Where was Shogun filmed?

The critically acclaimed show Shogun was filmed in Canada, England, and Japan.

Shogun is a historical American television show created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks. It is a 10-episode series that aired on FX in 2024. It is based on a novel of the same name written by James Clavell in 1980. The novel was first adapted into a 1980 miniseries by the same name, Shogun. The cast of the show includes Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, Tommy Bastow, etc.

Since the show has a majority Japanese cast, the dialogues are majorly in Japanese. The show was supposed to be a miniseries, but after the release of two episodes, it gained immense popularity. After the success of the first season, the makers of Shogun announced two additional seasons. The show received praise for its direction, cinematography, and performances.

Shogun became the first Japanese language show and the second non-English show to win a Primetime Emmy award. The series won under 18 categories at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Where was Shogun filmed?

Filming historical shows is hard because of the need for accuracy. The production of this show was praised for recreating accurate visuals of feudal Japan. Shogun is based in 17th-century Japan, so it was necessary for the creators of the show to film in locations that could realistically showcase the visuals and environment of that era. Check out the various locations where Shogun was filmed:

JAPAN

Initially, the show was supposed to be filmed in Japan, but it was delayed due to COVID-19. Although a large part of the show was filmed outside Japan, the establishing shots were filmed in Japan. The show was filmed at symbolic places like Tokyo, Nara, and Kyoto. The castles, lush forests, temples, samurai castles, etc provided the show with authentic visuals that transported the audiences to that era. Though the majority of the episodes don't feature scenes from Japan, these establishing shots bring authenticity.

ENGLAND

The story of the show travels back and forth between Japan and Europe. The scene where Lord Yoshii Toranaga rides a horse by fire was filmed in London. Just like in Japan, not much has been shot in England. Only one scene has been shot in London, which features the actor and producer of the show, Hiroyuki Sanada. The decision to film this one scene helped the network retain the rights to the show and allowed the production to keep development rights until they were ready to resume work.

CANADA

The majority of the shooting took place in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver has been the top choice amongst many big production houses for filming due to its wide range of backdrops from dense forests to dramatic coastlines. One of the actors and producers of the show, Hiroyuki Sanada, praised Vancouver for its big studios and scenic outdoor locations, making it a perfect place for shooting. They used studios to build the set to replicate 17th-century Japan. Vancouver's wide range of landscapes helped in recreating the backdrop for feudal Japan. For the outdoor locations, they filmed in multiple places across Canada like Port Moody, British Columbia, Coquitlam, and Ucluelet.

What is Shogun about?

The show is set in 17th-century Japan. It revolves around the experiences of John Blackthorne, an English sailor who ends up in Japan after a shipwreck. Blackthorne was introduced to Japanese culture which he was unfamiliar with. He realizes that Japan is a land where loyalty, complex politics, and strong rivalry shape their culture. Taking advantage of his English background he ends up becoming a main advisor to Lord Toranaga, a powerful daimyo.

Shogun explores many historical themes in the show. The fight for power between the elite is the base of the show. The story also highlights the journey of Lord Torananga from a samurai to a shogun of Japan. The show is based on James Clavell's novel and some of the characters are inspired by real historical figures. It focuses on the conflict between the Western world and feudal Japan, showcasing the political and cultural differences between the two.