Maps of Movies

The Last Samurai (2003)

Where The Last Samurai says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

Japan's mountains were New Zealand's, and Tokyo was a Hollywood backlot

Scenes and places

Arriving in Japan under Mount Fuji

Algren, a traumatized former U.S. Army captain, arrives in Japan in 1876 to train the new Imperial Army for a fee. The volcano on the skyline is the first sight of the country he will come to love.

Set in Mount Fuji — The mountain behind Algren's arrival in Japan. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest peak; the film shot Mount Taranaki in New Zealand in its place.

Filmed at Mount Taranaki (Egmont), New Zealand — Stood in for Mount Fuji as the backdrop of many scenes. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The port town on arrival

Algren steps ashore with his old friend Sergeant Gant, ready to start the job he took for the money.

Set in A Japanese fishing port — The harbour town where Algren first lands; the plot names no real port.

A working harbour on New Zealand's west coast, built up as a Japanese port.

Filmed at Port Taranaki, New Plymouth — Named by the regional development agency as a film location; the scene it served is not stated. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Training the Imperial conscripts

Algren struggles to turn poorly disciplined conscripts into soldiers. He warns that they are not ready for a real battle.

Set in Imperial Army training ground — Where Algren drills the new army; no real site is named in the plot.

A landscaped public park in the centre of New Plymouth.

Filmed at Pukekura Park terraces, New Plymouth — Used for one of the training scenes, per the regional film guide; the exact scene is not specified. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The railroad counterattack

Forced to lead a counterattack he did not want, Algren is overwhelmed when his raw recruits flee from the samurai. Wounded, he is spared by the rebel leader Katsumoto and taken prisoner.

Set in Forest and plain near Omura's railroad — Where the rebels attack the railroad and Algren is forced to lead the counterattack.

A reservoir and forest park near New Plymouth.

Filmed at Lake Mangamahoe, Taranaki — Listed by the regional film guide for horse and battle scenes; which scene is not stated. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Katsumoto's mountain village

Taken in and tended by Katsumoto's sister Taka, Algren gradually earns the samurai's respect. With her help he overcomes his alcoholism and guilt and learns their way of life.

Set in Katsumoto's village — The samurai village where Algren recovers, learns the culture and trains in kenjutsu.

A village built from scratch in a New Zealand valley, plus a real mountain temple in Japan.

Filmed at Japanese village set, Uruti Valley, Taranaki — The main village scenes were shot at a village built in the Uruti valley. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Engyō-ji, Mount Shosha, Himeji, Japan — A temple here served as a location for some village daily-life scenes. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The streets of Tokyo

Katsumoto brings Algren to Tokyo, intending to release him. Algren sees how fully trained and equipped the Imperial Army has become.

Set in Tokyo — The capital, where Algren sees the fully equipped Imperial Army. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A real Hollywood studio lot standing in for 1870s Tokyo.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studios backlot, Burbank, California — Built sets on the studio backlot played part of the village and city scenes; the Japanese Wikipedia says the streets were a Hollywood studio. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The government meeting

Katsumoto finds the young emperor is a puppet of Omura. At a government meeting Omura orders Katsumoto's arrest for carrying a sword in public, and a disgusted Algren resigns his post.

Set in Imperial Palace, Tokyo — Where Katsumoto meets the young emperor and a government meeting is held. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A 17th-century shogun's castle in Kyoto, used for the Tokyo court.

Filmed at Nijō Castle, Kyoto — Named as the stand-in for the Tokyo palace, by the French Wikipedia only. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Characters

• Nathan Algren — A former U.S. Army captain who takes a job training Japan's new army.
• Katsumoto — The samurai leader who leads the rebellion against the new government.