Kyoto: Gintama Live-Action Filming Location – Toei Kyoto Studio Park!

Text & Photos by /MATCHA

Located in Kyoto and officially opened at the end of 1975, Toei Kyoto Studio Park features Edo-period style streets and buildings. It serves as a filming location for period dramas produced by Toei Company. As the filming site for the live-action Gintama movie, this summer the park recreated the famous scene "Yorozuya Office" at its entrance, and even the traditional Japanese tatami room was authentically reproduced!

About Toei Kyoto Studio Park

Officially opened at the end of 1975, Toei Kyoto Studio Park is not only a filming location for Toei’s period dramas but also open to the general public for visits and fun, making it a perfect theme park for all ages to enjoy period drama experiences.

In addition to Edo-period style streets and houses, Toei Kyoto Studio Park also features Meiji-era street scenes and train stations, creating a theme park that makes you feel as though you’ve traveled back in time.

Moreover, the streets and various special sets—such as Japan Bridge, Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarters, and samurai residences—allow visitors to enter many of the buildings to experience historical life firsthand.

A Gintama Exhibition Combining Live-Action and Anime

The 2017 live-action movie adaptation of the popular Weekly Shonen Jump manga Gintama was filmed at Toei Kyoto Studio Park. To coincide with the movie’s release, the park recreated the important scene "Yorozuya Office" at its entrance, and even the traditional Japanese tatami room was authentically reproduced!

If you’re a big Gintama fan like us, you’ll definitely want to take a photo with the life-sized Gintoki sign at the entrance. And if you’re a fan of Oguri Shun, there are also related stills on display.

Additionally, you can dress up as characters from the series—the costume change takes just five minutes!

Travel Through Time and Become a Period Drama Hero

If you feel out of place wearing modern clothes at Toei Kyoto Studio Park, the park offers period drama costume transformation services. There’s a wide selection of outfits to choose from—samurai, merchants, farmers, and even monks—totaling over 70 types across three major categories.

The costume experience at Toei Kyoto Studio Park not only offers more variety than typical kimono dressing but also includes full styling services. Professional stylists from Toei help with dressing, hairstyling, and makeup, achieving a high level of detail so anyone can become a period drama star!

Costume fees range from 8,500 to 16,000 yen, and the entire dressing process takes about 40–60 minutes. After finishing, you can freely stroll around the studio park for 60 minutes.

Come Watch a Period Drama Performance!

Street Samurai Fighting Lessons

The staff at Toei Kyoto Studio Park not only walk around in period costumes (and you can take photos with them!), but they also perform scheduled samurai fight shows. The staff are great at hyping up the crowd and even teach basic fighting moves—so even if you don’t understand Japanese, you can still have a blast!

3D Ninja Light Show

The “Nakamura-za,” established in 1624, was one of the three major kabuki theaters of the Edo period and often staged plays beloved by people of that era. Unfortunately, the original building was destroyed by fire in 1893 during the Meiji period.

Toei Kyoto Studio Park has recreated the Nakamura-za, using it for period drama performances, events, and autograph sessions. Additionally, the 2010 Japanese film "The Lady Shogun and Her Men" (大奥) was filmed here. When not in use for filming, the space usually hosts a 3D ninja light show, featuring exciting action sequences that thrill audiences!

Don’t Worry About Lunch—We’ve Got You Covered

While exploring Toei Kyoto Studio Park, you won’t have to worry about getting hungry. Aside from traditional tea houses, there are also Western restaurants and cafés. But our personal recommendation is Udon Kaiten-tei, known for its delicious udon!

Enjoying udon in a shop styled like an Edo-period establishment is a unique experience in itself!

Kyoto Yuba Udon: 950 yen, Tempura Udon: 980 yen.

After Your Meal, Test Your Skills at the Ninja House

Once you’ve eaten your fill, cross the street to another area of Toei Kyoto Studio Park where you’ll find a mysterious ninja house filled with traps. Participants must navigate through various challenges to find the exit and “escape alive”!

MATCHA Tip

Since Toei Kyoto Studio Park is still an active filming site for Toei period dramas, you might bump into famous actors while walking around. If you’d like a photo, be sure to ask politely first. Also, when filming is in progress, never take photos or videos without permission—no photography during shoots is basic etiquette.

Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Official Website
Address: 10, Uzumasa Hachigaoka-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Business Hours: 09:00–17:00
Phone Number: 075-864-7716
Admission: 2,200 yen per adult

Author: MATCHA
Blog　Fan Page