Do you need a permit to film or photograph in Japan?
Film commissions
Japan Film Commission
The national film commission and first contact for filming in Japan: a non-profit network of more than 130 regional film commissions, based in Tokyo.
Sources: Japan Film Commission: purpose · AFCI: Japan Film Commission
Rules
Location filming usually runs through the local film commission, part of the nationwide Japan Film Commission network.
Sources: Eiwa Media: filming permits in Japan
More for Japan: Getting paid · Drone rules
Filming & photo permits in other countries: United States · United Kingdom · France · Germany · United Arab Emirates · Saudi Arabia · Nigeria · Ghana · Kenya · South Africa · Jamaica · South Korea · India · China · Thailand · Malaysia · Portugal · Estonia · Canada · Australia
Last verified October 6, 2026 by Terrell Groggins. Rules change: check the official source before you shoot or post. This is not legal advice.