Where's Takeshi’s Castle Filmed? The Iconic Takeshi’s Castle Location

Wondering where Takeshi’s Castle was filmed? The answer takes you straight to one of Japan’s most iconic filming spots: Midoriyama Studios in Yokohama. This legendary studio, owned by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), is the home of the original Takeshi's Castle series and the more recent Amazon Prime revival.

Jump to...

• Takeshi's Castle Location: Midoriyama Studios
• After Takeshi’s Castle
• New Version, Same Location!
• How to Get There?

Takeshi's Castle Location: Midoriyama Studios

Located in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, Midoriyama Studios has hosted Takeshi’s Castle since the show first aired in 1986. The castle grounds, complete with various elaborate games, are set against the backdrop of natural greenery (and more often than not, brown-ery!), adding to the show's charm. Take a look at this map to see the locations of some of the games in the original series.

The word "Midoriyama" itself translates to "Green Mountain" – deriving from the hills surrounding the location. This site remains deeply rooted in the history of Takeshi's Castle, providing the perfect stage for the hilarious and often chaotic action that has captivated audiences worldwide for decades. The castle itself was designed as a mixture of European, Japanese and fantasy strongholds, and constructed at one corner of the large backlot, leaving plenty of room for those famous ponds, platforms and mud pits. For more about the games, check out our Games guide here.

After Takeshi's Castle

Since being the home of Takeshi's Castle, Midoriyama Studios has become synonymous with challenging physical competitions. In fact, after Takeshi's Castle, the location grew even more famous thanks to Sasuke (Ninja Warrior), which also films its punishing obstacle courses at Midoriyama.

New Version, Same Location

When Takeshi’s Castle was revived in 2022 for Amazon Prime Video, fans were thrilled to learn that the new series was to be filmed at none other than Midoriyama Studios. Despite some modern changes in design, such as a revamped castle (now at the opposite end of the field) and powered-up games, the show remains in the same iconic location as it was previously, over 30 years before. You can see an aerial view of the studio from the filming of the revival in 2022 below.

The new series kept true to the spirit of the original by keeping the games set in the expansive outdoor environment of Midoriyama, though all the games were built in the centre of the main field area, rather than utilising the surrounding hills like in the original series. The updated sets brought a fresh but familiar feel to the show, mixing nostalgia with new energy.

Takeshi's Castle Location: How to Get There?

Although Midoriyama Studios isn’t open to the public, it holds a special place in Japanese television history, especially for fans of Takeshi's Castle. Located in Yokohama, Midoriyama is accessible via public transport from central Tokyo, making it a popular spot for TV productions beyond Takeshi’s Castle.

TBS has used the site for a range of other productions, but nothing quite matches the scale or international fame of Takeshi’s Castle. For fans wanting to visit the area, the studio itself remains off-limits, but you are able to take a glimpse inside from the road that runs along the side of the backlot. Nevertheless, Midoriyama remains a place of both nostalgia and excitement for fans of the show. It’s where generations of TV viewers have laughed, cheered, and cringed as contestants made their way through impossible challenges and onto the final battle at Takeshi's Castle!

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