Not sure if it counts as a JRPG (I know Y7 counts as one), but the Yakuza series is some serious gourmet shit. It's not a Japanese GTA game.
Although released on a later date, Yakuza 0 is the best game to start off with as it's a prequel to all the games.
The main stories are super serious and dramatic, but then the side stuff is a complete 180.
Well, I think this video shows what I mean pretty well.
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