Location Scouting Services
Find perfect filming locations in Japan for your production needs.
Our Location Scouting Services
Japan offers some of the most visually striking locations in the world, but finding them—and getting permission to film—isn't always straightforward. That's where we come in. Our scouts have spent years mapping out everything from neon-lit Tokyo alleyways to remote mountain temples, and we've built the relationships needed to actually secure these places for production.
We maintain a database of over 5,000 locations across the country, but numbers only tell part of the story. What matters is that our team physically visits and documents each site, noting everything from power availability to the best time of day for natural light. Looking for an authentic ryokan with tatami rooms? A futuristic Osaka streetscape? A quiet bamboo grove in Kyoto? We've got options.
The real challenge with filming in Japan often comes down to access. Property owners here tend to be cautious about productions, and the permit process can feel opaque if you don't know the system. We've been doing this long enough that we know how to navigate these conversations. When a temple says they don't allow filming, we know how to make a case that changes their mind.
Comprehensive Location Scouting Solutions
Expert location scouts with intimate knowledge of Japan's diverse landscapes, urban environments, and cultural sites. Professional location services from initial scouting to production support with permits and logistics coordination.
Urban Locations
- • Modern cityscapes
- • Historic districts
- • Commercial areas
- • Residential neighborhoods
- • Industrial zones
Natural Landscapes
- • Coastal beaches
- • Mountain regions
- • Rice terrace settings
- • Forest locations
- • River systems
Cultural Sites
- • Historic castles
- • Temple architecture
- • Traditional villages
- • Museums
- • Heritage locations
Production Facilities
- • Studio spaces
- • Controlled environments
- • Green screen facilities
- • Equipment storage
- • Crew facilities
How We Work With You
Here's how it works. You describe what you need, we go hunting, and we come back with options that actually make sense for your budget and schedule. No surprises, no last-minute permit disasters.
Requirements Analysis
We begin by determining the specific requirements which you need. We need to understand your project at a detailed level to predict potential issues which will occur in the future. The first discussion serves to stop upcoming issues which otherwise would create major problems.
Research & Reconnaissance
Our scouts head out to evaluate potential sites in person. The team takes photographs of everything while measuring all areas and verifying power availability and measuring background noise levels and determining how to transport personnel and equipment to the site. Nothing beats boots on the ground for this kind of work.
Presentation & Selection
You'll receive a curated set of options for each location need—typically 3-5 sites that we've already confirmed are viable. Each comes with photos, technical specs, cost estimates, and notes on the permit situation. We want you to be able to make decisions quickly and confidently.
Coordination & Securing
The company will execute all delivery operations based on your selection of delivery sites. The process required me to handle property owner negotiations and schedule management and contract administration and permit acquisition. Your production team will be able to concentrate on filming because they will not need to handle administrative work.
One person handles your project from start to finish. When something changes—and it always does—you'll know about it immediately, not when it's too late to adjust.
What Makes Us Different
We've spent years learning Japan's production landscape—which locations work, which don't, and how to get access to the ones that usually say no.
What We've Built
5,000+ Documented Sites
Our location library covers everything from Shibuya crossings to remote mountain shrines. Each entry includes photos, coordinates, access notes, and seasonal info. We built this over many years of actual production work.
Proper Technical Surveys
We don't just take pretty pictures. Can you get a generator in there? Is there parking for base camp? What's the noise situation at 6am? We answer these questions before you waste time on site visits.
Navigating Japanese Permits
Japan's permit system can frustrate even experienced producers. We handle the applications, the agreements, the follow-ups. You shouldn't have to learn Japanese bureaucracy just to shoot a commercial.
Scouting Statistics
Why Choose Fixers in Japan for Location Scouting
Local Expertise
Our scouts are Japanese locals who've worked in the industry for years. They speak the language, understand the culture, and know which doors to knock on. That insider knowledge opens up locations that foreign productions typically can't access.
Complete Documentation
We document everything your production team needs to hit the ground running. The survey provides technical information along with permit status and access guidelines and parking locations and facility details.'s all in one package that your line producer can actually use.
Rapid Response
The production schedule experiences ongoing modifications which affect the entire duration of production operations. When you need new location options fast, we can turn around scouting reports in 48 hours. The system operates as a genuine emergency response system.'ve pulled off same-day alternatives when a location fell through at the last minute.
Cultural Heritage Access
Temples, shrines, castles, UNESCO sites—these places don't typically welcome film crews. But we've built relationships over the years that make these conversations possible. We know how to frame requests in ways that respect Japanese cultural sensibilities.
Location Scouting FAQ
Essential information for planning your location scouting project in Japan.
How long does location scouting take in Japan?
Timelines vary based on what you need. Commercial shoots with a few locations can be scouted in 2-3 days. Feature films usually require 1-2 weeks to properly cover all the scenes. The production of documentaries needs between three days and seven days to complete. If you're in crisis mode, we can deliver emergency options within 24-48 hours, though we prefer more lead time when possible.
What permits are required for filming at Japanese locations?
The system depends on the specific location type it operates within. Local government offices need public areas to provide filming permits to people who want to apply for them. Private property requires owner consent and usually a location agreement. The process of obtaining approval for historical sites and temples and shrines requires additional time. We handle the entire permit process—it's one of the most valuable things we do, honestly.
What are typical location scouting costs in Japan?
The cost for day-rate scouting runs ranges between $300 and $500 based on the location. The total price range for complete packages which offer multiple locations with full documentation services spans from $1,500 to $6,000. The cost of working from a remote location in rural prefectures exceeds standard rates which range from $800 to $2,500 per day. Permit fees vary widely, from $150 for simple locations up to $1,500 for complex heritage sites.
Can you scout locations in remote areas of Japan?
Definitely. Some of our most memorable location finds have been in rural Japan—mountain villages in Nagano, fishing towns along the Sea of Japan coast, rice terraces in Niigata. We cover all 47 prefectures and can arrange the logistics for getting crews and equipment to hard-to-reach spots.
How many location options will we receive?
We aim to present 3-5 solid options per location need. These aren't just random pulls from a database—each one has been physically scouted and vetted for logistics, permits, and budget compatibility. Quality over quantity means you spend less time sorting through options that won't work.
What documentation do you provide for each location?
The location package contains professional photography which shows different views and lighting effects and it includes technical details about power supply and access points and detailed logistics information about parking areas and nearby facilities and complete details about necessary permits and their associated expenses. The system generates floor plans together with camera placement suggestions for sites which have difficult to navigate floor plans.
Ready to Discover Perfect Locations?
Japan has incredible locations waiting to be discovered. Tell us what your project needs, and we'll find the perfect backdrop.