Funnily enough, I watch anime and Japanese movies for the same reason as you two. Finding out about daily life and speech patterns and mannerisms, as opposed to checking out the local talent, which is far too lowbrow for a prudish snob like me. . .
Ghibli anime are my favourite source of reference for Japanese life. I've never seen a Ghibli heroine who I couldn't see myself falling in love with. But that doesn't count as checking out the local talent, because they're not real. But wait . . . wouldn't that make me even more twisted and lecherous than you? Oh, the shame. . .
Getting back to subject, I found the original Sega Dreamcast Shenmue game to be a great look at semi-rural Japanese life. Semi-rural Japanese life in 1986, mind you. . .
I've never seen Ultraman either. There's an American independent comic by a feller called Jeff Nicholson called Ultraklutz, which started out as a homage to Ultraman. By all accounts it became less monster of the week and more philosphical contemplation of the week towards the end of its run. Also check out Nicholson's latest project, Colonia, for a glimpse at what the world may have been like if Columbus had landed in the Caribbean . . . to find an America devoid of natives. No chocolate . . . no potatoes . . . no Kirsten Dunst . . . brr. . .