25+ BEST Tokyo Filming Locations to Visit!

Looking to visit some of the famous Tokyo filming locations? Want to see some of your favourite scenes in real life? This article lists some of the best places to visit in Tokyo for film lovers including directions and a map!

From the crazy driving scenes of The Fast and the Furious to the tranquil hotel of Lost in Translation and plenty more, I’ve got them here.

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While researching what was filmed in Tokyo, I was surprised to discover that not that many “western” TV shows or movies used Tokyo as a filming location. Of course, I found a few spots which I’ll share below including the Kill Bill restaurant Tokyo, the Godzilla head, the Lost in Translation hotel and where Anthony Bourdain ate in Tokyo.

Where to Stay in Tokyo?

Some main Tokyo filming locations that were used in lots of movies include Yasukuni Dori in Shinjkuku, Shibuya Crossing, Rainbow Bridge and Omoide Yokocho. Therefore, I’d focus your attention on Shibuya and Shinjuku.

I stayed in WPU Shinjuku and highly recommend this hotel for its spacious rooms, friendly staff and excellent location in Tokyo by walking and access to public transport! You can see many of the film locations easily by staying in this Tokyo accommodation as well as all the wonderful sights of the city.

Where to Find Filming Locations in Tokyo

Each heading is the movie followed by where to visit in Tokyo for filming locations. Scroll down for a map of all listed filming locations Tokyo has to offer.

If you’re wondering, what famous movies were filmed in Tokyo: Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003) , Lost in Translation (2003), Godzilla, The Grudge (2004), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) and The Wolverine (2013) are the top choices.

If you’re looking for what TV shows were filmed in Tokyo: Anthony Bourdain No Reservations and Parts Unknown.

1) Kill Bill Tokyo Filming Locations

There’s not a huge amount of scenes that were filmed in Japan. In fact, there’s only two (and sadly this doesn’t include the Kill Bill restaurant, House of Blue Leaves)

• Rainbow Bridge (the Bride rides over)
• Yasukuni Don in Shinjuku district (the Bride rides through)
• Gonpachi Nishiazabu (Tokyo Kill Bill restaurant)

Where is the Kill Bill restaurant in Tokyo? The famous fight scene wasn’t actually filmed in Japan but in a studio. However, Gonpachi is the Kill Bill Tokyo restaurant that inspired the movie and when you visit you can see the resemblance (and all the merchandise/posters)!

To get to the Kill Bill restaurant Tokyo, Gonpachi is located in Minato City so take the subway to Nogizaka station via the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line.

2) Where Was Lost in Translation Filmed in Tokyo?

Lost in Translation is a romance film set and filmed entirely in Japan so there’s lots of locations to visit in the capital! Some of them include:

• Yasukuni Dori in Shinjuku (when Bob arrives)
• Joganji temple in Nakano (where Charlotte visits)
• Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya)
• Air nightclub in Daikanyama (where they party and socialise)
• Rainbow Bridge (their taxi ride home after karaoke)
• Ichikan in Shibuya (where they share sushi)
• Shabu-Zen at Shibuya Creston Hotel (another dinner location)

Where was the karaoke scene in Lost in Translation filmed: Karaoke-kan is a karaoke chain and the one used for the movie was filmed in Shibuya.

Can tourists visit the hotel from Lost in Translation? Even better, you can stay there! The Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku is where our protagonist stays and at the top of the building is the New York Grill where he meets Charlotte.

3) Where was Godzilla filmed in Tokyo?

In the 1954 movie, the radioactive lizard reins hell on Tokyo and rips apart some of the city landmarks like Ginza, Shinagawa train station, the Nichigeki Theatre and the diet building in Akasaka. Along the way he tears down some bridges too (including the Sukiya bridge which is no longer there).

Where are the real-life Godzilla filming locations in Tokyo? The real-life Godzilla filming locations that are still there today include:

• Shinagawa train station
• Wako Department Store (Ginza)
• Matsuzakaya Department Store (Ginza)
• Tokyo Marion Building (was Nichigeki Theatre in Chiyoda)
• National Diet Building (Chiyoda)
• Kachidoki Bridge (Chuo)

If you’re a Godzilla fan in Tokyo, you have to visit the Godzilla shop, the Godzilla head/hotel and the Godzilla Hibiya statue.

• The Godzilla shop is located in the Shibuya Parco shopping complex. To get there, find one of the escalators and go to the sixth floor. The floor is also home to capcom, pokemon, nintendo and sega.
• Where is the Godzilla Hotel in Tokyo? It’s called The Hotel Gracery and you can stay here during your trip. I highly recommend the area as the hotel is in Shinjuku and is an excellent base for your Tokyo trip. Inside the hotel there are lots of Godzilla themes like drinks, bedding and other surprises for the franchise fans.
• The Godzilla statue is located on Hibiya Godzilla Square in Chiyoda. It features the largest statue of Godzilla in Japan. To get there, locate Hibiya station and use your maps to walk to the square.

4) What are the Filming Locations for The Grudge (2004)?

The Grudge is an American remake of the Japanese horror film Ju-on. Most of the Tokyo The Grudge filming locations are still there and you can visit some of the famous ones.

• Yanagi Bridge in Taito (opening scene)
• Yoyogi Cemetery in Shibuya (Karen walks on the way to Uni)
• Fungo Dining in Shinjuku (where Doug works)
• Street leading to The Grudge house is near Minami Shinjuku Station

Where is the house from The Grudge? It was recreated in the studio for the American film but the Japanese original house address is: 15-15 Higashicho, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1116.

If You Like Horror: Prague Horror Bar | Harry Potter Graveyard | Dracula’s Castle

5) The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Tokyo Drift filming locations are limited as the majority was filmed in the studio in LA.

So where was Tokyo Drift actually filmed?

• Shibuya Crossing (right after arrival in the taxi and later on foot)
• Chuo-dori Avenue in Ginza (during the taxi ride)
• Futsal Park Shibuya (rooftop view)
• Takeshita Dori in Harajuku (where Sean walks with Bow Wow)
• Yasukuni Dori in Shinjuku (again)

If you love Tokyo Drift or cars in general, try this Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift Experience to drive fast cars through the streets of Tokyo and see some of the famous Tokyo sights!

6) Where was Inception filmed in Tokyo?

Given that Inception is a chaotic film that jumps between many locations, there’s times when the protagonist, Cobb, ‘wakes up’ in places. Mainly, Inception was filmed in Paris, LA, Kananaskis and London but the only time in Japan is on a bullet train aka the Shinkansen. If you’re travelling within Japan, you’ll likely use the Shinkansen (highly recommend).

Read Next: Paris Filming Locations

7) What Tokyo Locations Inspired Blade Runner?

This one’s not an actual filming location in Tokyo but the city heavily inspired the movie scenes. Fans have said when they’re in Tokyo they feel like they’re in Blade Runner!

The inspiration for the film comes from the Shinjuku area. Take the subway to Shinjuku station and walk around the area at night for the blinding neon lights, the plastic umbrellas walking in sync over the crossings, the enchanting smells of street food and enjoy the enthral of the district.

Specifically, visit Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, also known as ‘Memory Lane’ or ‘Piss Alley’ for a Blade Runner feel. It’s old Tokyo, crowded, lit by lanterns and serves delicious food at the many izakayas.

Read Next: Porto, the Inspirational City for Harry Potter

8) Where was The Wolverine filmed in Tokyo?

Being set in Japan, you’d think there would be loads of Tokyo filming locations for The Wolverine but there’s actually only a few as the majority was filmed in Australia. Which makes it easier for you to visit!

The only The Wolverine location in Tokyo is the Zojo-ji temple for the funeral scene (located in Minato). To get there, head to Shibakoen Station by subway and use maps to walk to the temple.

9) What Tokyo Locations did Anthony Bourdain Visit?

Bourdain filmed in Tokyo many times. He proclaimed that if he could only eat in one city, it would be Tokyo!

• No Reservations for Season 4, Episode 16 and Season 8, Episode 5.
• Parts Unknown for Season 2, Episode 7 and Season 8, Episode 6.

Where did Anthony Bourdain film No Reservations in Tokyo? The first episode sees Tony visit Sarashina Horii, Bar Ishinohana, xex morimoto and Bar Piano. The second episode Tony visits Hachi, Yakitori Ton Ton and Lawsons convenience store. The other restaurants he visited are now closed so I’ve not listed them.

What Tokyo locations appeared in Parts Unknown? Tony visits New York Grill (also a location for Lost in Translation), Bar Albatross, Daitoryo, Mienoumi, Mahakala, and Ginza Sushi Ko Honten.

For a real taste of Tokyo, book onto a walking food tour of foodie hotspots like Shinjuku, Shibuya or Tsukiji Fish Market.

Map of Famous Movie Locations in Tokyo

What is the easiest way to get between the movie locations? Use the Tokyo metro and follow this map of filming locations Tokyo:

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy visiting Tokyo through the lens of these movies and Anthony Bourdain filming in Tokyo.

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