Where was Alice in Borderland filmed? Iconic locations behind Netflix's hit thriller

Alice in Borderland, one of Netflix's most successful international shows, is making a triumphant return for its third season after a three-year hiatus.

The popular Japanese drama features Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya as Ryōhei Arisu and Yuzuha Usagi respectively, two strangers thrust into a series of cruel games set in a desolate version of Tokyo.

Following a dramatic cliffhanger that concluded the second season back in 2022, fans have been on the edge of their seats awaiting the continuation of the ruthless challenge.

A multitude of viewers are anticipated to flock to Netflix this week as Alice in Borderland's third season finally premieres on Thursday, 25th September.

Many will be curious about the filming locations of the hit sci-fi thriller, so let's delve into what we know about the settings used to stage the action-packed drama, reports the Mirror.

The precise locations for the third season's filming schedule remain largely undisclosed to prevent revealing spoilers or too many details about specific scenes.

However, it's not expected that Alice in Borderland will see a significant change in setting for the third season, as trailers indicate the next instalment continues in the parallel version of Tokyo.

Much of the series was indeed shot in the Japanese capital, with key scenes taking place in the Dōgenzaka district of Shibuya.

However, filming on-location in one of the world's most populous cities presented a challenge for the production team. They had to resort to a mix of sets and visual effects to recreate the crucial Shibuya Crossing location.

The Ashikaga Scramble City Studio in Tochigi, situated in Honshu's Kantō region, served as the primary filming location.

Most of the scene was brought to life using CGI, with only key features like the road and ticket gate physically present. This set was also utilised for the film Detective Chinatown 3.

Other pivotal scenes were shot across various Japanese cities, including an unforgettable sequence in Sakuya Konohana Kan, a colossal greenhouse in Osaka's Tsurumi Ryokuchi park.

Viewers will also recall the Beach, a plush hotel where survivors can unwind and recuperate between games. The Royal Oak Hotel Spa and Gardens in Otsu, Shiga provided the exterior shots, while certain interior scenes, including the iconic main hall, were filmed at the Nanki Shirahama Resort Hotel.

The latter remains open for fans wishing to spend the night and is located in Shirahama, a popular beach town in the Wakayama Prefecture. Regrettably, the Royal Oak in Otsu has reportedly shut down after declaring bankruptcy.

Other must-visit locations for Alice in Borderland fans include the iconic 798-meter-long Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay, which features prominently in several key scenes.

One of the most exhilarating moments from the series was the game of tag, known as Five of Spades, which unfolded in a deserted apartment building.

This complex is located at 4-2 Koeidai, Kita-ku, in Kobe, a city in Japan that's the capital of Hyogo, situated in the Kansai region. It was due for refurbishment during filming in 2019 and was therefore vacant, but has since been filled with residents.

Are you planning a Japanese adventure to visit some unforgettable Alice in Borderlands landmarks?

Alice in Borderland season 3 premieres Thursday, 25th September on Netflix.