Neon signs cast electric shadows across rain-slicked streets as Thomas Caine melts into the Tokyo night. But the betrayed CIA assassin isn’t just exploring Japan’s capital—he’s navigating through a vibrant world, where every thrilling location becomes a character its own right. Tokyo Black takes readers on a globe-trotting adventure, and in this location report, I’ll guide you through the fascinating places that shape Caine’s first dangerous mission...

PATTAYA, THAILAND

When we first encounter Thomas Caine, he is living off the grid, barely surviving as a smuggler in Pattaya, Thailand. Pattaya is the eighth largest city in Thailand and is located along the country’s east coast. Famous for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, the city also has a dark side, which Caine soon discovers when he is betrayed by his partner in crime, and ends up in Thailand’s most brutal prison.

KRYPTOS, UNITED STATES

Located on the grounds of CIA Headquarters, in Langley, Virginia, this famous sculpture has a history almost as mysterious as the organization that commissioned it. The piece includes a series of copper screens that form an “S” shape. Each panel is covered with symbols cut into the metal, which spell out a coded message. There are four messages in total, and cryptologists have decoded three of the four. The fourth message remains a riddle to this day, and rumors suggest that if solved, a fifth message will be revealed.

KABUKICHO, JAPAN

With it’s abundance of hostess bars, love hotels, and nightclubs, Kabukicho has a reputation as one of the world's most famous red-light districts, and is often called “The Sleepless Town.” Its name derives from a 1940’s plan to construct a kabuki theater in the area. The theater was never built, but the name stuck. One of Kabukicho’s most famous features is the red neon-lit gate at the southwest corner of Yasukuni-Dōri along Ichibangai-Dōrim, which serves as an entrance to the notorious district.

TOKYO DOME, JAPAN

After several fights and chases, Caine’s mission leads him to the Tokyo Dome, a massive indoor stadium nicknamed “The Big Egg” due to its unique oval shape. The Dome houses the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame and is the home field for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. The Dome also serves as a venue for concerts and special events. And it is here that Caine first encounters Masuka Ongaku, the virtual pop idol whose software can mask a user’s face and identity.

TOKYO SKY TREE, JAPAN

Standing at over 600 meters, the Sky Tree is the tallest tower in the world, and the third largest structure in the world. Construction was completed on Leap Day, February 29, 2021. Now, this massive spire serves as the primary broadcasting antenna for the Kanto region, replacing the older Tokyo Tower. Sky Tree’s upper decks provide a stunning view of the surrounding city, and its colorful lights make the structure stand out on the Tokyo skyline. Inside, the tower contains two glass enclosed observation decks,  a gourmet restaurant, and even a secret bar that only opens during the full moon.

I hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes tour of some of the places you'll visit while reading Tokyo Black. Are you ready to accept your mission and jet off to Tokyo, Japan? You can grab your copy of Tokyo Black here: https://mybook.to/tokyoblack

Have you visited Japan? I'd love to hear about the cool, secret spots you discovered. Please drop me a line and tell me all about it!

Thank you,

Andrew Warren