Location bus and coordination service,
from Kyoto to locations throughout Japan
We do our best to offer support to ensure your filming work will go smoothly!
The tuc group handles filming negotiations and location bus service as well as location scouting and location coordination so staff filming in Kyoto can do their jobs smoothly.
Since we can arrange a wide range of vehicle types, we can accommodate the full range of filming needs– including staff drop-off and pick-up–for movie filming, TV and online show location work, and still photography.
For example, we can flexibly accommodate urgent scheduling when a location is identified for next-day shooting at the last minute. We can also preposition equipment and ship it back on your behalf when you leave so that you can travel by Shinkansen or air with minimal luggage.
We also offer shipping services for standard freight and large equipment, so you won’t need to find another shipping company to transport filming equipment.
The tuc Group offers comprehensive, across-the-board support, from shipping to staff drop-off and pick-up and location coordination!
We also offer support using online tools!
We can conduct meetings using online meeting tools. Such meetings are easier to understand than communicating by phone and simpler to arrange than meeting in person. We use web cameras, which makes it possible to see the person you’re talking to for peace of mind.
We offer online location scouting using drones and smartphones. Our staff will go to your location and provide the information you need. You can ask questions right away, which makes it possible to resolve your concerns immediately.
In the past, sending and receiving documents was a troublesome process. Today, we use email and communications apps to avoid those bottlenecks. This approach helps streamline operations.
Features of tuc’s location bus services
Located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, and founded in 1958, the tuc Group is uniquely positioned to provide support for Kyoto locations with safe, comfortable staff pick-up and drop-off services.
Here are some reasons why customers consistently choose the tuc Group.
Unparalleled capabilities when it comes to locations in Kyoto
We have an extensive track record of coordinating a variety of location work in Kyoto for filming of historical dramas and commercials as well as variety programs, online shows, and other productions.
Past location work
Daikaku-ji Temple, Hirosawa-no-Ike Pond, Saganison-in Temple, Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge, Saga Shakado Temple, Saga Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Horin-ji Temple, Umenomiya-taisha Shrine, Omuroninna-ji Temple, Imamiya-jinja Shrine, Taniyama Forest Road summit, Takao Parkway, Higashihongan-ji Temple, Nishihongan-ji Temple, To-ji Temple, Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, Sakamoto Hiyoshi-taisha Shrine, Sakamoto Saikyo-ji Temple, Kizu Nagarebashi Bridge, Uji Manpuku-ji Temple, Uji Byodo-in Temple, Daigo Zuishin-in Temple, Yamashina Bishamon Temple, Kameoka Bishamonso, Kameoka Kokubun-ji Temple, Kameoka Yamamotohama Beach, Kameoka Haseda-jinja Shrine, Kameoka Ryotan-ji Temple, Kameoka Anao-ji Temple, Kameoka Senju-ji Temple, Sonobecho Make-jinja Shrine, Kyotanbacho O/P, Kyotanbacho Shitsumi-jinja Shrine, Shiga Hikone-jo Castle, Shiga Hachimanbori, Shiga Nishi-no-ko Lake, Galleria Kameoka, Yasaka-jinja Shrine, Gion Shinbashi Tatsumi Inari Shrine, snack bars in Gion
Ability to flexibly accommodate even last-minute scheduling
Outdoor location work is typically conducted at the whim of the weather. Even if you’re looking for a location bus after your location was decided a day in advance, the tuc Group welcomes your business. (Whether we can accommodate your request will depend on vehicle availability and our partners’ schedules.) Don’t hesitate to contact us with your request.
Staff and equipment pick-up, drop-off, and shipping as part of a one-stop solution
In addition to location bus and coordination, the tuc Group offers standard and specialized cargo shipping service. As a result, you won’t need to arrange separate drop-off, pick-up, and shipping. Take advantage of our comprehensive, across-the-board support!
Support for the full range of locations
We offer location bus and coordination service within Kyoto Prefecture, including for movie filming, TV and online show location work, and commercial and magazine still photography. And don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have a project that involves filming outside Kyoto Prefecture.
We’ve provided cast and staff pick-up and drop-off service at numerous movie filming and TV locations.
Past projects
Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai, Sekigahara, Punk Samurai Slash Down, Rurouni Kenshin, and many others
Warehouse space for temporary storage or use as a location base
The tuc Group owns and manages warehouse space in Kyoto. This space can be used as temporary storage for filming equipment or artwork being shot, or as a base for the duration of location work. We can help you lower your total costs by offering a one-stop solution for storage, management, and shipping.
Ability to accommodate groups of all sizes
The tuc Group has provided pick-up and drop-off service for as many as about 400 personnel for location work involving the staging of a large battle. If other companies have turned you down due to the large size of your group, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
“Safety first” approach
The tuc Group offers thorough staff training. We strive to offer careful, fine-grained service at all times in addition to safe driving to ensure that customers can focus on their jobs with peace of mind.
Customer feedback
You gave us kind service despite us making a last-minute request the evening of the day before.
We needed location scouting in Kyoto after the details were finalized late the evening before. We got in touch with you half-expecting you to turn us down, but you kindly accepted our request. You were mindful of our needs, for example the time of our return Shinkansen tickets, from start to finish, which was really helpful. Thank you very much!
Location with a one-week stay
We had an overnight location with close to 10 vehicles, including trucks, location buses, and other transportation. You arranged everything smoothly, despite a variety of challenging conditions. Thank you very much!
We had some last-minute location work...
We had a bunch of chaotic location work, but you did a great job, from proposing a location to negotiating access. The location was very close to Arashiyama, so your local connections were also helpful.
Equipment rentals
The tuc Group also rents equipment to customers of its location bus and coordination services. We have an extensive range of equipment, including studio and filming equipment, so let us know what you need.
Equipment available for rental
Filming equipment, lighting equipment, specialized equipment, tables, floor-length mirrors, coolers, chairs, still photography studio, editing studio
Fees
See below for fees for location bus service originating in Kyoto.
These fees are provided for reference only as a rough guideline. Please get in touch if you’re interested in our services.
Download shipping application and receipt (PDF)
Basic method for calculating location bus fees
In keeping with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s new fare system, the tuc Group calculates location bus fees using the hour-kilometer method, which combines time- and distance-based fares.
Additional fees for shift drivers, late-night/early-morning service, and special-vehicle use are added to the per-hour and per-kilometer fares as necessary, and customers are billed for the cost of any expressway tolls, parking fees, and overnight accommodations as reimbursements.
Basic fee (per-hour and per-kilometer fares)
| Vehicle | Fare per hour | Fare per kilometer |
|---|---|---|
 Microbus(29 passengers, including the driver) | 6,280yen／h | 120yen／km |
 HiAce Commuter(14 or 15 passengers, including the driver) | 4,340yen／h | 90yen／km |
We're happy to work with you to meet your needs, so please contact us with details about your project.
Shift driver fees
We’ll provide drivers in shifts or provide two drivers when required by law:
1. If total time exceeds 13 hours
2. If driving time exceeds 9 hours
3. If continuous driving time exceeds 4 hours
4. If driving distance exceeds 500 km *At night (2:00 am to 4:00 am), if driving distance exceeds 400 km
| Vehicle | Fare per hour | Fare per kilometer |
|---|---|---|
| Microbus (29 passengers, including the driver) | 3,130yen／h | 30yen／km |
| HiAce Commuter (14 or 15 passengers, including the driver) | 2,170yen／h | 20yen／km |
We're happy to work with you to meet your needs, so please contact us with details about your project.
Late-night/early-morning service fee
A late-night/early-morning service fee applies to service from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am.
The late-night/early-morning service fee is less than or equal to 20% of the basic fee and the hourly portion of shift driver fees.
Please contact us for more information.
Special-vehicle fee
An additional fee is added if we arrange use of special vehicles.
This fee is less than or equal to 50% of the fare.
Please contact us for more information.
Reimbursements
Customers are billed for other costs such as expressway tolls, parking fees, and overnight accommodations. (We do not bill customers for fuel.)
Cancellation fees
After 5:45 pm on the day before service: 100%
From 12:00 am to 5:45 pm on the day before service: 50%
Seven days before service to 11:59 pm two days before service: 20%
Examples
Total time at location:
8 hr.
Inspection and roll call before leaving and after return:
1 hr. × 2 = 2 hr.
Travel to and from pick-up/drop-off location:
30 min. × 2 = 1 hr.
Total: 11 hr.
Depot to pick-up in city to Daikaku-ji Temple to drop-off in city to depot:
12 km
＝70,520yen＋tax
＝48,820yen＋tax
Total time at location:
4 hr.
Inspection and roll call before leaving and after return:
1 hr. × 2 = 2 hr.
Travel to and from pick-up/drop-off location:
30 min. × 2 = 1 hr.
Total: 7 hr.
Depot to pick-up in city to Daikaku-ji Temple to drop-off in city to depot:
50 km
＝53,956yen＋tax
＝37,670yen＋tax
Total time at location:
2 hr.
Inspection and roll call before leaving and after return:
1 hr. × 2 = 2 hr.
Travel to and from pick-up/drop-off location:
30 min. × 2 = 1 hr.
Total: 5 hr.
Depot to Kyoto Station to Arashiyama area to depot:
20 km
＝33,800yen＋tax
＝23,500yen＋tax
Location coordination
We use our extensive knowledge of Kyoto to support location work for movie production and TV/online shows in the city!
We can also provide a quotation for interpretation service.