KneeTheCap: So we're going to japan again, this time we're gonna bring our new video camera with us.
Now the question is, where are we allowed to film? Can we film in stores? In arcades? In public?
I'm sure filming is prohibited in temples and places like that, but are there more?
I've seen people film pretty much anywhere
outside in public and as long as you look 'touristy' and not like a professional team or carry a big ass camera no one is likely to ask what you're doing (same as in most other countries, large cameras generally arouse suspicion). Inside shops and especially inside museums it's a different story, you better ask for permission every time.
There are some places where you aren't allowed to use a tripod ("no stand" is what you will be told), the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is such a place and also the panorama deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, Golden Pavilion used to be cool up until a couple years ago but when I went again in 2010 they had changed policies. I don't film but I sometimes use a tripod for painting.
Every temple has different visitor policies and there isn't any consistent logic behind it. If anyone gets upset at anything, use the magic word 'sumimasen', repeat if necessary and throw in some polite bows for good measure. You can survive by pretty much just using that one word really! Keep in mind that Japanese people are in general quite polite so they may not communicate their discontent towards you filming in a verbal way but if you're observant enough you'll quickly notice when it's not appreciated.