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WHITE DURAG JAPAN FILMING GUIDE (2025)

  • Oct 19
  • 7 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

FILMING, SOUND, & CULTURAL PROTOCOLS



Event Dates, Times & Venues:


Table of Contents:





1. GUIDE CONTEXT

White Durag Japan is a three-stop cultural series in Shibuya (Tokyo) and Osaka, bridging American style, music, and nightlife with Japanese fashion and tastemaker communities.


This filming guide equips our content creators with practical etiquette, logistical intel, and creative cues for staying inspired, respectful, and lawful.


Coverage: OPRCT (Shibuya), Circle Tokyo (Shibuya), Madam Woo’s (Osaka)


Purpose: To ensure all White Durag filming, photography, and sound recording in Japan complies with local law, venue policies, and cultural norms.



2. FILMING STRATEGY

  • Lock in needed permits ≥ 2 weeks out

  • Keep crew lean (< 5 people in public)

  • Split interior/exterior days to avoid gear overflow

  • Scout every spot during same time of day you’ll film (traffic & light shift fast)

  • Have a local contact to smooth issues if police approach



3. PREP CHECKLIST

  • Venue approval letter / rental confirmation

  • Police permit (道路使用許可) for any gear on street

  • Insurance certificates & liability forms

  • Location releases + guest consent

  • Japanese translator / fixer on-site

  • Light sound kit under 85 dB

  • Backup plan for rain or permit denial



4. GENERAL WORKING HOURS & NOISE

  • Tokyo residential cutoff: keep noise < 85 dB after 21:00

  • Osaka club district: more lenient but don’t spill out gear onto street

  • Generators / lights: warn venue in advance



5. LEGAL HAZARDS

  • Don’t fly drones without MLIT approval

  • Don’t film railways / train interiors without operator permission

  • Don’t climb rooftops, gates, or monuments

  • Don’t block sidewalks without a permit

  • Don’t post content that exposes private citizens without release



6. PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED AREAS


Train Stations & Trains

  • All filming inside Tokyo Metro, JR East, and Osaka Metro property requires written permission from the transit authority

  • Unauthorized filming (even handheld) may result in a police stop or fines

  • Quick exterior B-roll is tolerated if no identifiable individuals are captured

  • Tripods and drones are strictly prohibited on station property


Restaurants & Bars

  • Filming inside venues requires explicit consent from management

  • Avoid filming customers or staff who haven’t signed releases

  • For Madam Woo’s (Osaka) advance coordination is required; small LED lighting only

  • OPRCT and Circle Tokyo generally allow filming during pre-approved hours but expect discretion and minimal disruption to patrons


Temples, Shrines, & Cultural Landmarks

  • Most prohibit commercial filming. Always confirm with temple offices

  • Handheld photography only; no tripods, drones, or flashes

  • Maintain silence and dress modestly while filming near worshippers


Public Spaces

  • Shibuya: Handheld street footage is fine if it doesn’t obstruct traffic or pedestrians

  • Scramble Crossing and Center-Gai: Avoid stationary tripods or crowd interference

  • Police may approach if lighting rigs or crews appear “professional-scale”



7. NIGHT FILMING RESTRICTIONS

  • Bring light baffles or softboxes; avoid blinding drivers or residents

  • Local “quiet hours” are 10 PM–7 AM

  • Outdoor filming in residential or mixed-use areas must be low noise, no amplified sound

  • Shibuya Ward regulations restrict filming that generates crowd noise or blocks sidewalks after 10 PM

  • Venues (OPRCT, Circle Tokyo): internal filming allowed after hours

  • Madam Woo’s (Osaka): post-10 PM filming permitted indoors only, with staff supervision



8. LOCATION SCOUTING

  • Pre-scouting is recommended and permitted

  • Shibuya: Daytime scouting is best; minimal gear and polite conduct

  • Osaka (Madam Woo’s): Contact venue rep for walk-throughs during setup hours

  • Street-level scouting may be done without permits if handheld and quick



9. EQUIPMENT RULES


Tripods & Stabilizers

  • Allowed inside venues with notice

  • In public, tripods and large stabilizers are discouraged, handheld or gimbal preferred


Lighting

  • Use portable LED lighting only

  • Avoid strobe or high-output setups near nightlife zones

  • Always check for reflective or light-sensitive signage


Drones

  • Completely prohibited in central Tokyo (including all of Shibuya)

  • Osaka allows limited drone use with MLIT permit, not over crowds or nightlife areas

  • Hire a licensed local drone operator if aerials are critical


Power & Cables

  • Japanese outlets: Type A (100V); bring converters and surge protectors

  • Avoid blocking hallways or public walkways with cables; tape and mark everything clearly



10. SOUND RECORDING

  • Ambient street sound: allowed

  • Private conversations: not permitted without consent (privacy law)

  • In venues, record audio only for participants who’ve signed a release form

  • Use clear signage (“Filming in Progress: Entry Implies Consent”) at entrances

  • Boom mics in public attract attention, lav or directional mics recommended



11. AUDIO RECORDING

  • Public sound: allowed if discreet and non-invasive

  • Private spaces: get consent + guest releases

  • Club audio: patch into venue’s board if possible (less ambient noise)

  • Respect privacy: blur or mute identifiable bystanders in final cut



12. CULTURAL & ETIQUETTE GUIDELINES

  • Bow, ask, thank: Permission first is the Japanese production code; a simple “Okay to film?” works

  • Be tidy: leave spaces cleaner than you found them

  • Stay quiet in shrines, temples, residential alleys; locals may avoid confrontation but report infractions later 

  • Avoid pointing cameras at people praying or performing rituals

  • Avoid pointing cameras directly at strangers, police, or service staff; always ask before filming individuals or staff

  • Don’t film visibly intoxicated people or minors without consent

  • Small crew = respect; big crew = liability unless approved

  • Politeness counts: bow slightly, smile, and thank staff (“Arigatou gozaimasu”)

  • If approached by police or security, stop filming immediately and explain politely that it’s a “music event documentation project”

  • Carry printed credentials and IDs


For in-depth logistical guidance and etiquette, check out the White Durag Japan Field Guide.



13. LOCAL BEST PRACTICES

  • Assign one Production Liaison to handle communication with venues and authorities

  • Keep crew small and mobile

  • Avoid blocking entrances or sidewalks

  • Respect no-smoking zones when filming street scenes

  • In both Shibuya and Osaka, respect neighborhood associations; residents may report noise or lighting complaints

  • Always offer venues footage for review before publication if requested



14. VENUE-SPECIFIC NOTES


OPRCT (Yoyogi-Uehara, Tokyo)

  • Rule: Strict non-smoking policy in and around venue; located near a middle-school

  • Allowed: Full-scale filming with reservation; creative space with flexible filming policy

  • Scout: Yes, bookable “ロケハン (Location Scout)” slot

  • Hours: Notify venue manager of filming intent and estimated times; Normal 06:30 – 23:00; late-night (23:00 – 06:30) = extra fee

  • Noise Limit: Sound-sensitive: avoid loud playback during setup hours; keep ≤ 85 dB after 21:00

  • Rooftop: Stay behind fences — no climbing for shots

  • Tip: Treat it like a pro studio: pay, schedule, respect the neighborhood


CIRCLE Tokyo (Shibuya)

  • Permission Required: Permission required for camera setups larger than handheld, contact event manager; filming is not automatic with booking; no flash photography on the dance floor; no blocking stairways or emergency exits

  • Scout: Coordinate through staff; ask for 撮影規約 (“filming policy”)

  • Shibuya Caution: Public filming outside the venue = police / city permit

  • Tip: Handheld = fine; tripods/lights = permit required


MADAM WOO Osaka (Shinsaibashi)

  • Open Hours: 23:00–05:00 (approx.)

  • Rules: “Excessive photo/video shoot prohibited,” owner approval mandatory for all shoots; lighting rigs limited to handheld LED panels; filming near patrons or food service requires clearance

  • Reality: Quick social content = OK; full production = clear with management

  • Tip: Secure written approval; respect guest privacy



15. SURROUNDING AREAS (SHIBUYA & OSAKA STREETS)

Activity

Permit Needed?

Authority

Notes

Handheld B-roll, walking shots

Usually no

—

Keep moving, don’t block traffic

Tripod / lighting / gear

Yes

Local Police (道路使用許可)

Apply 1–2 weeks ahead; Japanese-language forms

Blocking sidewalk / crowd scenes

Yes

Police + Ward Office

Provide traffic plan; expect supervision

Nighttime filming (00:00–06:00)

Maybe

Local Ward

Noise/lighting complaints common

Drone shots

Yes (MLIT + local)

Civil Aviation Bureau

Registration, flight plan, insurance required

Local Tips

  • Shibuya Crossing = iconic + impossible without major permit

  • Shinsaibashi Arcade = private shopping street → ask mall association

  • Keep crew tight; avoid boom mics & stands in crowded zones



16. ADMINISTRATION & DOCUMENTATION


Required On-Site Materials

  • Passports and ID

  • This Field Guide

  • Filming Release Forms (Appendix A)

  • Venue contact sheets

  • Copy of drone regulations (if applicable)


If Stopped by Police

  1. Stay calm

  2. Show credentials

  3. Explain: “We are filming a cultural music project with venue permission”

  4. Comply fully and avoid arguing


For in-depth crew comms guidance and protocols, check out the White Durag Japan Comms Guide.



17. QUICK CONTACTS



18. EMERGENCY CONTACTS

  • Emergency: Police 110 | Fire & Ambulance 119

  • U.S. Embassy Tokyo: 03-3224-5000

  • U.S. Consulate Osaka: 06-6315-5900



19. A WORD


Move with style, not chaos.


Ask first, film second.


Be a guest in the space, not a disturbance to it.


Clean crew, tight shots, respectful energy.



APPENDIX A: FILMING & APPEARANCE RELEASE FORM


WHITE DURAG JAPAN Event Filming & Photography Release


I hereby grant permission to White Durag, its affiliates, and authorized media teams to record my image, voice, and likeness in video, photography, or audio format during events associated with White Durag Japan (including OPRCT, Circle Tokyo, and Madam Woo’s).


I understand that this material may be edited and used for promotional, documentary, or artistic purposes across any media platform, worldwide, in perpetuity.


I waive any right to review or approve the final product or claim royalties or other compensation.


Full Name: __________________________Signature: __________________________Date: __________________________Email (optional): __________________________


For minors under 18, parent/guardian signature required.

Guardian Name: __________________________Signature: __________________________Date: __________________________



APPENDIX B: MAP PIN INDEX (FOR VIRTUAL SCOUTING)


Event Venues


Tokyo: Shibuya / Harajuku / Asakusa


Osaka: Namba / Shinsaibashi / Umeda


 
 
 

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