Japan Private Drivers can provide your production with the vehicles it needs for equipment and personnel transportation in a way that works closely with your schedule and your budget. We understand the critical importance of time management on film and TV sets and that delays cost money. This is why we make a seamless, punctual service our top priority and employ highly qualified, licensed drivers to get you and your equipment where it needs to be on time.

We provide 14-seater Toyota Hiace Commuter vans, and at present our owned fleet is comprised solely of these vehicles. If your production requires additional vehicles of varying types, such as Alphard, Microbus, large sized motorcoaches, luxury sedans for VIPs or luxury buses, this can be organised through TokudAw.

Streamlined Crew Transportation on Set

Are you planning to filming in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka for an extended period? Japan Private Drivers offers reliable long-term shuttle services for your team. Actors and crew members often prefer not to walk or drive between parking lots, sets, trailers, and catering areas, and waiting for everyone to arrive at a new location can waste valuable time.

With our recurring minibus service, you can ensure everyone arrives on set together, well-rested and comfortable. Contact our long-term shuttle team or email us to discuss your specific needs.

Comfortable Amenities Between Takes

Film shoots can be tiring. Provide your cast and crew with the comfort of plush seats, air-conditioning, and WiFi on their charter bus as they travel between locations. Make use of the luggage space of our Hiace's for storing equipment, costumes, and props. If you’re unsure about which features will best suit your needs, our experienced reservation specialists are ready to help.

Efficient Behind-the-Scenes Tours

For studios offering behind-the-scenes tours, Japan Private Drivers will partner with our Destination Management Department, TokudAw, to ensure smooth transportation for visitors. We provide charter buses to move guests between locations, preventing them from getting lost or wandering into restricted areas. Choose a bus with panoramic windows so tourists can observe the action without needing to disembark.

Convenient Location Scouting Services

Our Destination Management Department, TokudAw, works closely with local governments and can help you simplify location scouting, while our multi-lingual team can provide interpretation assistance to make your filming experience in Japan smooth and stress-free.

We have a close relationship with local governments and authorities and may be able to assist with the application process to gain access to exclusive sites. We’ll send a minibus to pick you and your team up from the airport and transport you to where you need to be, whether they are small towns, mountains, or bamboo forests. Avoid the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads and request onboard WiFi and power outlets to keep your devices charged.

Safe and Fun Cast Parties

If you're planning a wrap party or entertainment after a day of shooting, we can provide a private charter vehicle and ensure you receive the safest and most convenient transport, ensuring everyone has a great time and gets home safely. Our driver will serve as the designated driver, taking your cast and crew back to their homes or hotels. In certain cities, you can even bring drinks on the bus – just let your reservation specialist know in advance.

Exclusive Premiere Transportation

Japan Private Drivers also provides transportation for film premieres to ensure your actors and crew arrive on time and in style. Avoid the hassle of finding parking in busy areas by renting a bus to drop off your team near the venue. Choose from sleek, modern all-black or all-white vehicles equipped with plush seats, overhead storage, and climate control for a comfortable ride.

Contact us today to secure transportation for your film production in Japan!

Important information:

Our vehicles:

JPD can only service guests who are travelling into or out of Tokyo. For other locations, please contact TokudAw.

Our vehicles undergo inspections every three months, and any issues are immediately repaired before the vehicles return to service. Vehicles also undergo a more stringent annual inspection.

There is a vehicle inspection officer who completes a final check on all vehicles before they depart.

All vehicles are fully insured.

Our drivers:

We employ highly-trained, multilingual drivers who have extensive experience working with guests from many different countries and backgrounds, including guests with health conditions and disabilities. They are extremely knowledgeable, having spent years guiding guests through some of Japan's most famous and some of its lesser known regions. Some of our drivers used to work on film location sets, and would be able to provide tidbits and secret filming spots for your upcoming production.

All drivers undergo a physical examination at the start of the day to ensure they are in a good condition to drive.

Our drivers also undergo 20 hours of on-the-road training to make sure that they are familiar with the vehicle.

All of our drivers have the professional class 2 licence required to drive a mid-sized bus.

All vehicles are equipped with front and interior drive recorders to monitor driver behaviour, so we can always allow them to improve. 

All vehicles are also equipped with a digital tachograph, to monitor erratic driving. If dangerous driving has been detected, the main office gets notified immediately. The digital tachograph also has GPS embedded so we can check where the driver has been.

We hold monthly seminars for our drivers ranging from how to maintain top vehicle condition, to things to take note of while driving under snowy or rainy conditions.

Contact us today to secure transportation for your film production in Japan!