Filming in Tōhoku Region

Tohoku, in northeastern Honshu, is defined by wild coastlines, forested mountains, and traditional rural communities, offering filmmakers serene, unspoiled landscapes away from tourist crowds. Hiraizumi’s UNESCO-listed temples sit among ponds and maples, Ginzan Onsen’s gas-lit streets evoke a timeless atmosphere, and the Oga Peninsula’s cliffs and Namahage folklore add dramatic intensity. Matsushima Bay, with its pine-covered islets, provides ethereal seascapes, while the shifting colors of the Goshikinuma lakes bring a mystical quality that transforms with the seasons.

Night scene of a bustling traditional Japanese-style shopping street with illuminated buildings and people walking around.
Colorful illuminated paper lanterns depicting a fierce tiger and dragon facing each other at night, with Japanese text on a yellow paper lantern in the foreground.
A scenic view of a traditional Japanese village with thatched roofs, surrounded by lush green mountains and a cloudy sky.

Tohoku is well suited to period pieces, folklore-inspired stories, travel and culinary documentaries, and contemplative dramas. Its temples and shrines provide authenticity for historical narratives, while rugged landscapes enhance survival tales and coming-of-age journeys. The region’s relative remoteness allows crews to operate with minimal disruption, and its communities are notably welcoming to film participation.

A person standing on a wooden dock holding a traditional paper parasol behind a vibrant red maple tree, with boats on a calm, blue water body in the background.
Colorful caldera with a green lake in the crater, surrounded by multicolored volcanic hills and clouds in the sky.
Snow-covered trees on a mountain slope under a cloudy sky.

BARAMON manages Tohoku productions by arranging transport across mountainous terrain, securing permits for cultural and religious sites, and engaging local guides versed in regional dialects and customs. We provide guidance on seasonal weather, oversee catering in remote areas, and ensure that filming respects local traditions. Our co-founder, Hisanori Tamura, was recognized by Hankook Ilbo/The Korea Times in 2016 as Best Fixer for coverage of the Fukushima and Chernobyl anniversaries, and later contributed to the BAFTA-nominated documentary Against the Tides (2019), partially filmed at Cape Tappi in Aomori.