Japan
Film Locations. Japan offers a wealth of unique looks - cutting edge architecture, chaotic Asian cities, historical architecture, temples, shrines, bamboo forests, rivers, snowy mountains, seaside, bullet trains.
Tokyo and Osaka are the main production centres. Osaka has two satellite cities - Kyoto is the historic city and Kobe is the film friendly city.
Permits. Most locations take around a week to permit. Technically speaking it's not easy to block Tokyo streets however our location team has been able to control traffic in some locations. Some areas require additional permition from the neighborhood association. Our location team are experienced in dealing with these associations as well.
When to shoot? Japan has
a typical four-season climate - warm summers,
colourful leaves in fall, white winters, and cherry blossoms in spring.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. Japan is a relatively expensive place to shoot certainly compared to the rest of Asia. It is typically less expensive then shooting in the US or most of Western Europe.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Japan offers a great depth of Asian and Eurasian looking talent. There is also a considerable pool of international models and actors who live and work in Japan for extended periods of time.
Please see here for examples of locally available talent:
Avocado
K and M
Freewave
Elite
Avenue
Folio Models
Parfe Models
Axelle
Japan has a good local pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers although not many speak fluent English.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are non-union. Good depth of professional experienced crews that speak fluent English.
Fringes. No hidden extras. Crew
members are independent contractors and take care of their own taxes and contributions.
Premiums. Japan works on a 10 hour shooting day. Overtime is negotiable and tends to be less expensive then what you find in most western countries. Most crew are hired through companies that specialize in supplying specific departments making it easier to package crews and negotiate better rates. Japan has no turn-around rules. No weekend, holidays or night shoot premiums apply. New Years Eve and Golden Week (beginning of May) are major public holidays so crews and talent are limited and extra charges are possible.
Equipment. Japan has both Arri and Panavision as well as a host of specialized suppliers. Japan offers a wealth of cutting edge technical equipment.
Art department and set construction is of the highest standard. Set construction is also of a high standard but it is very expensive to execute in Japan. To give you an idea of the high standard of work Lost in Translation, Babel, and Wild Speed X3 were all filmed in Japan.
Studios and backlots. Japan has a samurai movie backlot. Yokohama Super Factory is the largest and leading studio in Japan.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for foreign feature films or commercials shooting in Japan.
Film Stock. Both Kodak and Fuji available locally.
Post Production. Locally available facilities include:
Imagica
Omnibus Japan
Digital Egg
Visas and Work Permits. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Contact your local Japanese embassy or representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure. Roads are up to international standards. Japan is very well serviced by domestic carriers and bullet trains. Tokyo and Osaka are well serviced by several international carriers.
Accommodation. Recommended options in Tokyo include:
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Park Hotel
Southern Tower
Shibuya Excel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Japan is a very safe and reliable a filming centre.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Japan, please see below:
Our production service companies, line producers and fixers have serviced TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries for:
AXA Belgium, BBC UK, Canon Singapore, Coca Cola Indonesia, Concord Canada, Dove Malaysia, Deutche Bank Germany, Dressman Sweden, Evian France, HBO USA, Heineken Ireland, Hyundai Korea, Intercontinental Hotels Global, ITC India, Kirin Japan, Kraft USA, Landrover UK, LG Korea, Meunil China, McDonalds Australia, MUFG Japan, Nikon Hong Kong, Nokia China, Orange Moblie Slovakia, Philips Netherlands, Proctor & Gamble USA, Chery Riich China, Rimowa Germany, Samsung Korea, Sinoland Hong Kong, Skipper Italy, Smirnoff USA, Sony United Arab Emirates, Stella Russia, Telefonica Spain, Vidal Sassoon China, Virgin Media UK, and much more.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Japan, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
