Ibaraki on the Screen

Carly Bode, International Affairs Division

You may not have realized, but Ibaraki's proximity to Tōkyō and its interesting nature and architecture have made it a very popular location for filming movies, TV shows and advertising, by both domestic and international directors.

There is even a special department in the Prefectural Office called the "Ibaraki Film Commission" to handle any requests to film in the prefecture. They can support film makers by helping chose filming locations, obtain permits, look after accommodation of actors, handle recruitment of extras, and distribute information to locals.

You can apply to work as an extra through the Commissions website. Check their "News" Section for more details.

You may have heard of some recently filmed shows and movies. A few of them are explained below. Check out the Commission's website for a more detailed list. You might find out that your home town is famous! Support Ibaraki by watching them!

The Family (華麗なる一族) (goo(external link))

This TBS drama starring Takuya Kimura from SMAP began on January 14th, and screens weekly from 9 p.m. A rice field in central Itako was used in filming, and can be seen in the 3rd episode on January 28th 2007. The scene, showing the bank manager falling over in the muddy rice field, was filmed in September last year.
http://www.tbs.co.jp/karei2007/(external link)

NHK Period Drama "Fūrin Volcano" (風林火山) (goo(external link))

This drama, set in Japan's Warring States period and depicting the story of Kansuke Yamamoto, was filmed partly at Warp Station Edo in Tsukuba-Mirai and the Sakano Homestead in Jōsō in September 2006. It can be seen on NHK from Jaunary 7th 2007, and screens weekly from 8 p.m.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/taiga/(external link)

Tōkyō Tower—Mum, Me and Sometimes Dad (東京タワー〜オカンとボクと，時々，オトン〜) (goo(external link))

This best selling book written by Lilly Franky has been made into a drama by Fuji TV. It screen weekly on Mondays from 9 p.m. starting from January 8th 2007. The Ibaraki scenes were filmed in Kita-Ibaraki in December 2006 and depict the main character's younger years in a mining town in Fukuoka. Many local folk were used as extras and they had to learn the local Fukuokan dialect.
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/tokyotower/index2.html(external link)

NANA2 (goo(external link))

This is the second part of the movie adaptation of the famous comic book NANA by Aihara Yazawa. The scene that shows the entrance to Nana's elegant apartment was filmed at the West entrance to the Old Prefectural Office in Mito. Apparently it took all day to set up the scene with a new apartment name, letter box, lighting and a fire truck to simulate rain.

This movie opened on December 9th 2006 and can be seen at all leading theaters.
http://www.nana2-movie.com/(external link)

Parts of a Warrior (武士の一分) (goo(external link))

This period movie starring SMAP's Takuya Kimura was filmed at a number of locations around Ibaraki including Warp Station Edo and Sashino Shrine in Kasama. The scenes were filmed in cold February 2006 over 3 days.

It opened in theaters around Japan in December 2006.

Some well known movies shot in Ibaraki during 2006 that you might be able to find at your local video store include:

Babel (バベル) (goo(external link))
A Hollywood movie starring Brad Pitt! Parts of the Tōkyō scenes were filmed at the Ishioka City Gymnasium

The Passenger (IMDB(external link))
This French movie used a number of locations around Ibaraki including buildings and parks in Kashima, Kamisu, and Jōsō

Night Picnic (夜のピクニック) (goo(external link))
Based in Ibaraki and filmed in Mito, Kashima, Hitachi-Naka, Tōkai, Naka, Ibaraki-Machi, etc.

Sukeban Detective: Codename Saki Asamiya (スケバン刑事 コードネーム＝麻宮サキ) (goo(external link))
Filmed at the Prefectural Medical University in Ami and at a factory in Takahagi

Tail of a Hernia (ベルナのしっぽ) (goo(external link))
Filmed at Mitsukaidō Primary School and Mitsukaidō Station

Lost Property (オトシモノ) (goo(external link))
Filmed at Jōsō City Welfare Center, Citizens' Hall and railway shunting yard

Hula Girls (フラガール) (goo(external link))
Filmed at Kami no Yama and Nakago Homesteads in Kita-Ibaraki, Shin-ochiai Bridge in Hitachi-Ōta, Naka-minato Station in Hitachi-naka and a soba shop in Takahagi

Rough (ラフ) (goo(external link))
Filmed at the Kasamatsu Sports Park Indoor Pool

Masked Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト) (goo(external link))
Filmed at a sewer treatment plant in Hitachi-naka

Japan Sinks (日本沈没) (goo(external link))
Filmed at the Cities, Towns, Villages Hall in Mito

The Prince of Tennis (テニスの王子様) (goo(external link))
Filmed at AIST in Tsukuba, Jōsō Welfare Center, and temples in Jōsō

First Love (初恋) (goo(external link))
Filmed on the streets of Kamisu and Itako

Hardiness (不撓不屈) (goo(external link))
Filmed at the Old Prefectural Office in Mito

Prefectural Star (県庁の星) (goo(external link))
Filmed at the Prefectural Office in Mito and the Tsukuba International Congress Center

Looking for thumbs (親指さがし) (goo(external link))
Filmed at the Old Livestock Testing Center in Kasama and Old Hachiyo Primary School in Itako

Other movies (before 2006) include:

HANABI
Rodeo Drive
Neighbor No. 13 (隣人13号) (goo(external link))
So What!
Negotiator Beneath Justice (交渉人真下正義) (goo(external link))
Wool 100%
You Have Mail 2 (着信アリ2) (goo(external link))
Yaji and Kita: The Midnight Pilgrims (真夜中の弥次さん喜多さん) (goo(external link))
Shimotsuma Story (下妻物語) (goo(external link))
Godzilla vs. Mech-Godzilla (ゴジラ×メカゴジラ) (goo(external link))
Atsumono (あつもの) (goo(external link))
Hitaochi (半落ち) (goo(external link))
Cold Sleep (コールドスリープ) (goo(external link))
Gun Crazy (ガンクレージー) (goo(external link))
Perfect Breeding (完全なる飼育) (goo(external link))
It's Tough Being a Man (男はつらいよ) (goo(external link))
Pinch runner (ピンチランナー) (goo(external link))
Satorare (サトラレ) (goo(external link))
Battle Royale 2 (バトルロワイアル2) (goo(external link))
Kumainkanaba (クマインカナバー) (goo(external link))
Zebra Man (ゼブラーマン) (goo(external link))
Blood and Bones (血と骨) (goo(external link))
Shortcuts (ショートカッツ) (goo(external link))
Kanaria (カナリア) (goo(external link))
Truck Eagle (デコトラの鷲) (goo(external link))
Keshi (芥子・〜Ke-shi〜) (goo(external link))
Film School (映画美) (goo(external link))
Sasuke Dark Army (猿飛佐助 闇の軍団) (goo(external link))
Oni, Yoidore (鬼，酔いどれ 浪漫譚) (goo(external link))
Zoo〜 Seven Rooms〜
Godzilla Final Wars (ゴジラFinal Wars) (goo(external link))
Shibuya Story (渋谷物語) (goo(external link))
Scrap Heaven (スクラップ・ヘブン) (goo(external link))
Death Maiden (死の乙女) (goo(external link))
Adan (アダン〜孤高の日本画家田中一村) (goo(external link))
Caught in the Melon Fields (メロン畑でつかまえて) (goo(external link))
Tōkyō Zombie (東京ゾンビ) (goo(external link))
Swirling Fire (鳶がクルリと) (goo(external link))
Scamper (疾走) (goo(external link))
Lovers' Suicide Elegy (心中エレジー) (goo(external link))
Pochi's Confession (ポチの告白) (goo(external link))
Curse (ノロイ) (goo(external link))
Wolf Girl (狼少女) (goo(external link))
Play (プレイ) (goo(external link))
Spirit Vision (霊視) (goo(external link))
Love Suicide at Amijima (心中天の綱島) (goo(external link))
Water Flowers (水の花) (goo(external link))
Comb Whistle (櫛笛) (goo(external link))

Ibaraki Film Commission
Address: 978-6 Kasahara-chō, Mito
Phone: 029-301-2528
Fax: 029-301-2738
Email: ibaraki.fc@pref.ibaraki.lg.jp