Giggster logo
The Karate Kid 2 movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Karate Kid 2 filmed?

1986

City Locations

Oahu, Hawaii; Los Angeles, California

Location Types

House, Church/Temple

Location Styles

Beachfront, Bungalow, Dilapidated/Neglected, Parking Lot, Rustic

About The Karate Kid 2

The Karate Kid Part II is a popular 1986 American martial arts drama movie and the sequel to 1984’s The Karate Kid. It was written by Robert Mark Kamen, directed by John G. Avildsen, and stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, and Yuji Okumoto. The movie was a massive hit, making over $115 million in North America alone.

Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), a karate master, goes back to Okinawa with Daniel (Ralph Macchio), upon hearing about his father's terminal illness. In Okinawa, Miyagi meets up with his ex-girlfriend Yukie (Nobu McCarthy), who is still single. Meanwhile, Daniel develops feelings for Yukie's niece, Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita). However, their romance is complicated by historical grudges and aggressive locals. Along the way, Danny and Miyagi gain essential insights that aid them in situations beyond karate fights.

The film was successful in earnings, becoming one of the top-grossing movies in 1986. However, critics gave mixed reviews, with some admiring Morita's acting and adding novel characters and settings, while others complained about the plot, villains, and some action scenes. The movie's reviews are a combination of positive and negative feedback.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, 32 reviews give it a 44% approval rating with an average score of 5 out of 10. The show got a Metacritic score of 55 out of 100, based on an average of nine reviews. This suggests that the reviews were not all positive or negative. The movie has been nominated for several awards, such as a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. Moreover, it won ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards for Top Box Office Films, and Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures.

The Karate Kid 2 Locations

While the movie was shot in various regions, most scenes were filmed in Oahu, Hawaii. The Hawaiian island provides an awe-inspiring backdrop to this memorable film, with its scenic mountain ranges, lush forests, and vast beaches. Other locations included Los Angeles, California, where a studio backlot was used for some of the film's more extravagant set pieces.

Oahu was selected for filming The Karate Kid 2 due to its comparable climate to Japan, a significant Okinawan community, and the advantage of shooting on US territory. The production team constructed a realistic Japanese village set to enhance the overall effect. The sequel's production began ten days after The Karate Kid's release.

A trip to the locations for The Karate Kid 2 would certainly be worthwhile. Not only are there spectacular sights to see, such as Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Crater, and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, but those familiar with the movie can also relive some of their favorite moments on location. Visitors can experience many of the same places in the movie, including sites like Kualoa Regional Park and Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, which featured prominently in scenes from The Karate Kid 2.

Confrontation between John Kreese and Johnny Lawrence scene in The Karate Kid 2

18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA

The scene at the beginning, which is also the ending of the previous movie, is an iconic confrontation between John Kreese (Martin Kove), the head honcho of Cobra Kai, and his former student Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). After recently losing to Mr. Miyagi's students at the All-Valley Karate Tournament, Kreese is outraged and takes out his aggression on Johnny, who had been one of his top students. However, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) steps in and uses a masterful passive approach to subdue him by tweaking his nose instead of using violence. This interaction sets up the rivalry between Cobra Kai and Mr. Miyagi's dojo that lasts throughout the rest of the movie.

The opening scene was filmed at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA—California State University Northridge (CSUN). Established in 1857, CSUN is home to low-scale buildings constructed mostly from brick, concrete, and glass materials. Numerous outdoor grassy areas also provide a peaceful setting for any filming crew or visitor looking to escape city life for a moment or two.

Visitors can reach California State University Northridge from several major Los Angeles transportation hubs, including Union Station (33 minutes), Hollywood/Highland Metro station (27 minutes), Long Beach Airport (47 minutes), Burbank Airport (20 minutes), or LAX airport (30 minutes).

Chatsworth Filming Locations Exploration

Daniel shows up at the airport scene in The Karate Kid 2

Flight Path Museum & Learning Center, 6661 Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Daniel convinces his mother (Randee Heller) to let him join Miyagi (Pat Morita) on the trip just as Miyagi is about to board the plane. Miyagi is hesitant, but Daniel's explanation that he had paid for the ticket with his savings causes Miyagi to reconsider. They both fly to Okinawa, and on the plane, Daniel reads a book on Okinawan history but is unable to find the location of Miyagi's village on the map.

This scene was an important moment in the movie as it demonstrated how far Daniel had come in his relationship with Miyagi. It also foreshadowed their eventual journey back home together, where Daniel learned more about his teacher’s past. The scene was filmed at the Flight Pth Museum & Learning Center in LA. This museum is dedicated to educating people about aviation and aerospace history through educational tours and programs, research facilities, and community events.

The Flight Path Learning Center is conveniently close to LAX Airport and easily reachable by car or public transportation, such as the Metro Bus or Metro Rail. It’s also less than 20 miles southwest of downtown LA.

Los Angeles Filming Locations Scout

Tomi Village scenes in The Karate Kid 2

47-507 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA

Tomi Village is Miyagi's hometown on Okinawa. Miyagi shares directions with Daniel on how to locate Tomi Village: "Find Naha. Head south."

Although Tomi is a fictional location, the filmmakers may have taken inspiration from Tomigusuku, a village during the time of filming that has since become a city. This scene shows Mr. Miyagi embracing his roots as he returns to his hometown for the first time in several years. The scene wasn’t actually filmed on Okinawa, but was instead shot at Kaneohe, Hawaii. There you can findthe view of Kahalu'u Pond which sets the backdrop for this heartwarming reunion between Mr. Miyagi and his ancestral home.

To get to this location, you’re looking at a half-hour drive north from Honolulu.

Honolulu Filming Locations Search

Miyagi and Yukie’s reunion scene in The Karate Kid 2

Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI

This scene in The Karate Kid 2 occurs in the home of Mr. Miyagi's father, which was specially set up by the production crew for the movie. After arriving in Tomi, Miyagi and Daniel are met by Kumiko, a young girl around Daniel's age, as well as Yukie, Miyagi's former love interest. The reunion between him and Yukie is happy; she reveals that she never married Sato (Danny Kamekona) or anyone else after he left. Miyagi's father (Charlie Tanimoto) summoned both his son and Sato to his bedside and joined their hands together. He asked them to reconcile and make peace before he passed away.

This poignant scene was filmed at Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe, HI, which is known for its lush greenery and stunning ocean views. This makes it easy to understand why the producers chose this location for filming; it looks picturesque and serene.

Tours of this famous movie ranch are available, and it can be reached by car just 20 miles north of Honolulu.

Filming Locations Tour

King Shohashi Castle scene in The Karate Kid 2

Halona Blowhole, Honolulu, HI

As Daniel and Kumiko gaze out at the ocean from a lookout, Kumiko points out to Daniel the ruins of King Sho Hashi's castle in Okinawa. This moment's mood is awe, appreciation, and a growing romance for Daniel and Kumiko. Despite the portrayal in the movie, Shou Hashi was a historical leader of Okinawa who actually existed.

The scene was shot on location on the Hawaiian coastline near the Halona Blowhole. From this lookout, visitors can witness nature’s wonders up close, as they watch ocean water shoot 30 feet into the air from a lava tube. It is also home to stunning views of Hawaii’s shoreline and with its palpable Hawaiian atmosphere, it has become an iconic spot for tourists all around the world.

Getting to this location is relatively easy. If you are traveling by car, it should take about 25 minutes from Waikiki Beach.

Honolulu Video Shoot Locations Finder

Conclusion

The Karate Kid 2 is an action-packed, thrilling sequel to its predecessor. The charming performance by Ralph Macchio as the lead character, Daniel LaRusso, is wonderful to see. His convincing portrayal of a teenage boy trying to find his place in the world resonates with the audience. The script and idea behind The Karate Kid 2 are also highly commendable. The writers have managed to bring a sense of freshness to the classic storyline while still retaining its core essence, culminating in an exciting journey for Daniel as he learns karate in Okinawa and faces off against his arch-nemesis.

The Karate Kid 2 has been credited with being one of the first movies that popularized martial arts in mainstream Hollywood. Its success can be attributed to its unique blend of comedy, drama, and captivating action sequences, making it appealing to kids and adults alike. It’s no wonder that it spawned further sequels and eventually rebooted over the years.

And because you don’t have to travel to Japan to see where it was filmed, it’s easy to check out some famous The Karate Kid 2 filming locations for yourself.