Movie Capitals: On Location In... Tokyo

Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo
Slide Nr 1
For many people around the world, Tokyo is a city they first experienced on the big screen. The sprawling city streets, neon-soaked architecture and unique blend of the traditional with the contemporary have the power to spark the imagination – so much so that you may already be dreaming of a visit to the metropolis. We take a look at the most iconic Tokyo landmarks for discerning movie fans to visit when that dream becomes reality.

By Victoria Luxford

0/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 2
Rainbow Bridge (Kill Bill: Volume 1, 2003) – Tokyo’s eye-catching bridge, illuminated with lights that change colour according to the season or special occasion, is something to behold from afar while taking in the city’s skyline. However, should you find yourself driving on the bridge itself, you may want to play the famous theme from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, which used the bridge for a famous sequence where The Bride (Uma Thurman) trails her first target, O-Ren (Lucy Liu). Even though much of the action was shot in China, Japanese culture heavily influences the first volume of this revenge saga, and this scene strikes at the heart of that inspiration.

1/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 3
Park Hyatt Hotel (Lost in Translation, 2003) – Many cities are home to buildings where fateful movie romances took place: New York’s Empire State Building in Sleepless in Seattle and Heathrow Airport in London for Love Actually, for instance. In Tokyo, it’s the Park Hyatt Hotel, which plays host to the meeting of Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) in the Oscar-winning Lost in Translation. We can’t guarantee the whirlwind experience they had, but the bar does boast excellent views of the city, as well as a wide-ranging cocktail menu. Hopefully your trip will be less fraught than that of director Sofia Coppola, who didn’t know if the famously elusive Murray would make the film until he turned up on set!

2/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 4
Wako Department Store, Ginza (Godzilla, 1954) – Japan has many movie stars, but perhaps no one as iconic as Godzilla. In 65 years, the beast has appeared in 36 movies, including two not-so-beloved American adaptations. However, it all began with this black-and-white smash hit in the mid-1950s. One of the signature moments in the first film is when the title character rips the clock tower from the roof of Wako Department Store in Ginza shopping district. Happily, that was only a prop replica and the art-deco-style store is still standing for fans to visit today – a staple of Japanese commercial life as well as movie history.

3/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 5
Zōjō-ji Temple (The Wolverine, 2013) – This Buddhist temple’s history alone would be reason enough to visit, built over 700 years ago and pleasingly located in the shadow of Tokyo Tower (and thus an excellent photo op). For Marvel lovers, however, there’s an extra incentive to check it out: It was one of the locations for The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s second solo outing as his most famous character. The temple plays host to a pivotal funeral scene that descends into chaos, and is actually one of the few genuine Japanese locations in the movie, much of which was shot in Australia.

4/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 6
Shibuya Scramble Crossing (Furious 7, 2015) – Admittedly, the famous Shibuya Crossing could be associated with a number of big movies set in Tokyo. It’s one of those iconic sights you’ve probably seen before, when the city – or Japan itself – is represented on film: the vast, multidirectional crossing that seems to embody the gloriously chaotic nature of Tokyo life. The metropolis plays a part in two films from the Fast & Furious franchise; the third movie (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) is set in Tokyo, and the seventh and highest-grossing instalment to date, Furious 7, also sees Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) come to the city, with an establishing shot of the famous crossing.

5/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 7
Womb Nightclub (Babel, 2006) – Playing host to such luminaries as Paul Oakenfold and Steve Aoki, Womb is already a noted hotspot for nightclub aficionados. It offers an incomparable mixture of music and visual spectacle, with glass walls and a giant mirror ball. You can tread in the footsteps of a movie character, too, as the club featured prominently in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning drama Babel, during the segment following disillusioned teen Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi). The four-storey club celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year, meaning there will no doubt be some memorable nights for those who can find their way through its doors!

6/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 8
Hotel New Otani (You Only Live Twice, 1967) – 007 often appears in our guides, both because of the globe-trotting nature of the series, and because he’s a character we imagine many fans would love to emulate – even if only through travel. Sean Connery, considered by many to be the greatest Bond, visited Tokyo in the fifth Bond adventure, where the Hotel New Otani ‘played’ the role of the Osato Chemicals building and a front for Blofeld’s organisation SPECTRE. Bond is not the only famous visitor, however, as the hotel has welcomed many heads of state in its nearly six decades of existence.

7/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 9
Sayama Hills (My Neighbour Totoro, 1988) – One of the signature movies of the beloved Studio Ghibli, My Neighbour Totoro‘s story of young sisters who meet a forest spirit was inspired by these hills just outside of Tokyo. A walk through the tranquil, picturesque surroundings will invoke the sense of magic and wonder that the film inspired. However, there’s a star encounter waiting for you as well! Nearby is Kurosuke House, an over 100-year-old building bought by foundation Totoro Fund to help showcase the work they do for nature initiatives. It’s not as comprehensive as the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, but it does feature a life-sized Totoro to take pictures with (and possibly cuddle!).

8/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 10
Sakurabashi Bridge (Kikujiro, 1999) – This heart-rending drama won over audiences thanks to the powerful performance of director-star Takeshi Kitano, playing a gambler who agrees to help his nephew find his long-lost mother. The film begins and ends on the Sakurabashi Bridge, an eye-catching structure that stretches over the Sumida River to connect both sides of Sumida Park. It’s a memorable trip for anyone looking for a less tourist-centred aspect of Tokyo, and can often be found on guides that offer a different side to the well-known city.

9/10
Culture
Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo.
Slide Nr 11
Hachijō-kojima Island (Battle Royale, 2000) – While this deserted island is just under 320km (200 miles) south of Tokyo, it’s still technically part of Tokyo, so we’re counting it! Hachijō-kojima provided locations for the controversial action/satire Battle Royale, about a class of schoolchildren who are sent to the island to engage in a brutal game where only one can survive. The area is more popular with scuba divers than movie buffs, but if you’re a devoted fan of the influential film, it may be worth the long boat journey to see it.

10/10
Editor's Choice
24 Hours In… Tokyo
Pack your bags and empty your belly – we’re going to Tokyo with foodie extraordinaire Yukari Sakamoto. She talks markets, ramen and peaceful escapes in this Tokyo city guide

Movie Capitals: On Location In... Sydney
The capital of New South Wales is famous for many reasons, but did you know it’s also a Hollywood hit factory? We look at Sydney's top filming locations

No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Show Me The World: TV’s 14 Greatest Globetrotters

If hopping on a plane isn’t an option, then armchair travel it is. With their wit, intelligence and electric personalities, these TV travel presenters bring the world to you

The Best Holiday Movie Getaways

Take your festivities on the road: from castles to pubs and department stores, these iconic locations from your favourite Christmas flicks are places you can actually visit

Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals

Jolly, benevolent, kind-hearted and sometimes a little bit naughty, these iconic Christmas movie Santas brought the magic of the holiday season to the silver screen

TV Capitals: On Location In… New York City

Looking to immerse yourself in TV history and visit real-life locations from your favourite shows? Head for the most-filmed city in the world: New York

Films For The Ages: 15 All-Time Family Classics

Whether they teach us about friendship, kindness and community, or simply offer a wild ride, we put forth our picks of the family-friendly movies that have never gotten old

Hollywood’s 10 Best Broadway Adaptations

Musical films may be having a moment right now, but these stage-to-cinema adaptations are the golden standard on the silver screen

Shades Of Fear: The 13 Movie Classics That Redefined Horror

This spooky season, look to the classics for your thrills and chills: we present our list of the best horror films ever made

11 Incredible Art Exhibitions To Catch Now

From captivating retrospectives to celebrations of spectacular creativity, these art exhibitions deserve a spot on your cultural bucket list for the coming months

15 Page-Turning Books Destined For Film

From fantasy to romance and Oscar-worthy drama, these are the bestselling books and underrated titles you should read right now – before they hit the big screen

15 Movies For Cosy Autumn Vibes

From the snuggly to the spooky and the beautifully atmospheric, these are the best films to curl up with this season

Quality Comedy: The 15 Funniest TV Shows Of All Time

If laughter is the best medicine, then these TV shows – both new and old – will cure whatever ails you

5 Minutes With… Author Azar Nafisi

Azar Nafisi, the multi-award-winning author of ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’, has plenty to say about storytelling and imagination, as well as the dangers of today

Culture

Movie Capitals: On Location In… Tokyo

0/10

Culture