How Shōgun and Tokyo Vice Put Japan’s Temples and Neon Streets on Travel Radars
When Hollywood shoots in Japan, the country itself becomes a supporting character. In August 2026, the Motion Picture Association's The Credits published a discussion with Shōgun star Takehiro Hira and Tokyo Vice producer Alex Boden that described Japan as "fast becoming one of Asia's most attractive filming destinations." The Hollywood Reporter, in its 2026 Travel Issue, put a number on the set-jetting impulse that such visuals can inspire. Here is how those two pieces connect for anyone considering a Japan trip.
What Shōgun and Tokyo Vice Filmed in Japan
The Credits conversation credited international productions including Tokyo Vice and Shōgun with using Japan's real temples, snowy peaks, and neon streets on screen. Alex Boden, producer of Tokyo Vice, and Takehiro Hira, star of Shōgun, discussed how generous production incentives, world-class crews, and an extraordinary range of locations attract film and television projects. The article does not list specific onsen, forest-bathing sites, or temple-stay programs; it highlights the visual palette that makes Japan a distinct backlot.
Set-Jetting by the Numbers
The Hollywood Reporter's 2026 Travel Issue reports that Expedia projects set-jetting will become a potential $8 billion industry in the United States. The same article says 81 percent of Gen Z and millennial travelers plan trips based on what they have seen onscreen, and 53 percent of travelers say their desire to take a set-jetting trip has increased. Cathy Whitlock, author of On Location: Cinematic Journeys to the World's Most Iconic Film Locales, explains: "People want to step inside the story. Film and television don't simply showcase locations — they mythologize them." Nicky Kelvin of The Points Guy adds that travelers are "chasing stories and feelings," which makes destinations feel more real and accessible. These figures describe set-jetting broadly, not one country.
Onsen, Forest Bathing, and Temple Stays
Neither the production discussion nor the set-jetting statistics name specific onsen hot-spring towns, forest-bathing trails, or temple-stay programs. What the production coverage does show is a Japan of temples, mountains, and neon-lit streets, which travelers may want to match with nearby wellness offerings. If you are building a set-jetting itinerary around those visuals, your next step is to identify the regions shown on screen and then research local onsen facilities and forested walking routes independently. The source material does not provide that matching for you.
Timing Your Budget Around the Dollar-Yen Rate
A set-jetting trip to Japan is also a currency decision. The read-only dollar-yen board at Rousokuashi.com lists the daily ECB reference rate for USD/JPY. On November 9, 2026, that rate was 157.95 yen per US dollar, a change of -0.38 yen, or -0.24 percent, from the previous publication day. The board also lists upcoming high-importance economic events for the dollar-yen pair, including the US consumer price index, Japan's nationwide consumer price index, US employment statistics, and FOMC policy announcements. Checking the calendar before booking can help you choose travel dates when the dollar buys more yen, which may stretch your budget across train passes, accommodation, and admission fees.
Planning a Japan Set-Jetting Itinerary
To turn what you saw on Shōgun or Tokyo Vice into a concrete travel plan, start with the regions shown in the productions, then look for local lodging and wellness options in those areas. The Hollywood Reporter's set-jetting framework suggests that destinations become more attractive when they appear in a story, but the responsibility for matching a temple, mountain, or neon street to a specific onsen or forest-bathing route remains with the planner. Compare dollar-yen levels around the economic calendar events that matter most before booking flights and stays. That approach lets the screen inspire the destination without overcommitting to a single currency moment.