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Most Japanese films are conceived, funded and produced in Tokyo. Firefly Dreams is unusual as it was made completely independently and was mostly financed and produced in Nagoya. Casting began in October 1998. Auditions were held in Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka to find three talented newcomers to play the roles of Naomi, Masaru and Yumi. Auditions were also held at the location to find local people to play supporting roles. Minami Yoshie, who is well known in Japan for her stage, television and film work agreed to play the role of Mrs. Koide.
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The film was shot over six weeks in Horaciho, a rural region rich in history, folklore and natural beauty, located in Aichi Prefecture, in central Japan. The area is famous for the "Hana Matsuri" in winter time, an ancient Dance of Devils to ward off evil spirits. The small town of Ikeba in which the scenes around Koide’s house were shot has a thousand year history, dating back to when the village was founded by scattered and defeated warriors from the Miura clan. Yuya Onsen, where the hotel scenes were shot is a popular and scenic hot spring town on the banks of the river Kansa, whose crystal clear waters are surrounded by gently wooded slopes, and craggy volcanic hills.
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A documentary about the filming was begun during the casting process and continued almost constantly throughout the shoot, and into the post production. This Tokai TV documentary by director Takeshita Kiroku (Best Japanese Documentary Award in 1996 for his "The Day the School Closed")was aired on May 27th..
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