12 Epic Travel Destinations for Fans of Fantasy and Science Fiction
6. Japan: Tokyo’s Cyberpunk and Sci-Fi Filming Locations
Tokyo has long been a cinematic playground for science fiction, inspiring and hosting some of the genre’s most futuristic and cyberpunk visions. From neon-drenched cityscapes to ultra-modern architecture, Tokyo is both a real-world metropolis and a setting straight out of a sci-fi epic. One of the most famous Tokyo-based films, Ridley Scott’s Black Rain (1989), showcases the city’s rain-soaked streets, glowing billboards, and bustling alleys, setting the tone for the cyberpunk aesthetic that influenced Blade Runner. Another staple, Sofia Coppola’s *Lost in Translation (2003), uses the hypnotic skyline of Shinjuku and Shibuya to highlight the disconnection and surrealism of modern urban life. Tokyo's futuristic vibe is best captured in films like The Wolverine (2013), which features high-speed action across Shinjuku rooftops, and Godzilla (1954 - Present), where the city is repeatedly transformed into a battleground for kaiju destruction. Visitors can explore Tokyo Tower, featured in countless sci-fi and anime productions, or Odaiba’s TeamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art museum that feels straight out of a futuristic dream.
