released in 2009, it's earned a solid 7.7/10 from 14 viewers worldwide.
About Clouds Over the Hill
Saka no Ue no Kumo is an NHK 21st Century special drama which was aired over three years starting from November 29, 2009. The series runs 13 episodes at 90 minutes each. The first series, with 5 episodes, was broadcast in 2009, while series two and three, each with 4 episodes, were broadcast in late 2010 and 2011. While most episodes were shot in Japan, one of the episodes in series two was shot in Latvia. The TV series is based on the novel Saka no ue no kumo by Ryōtarō Shiba and adopted by Hisashi Nozawa. The theme song of the drama series is titled "Stand Alone". It was composed by Joe Hisaishi, written by Kundo Koyama and performed by British soprano singer Sarah Brightman. Across 3 seasons and 13 episodes, originally airing on NHK BS1.
Clouds Over the Hill Cast and Characters
The cast features Masahiro Motoki (as 秋山真之), Hiroshi Abe (as 秋山好古), Miho Kanno (as 正岡律), Takako Matsu (as 秋山多美), and Marina Aleksandrova (as アリアズナ). Their performances are a major reason Clouds Over the Hill has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Clouds Over the Hill Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch Clouds Over the Hill free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch Clouds Over the Hill NowWhy People Are Watching Clouds Over the Hill
There's a reason Clouds Over the Hill keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy Japanese storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clouds Over the Hill
Where can I watch Clouds Over the Hill online for free?
You can watch Clouds Over the Hill online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Clouds Over the Hill have?
Clouds Over the Hill has 13 episodes across 3 seasons. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Clouds Over the Hill good? What's the rating?
Clouds Over the Hill holds a 7.7/10 rating based on 14 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of Clouds Over the Hill?
The main cast includes Masahiro Motoki, Hiroshi Abe, Miho Kanno, and Takako Matsu, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is Clouds Over the Hill available in Japanese?
Yes — Clouds Over the Hill was originally produced in Japanese and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was Clouds Over the Hill released?
Clouds Over the Hill first aired in 2009.
Do I need an account to watch Clouds Over the Hill on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Clouds Over the Hill without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed Clouds Over the Hill, check out Cooking Crush, Planet of the Apes, Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation, The King of Warsaw, and East of Eden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Clouds Over the Hill for free?
You can watch Clouds Over the Hill online for free on Bowood.TV. All 13 episodes across 3 seasons are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Clouds Over the Hill have?
Clouds Over the Hill currently has 3 seasons and a total of 13 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Clouds Over the Hill about?
Saka no Ue no Kumo is an NHK 21st Century special drama which was aired over three years starting from November 29, 2009. The series runs 13 episodes at 90 minutes each. The first series, with 5 episodes, was broadcast in 2009, while series two and three, each with 4 episodes, were broadcast in late 2010 and 2011. W… It belongs to the War & Politics, Drama genres.
In which language is Clouds Over the Hill originally available?
Clouds Over the Hill was originally produced in JA. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original JA audio. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Clouds Over the Hill first released?
Clouds Over the Hill first premiered on November 29, 2009 (2009). The series has since concluded its run.
All Seasons
Browse every season of Clouds Over the Hill — 3 seasons in total
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