Recently updated on February 24th, 2025 at 01:19 pm
If you’re a fan of historical dramas, then you can’t miss the sweeping visuals and intricate storytelling of Shōgun. Based on James Clavell’s bestselling novel from 1975, the 10-part series is a gripping tale of cultural clash, survival, and political intrigue set in the tumultuous world of 17th-century Japan. This was a turbulent time in Japan’s history, and this fictitious tale reignites interest in the past while showing off some stunning locations. But where exactly was Shōgun filmed? Let’s dive into the top Shōgun filming locations – and the story behind why the series wasn’t actually filmed in Japan.
Why wasn’t Shōgun filmed in Japan?
So why was a show about Japan not filmed in Japan!? Well, it was meant to be shot in Japan – but then the pandemic hit, pulling the handbrake on all film production worldwide. Besides the logistical and financial constraints, a producer said that recreating 17th-century Japan in modern-day Japan posed many challenges.
Instead, the production team scouted alternate locations where they could take viewers back in time 300 years to really capture the atmosphere of feudal Japan. They found ideal settings in other parts of the world – such as Canada and the United Kingdom.
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Where was the Shōgun series filmed?
The 2023 Shōgun series, starring Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne, and Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko, used a combination of locations across Canada and the UK to recreate feudal Japan.
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
One of the primary filming locations for Shōgun was the beautiful coastal town of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island. Known for its rugged natural beauty, the Ucluelet coastline and forest trails provided the perfect backdrop for many outdoor scenes.
“We wanted to open the show with the beautiful scenery of the Wya Point Beach in Ucluelet. It’s a very beautiful place,” Producer Erin Smith said in an interview with Vancouver’s CTV News. “We have a lot of cast and crew from Japan that were quite fascinated and blown away by the resemblance of that spot to Japan.”
The dramatic cliffs and dense forests of Ucluelet helped transport viewers to 1600s Japan. Key scenes, including John Blackthorne’s initial arrival in Japan, were shot near Amphitrite Point Lighthouse and the Wild Pacific Trail. The cast and crew transformed the location to resemble the untamed shores.
Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
Port Moody, another location in British Columbia, was a versatile spot for many scenes. The production team used the calm waters and verdant nature to depict the serenity and natural beauty of Japan during the Edo period. Here the crew from Japan collaborating closely with local experts to bring authenticity to the setting.
United Kingdom
A handful of interior scenes and controlled shoots were filmed in the United Kingdom. A combo of historic architecture and state-of-the-art studios were ideal for creating period-specific interiors, from Toranaga’s court to Blackthorne’s evolving surroundings. By blending these locations with on-location filming in Canada, the producers maintained the grandeur and realism demanded by James Clavell’s original story.
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Is Shōgun based on a true story?
Yes, Shōgun is inspired by real-life events – though it is a fictional story. James Clavell’s novel draws loosely from the life of William Adams, an English navigator who became one of the first Western samurai in Japan. While characters like John Blackthorne and Lord Yoshii Toranaga are fictional, they are based on historical figures. This blend of fact and fiction makes the story so compelling.
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So that’s the list of Shōgun filming locations. Have you seen the series? Tell us what you thought in the comments…