The novel is set in California; mostly in Los Angeles. The main character, Elvis Cole, lives specifically on Woodrow Wilson Drive, above Hollywood. He spends most of his time in the novel in various parts of Little Tokyo and Hollywood. In Little Tokyo there are a lot of low-key shops and restaurants. Cole is familiar with the area but before this case hasn't frequented it much beyond buying food. The men of the yakuza cross between both Little Tokyo and Hollywood, but the two settings are in direct contrast with one another.