Top 10 locations from series and films about Japan in 2025
- Published on : 30/12/2025
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
Netflix catalog
@Netflix Japan
The year 2025 is drawing to a close, having brought us its share of cinematic nuggets. Whether in the form of series, films or anime, Japan has been worthily represented once again this year! To get 2026 off to the best possible start, Japan Experience takes you on a tour of 10 places in Japan that shone in 2025.
1. Tenryu-ji temple (Kyoto) - Last Samurai Standing (Netflix)
The Tenryu-ji temple in Kyoto begins the story of Last Samurai Standing, a historical series available on Netflix since November 2025. In the late 19th century, when the samurai class was marginalized, we follow the adventures of war veteran Shujiro Saga, who takes part in a deadly game to try and support his family.
Founded in the 15th century, Tenryu-ji temple, located in the Arashiyama district is a Zen temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prized for its traditional gardens and view of the Arashiyama bamboo forest, it serves as a symbolic starting point for the series' competition.
Tenryu-ji (Kyoto)
@Wikimedia, royalty-free
2. Minato district (Tokyo) - Bloom (Netflix)
This romantic Netflix anime adapted from a manga follows the daily lives of two high school students: one at Chidori public high school, the other at Kikyo private high school for girls, in the Minato district. The latter is portrayed realistically, with its lively streets, small shops and cozy cafés.
In reality, Minato is a central district of Tokyo a mix of residential and business districts, famous for being home to such neighborhoods as Roppongi and Odaiba. This dynamic mix is perfectly represented in the anime, adding charm to the story.
Everyday life in Roppongi (Tokyo)
@Rachel Dale on Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Are you a fan of Japanese pop culture? We've got the activities for you!
3. Alice in Borderland (Season 3, Netflix)
The sequel to Netflix's dystopian thriller has once again depicted an unsettling Japan, using the archipelago as its playground. Here are some of the locations that inspired the film crew:
- Shibuya Crossing (Tokyo): Japan's most famous intersection is depicted as an empty place, emblematic of the series' post-apocalyptic ambience. But make no mistake, this never happens in real life!
- Ashikaga Scramble City Studio (Tochigi): This outdoor studio was used to reproduce some of the scenes scheduled to take place at Shibuya Crossing. When we said we couldn't empty it completely of pedestrians!
- Sakuya Konohana Kan (Osaka): This large botanical greenhouse was used as a plant backdrop for some of the games in the series.
- Hotels and Resort (Shiga/Wakayama): Scenes in the refuge area, known as the "Beach", were inspired by several hotels and resorts in Shiga and Wakayama prefectures, including the Royal Oak Hotel in Otsu and the Nanki Shirahama Resort Hotel in Wakayama.
- Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo): This iconic bridge over Tokyo Bay features in several key scenes in the series.
Shibuya crossing
@Unsplash
For easy travel across Japan in the footsteps of Alice in Borderland, consider the JR Pass!
The Japan Rail Pass or JR Pass is a single pass giving unlimited access to the JR (Japan Railways) network in Japan for 7, 14 or 21 days. It's the most economical and by far the most practical option for those wishing to travel by train in Japan.
Shinkansen
@Unsplash
4. Kokuho (The Kabuki Master)
This acclaimed historical drama explores the tradition of kabuki. It follows the careers of two men over several decades, from their apprenticeship to Japan's most prestigious stages, exploring in turn their scandals and successes. While the film was shot in several cities around the country, to showcase Kabuki's most emblematic locations, we'll retain two major scenes in our selection:
The film takes place mainly in the traditional world of kabuki, including :
- Yabuki Residence (Okayama)
The real-life Yabuki Residence building, located in the prefecture of okayama the real-life Yabuki Residence building, located in Okayama prefecture, was used as a location to represent the home and training hall of the Hanai family, the film's prestigious line of kabuki actors. This is a traditional wooden residence from the Edo period, whose authentic architecture reinforces the enigmatic atmosphere shown on screen.
- Biwako Otsukan (Shiga)
The Biwako Otsukan complex, formerly the Biwako Hotel main building, on the shores of Lake Biwa, appears as the "Hinomotoza" kabuki theater in the film, where some of the show scenes were filmed. We love its architectural style, emblematic of the great kabuki halls that populate the archipelago.
Kokuho (Netflix)
@Netflix Japan
5. Shizuoka City - 10Dance (Netflix)
Adapted from the boys' love manga 10Dance, this Netflix film has been one of the most-viewed non-English films on the platform since its release! It follows the complex relationship between two professional dancers with very different styles: Shinya Suzuki, Latin dance champion, and Shinya Sugiki, ballroom grandmaster.
A large part of the filming took place in Shizuoka, including some of the dance competition scenes, which were filmed in the city's public spaces, such as the Shizuoka Convention Arts Center (Granship).
Shizuoka
@Huu Huynh on pexels, royalty-free
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