"Lost in Translation" and "Skyfall." "Your Name." and "Spirited Away." The film industry in Japan is big business.

The most successful films, if well-shot and scouted, can become a catalyst for widespread tourism to prominent locations, providing valuable tourist yen and cultural capital, particularly to more regional areas that might otherwise struggle to attract visitors.

The Japan Film Commission, the national body designated the task of arranging locations for both domestic and international film crews, is well aware of this phenomenon and openly lists the incentives provided by prefectural bodies hoping to attract productions: Individual budgets stretch to as high as ¥10 million ($92,000) per project and are accompanied by offers of assistance with location scouting and arranging permits.