I’d heard there was a film set and theme park in Kyoto that doubles as the backdrop for period dramas, so I went to check it out this time.
The place
It’s a movie village in an area called Uzumasa. Admission was 1,600 yen, if I remember right, and an all-you-can-ride pass for the attractions cost about the same. The attractions are aimed at kids, so they’re not all that fun if you’re an adult..
Inside
Turns out they built the whole theme park around Toei’s film properties.
There’s a Galaxy Express 999 poster too.
Inside
This is what it looks like. It really feels like a place you could shoot a period drama in.
A ninja appears
You can get your photo taken with him.
The atmosphere
Today’s cast list
There are shows on a regular schedule.
Samurai
The Shinsengumi were there too.. this kind of thing was genuinely fun.
This kind of vibe
A snake, or a dinosaur?
It spits water.. well.. it was worth a look, I suppose..
A notice saying to keep out because filming is in progress
Which means this isn’t only a theme park, they really do shoot here. I couldn’t get a photo, but I did catch the actors standing by in full costume. Seeing period drama actors in the flesh has real presence to it.
Ninja show
This one was pretty fun. Actual ninja come out and have a sword fight. The actors really threw themselves into it.
Ninja Cafe
If you look closely, there’s a NERV Cafe as well.
Staff in ninja costume
It’s a theme park, so even the staff are dressed as ninja..
A life-size Evangelion Unit-01
I mean, who would expect this right next to a ninja theme park..
Shin Ultraman
The film Shin Ultraman is being promoted at the moment, so there’s Ultraman stuff all over the place.
The Evangelion cast
They somehow look like the grown-up versions.
The Evangelion cast..
Evangelion
I have no idea why this is even here..
NERV 3rd Neo-Kyoto Branch
Asuka greets you on the way in..
It sits along the path up to the Evangelion.
More details in part 2..
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