Ginza and Hibiya In "Godzilla Minus" Movies

Above, the Wako Department Store (left) at Ginza Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been over 16 years since I published The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (with much help from J. D. Lees of G-FAN fame). It is a travel guide featuring locations and attractions of our favorite kaiju movies.

I saw Godzilla Minus Zero last weekend and re-watched Godzilla Minus One today. Ginza in Tokyo was prominently featured in both movies. In Godzilla Minus One, Ginza was destroyed by Godzilla with much of the Wako Department Store still standing, but in a ruined state, and again in Godzilla Minus Zero. 

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Building is where the
Nichigeki Theater once stood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back when the movie takes place following the end of World War II, the Nichigeki Theater was re-created in the movie. Where it once stood in Hibya, the Yurakucho Mullion Building (featured in Return of Godzilla (1984)) now stands. This is where Godzilla Minus One deserved the Academy Award in my view. I was mostly impressed how the Ginza and Hibiya districts of the past were re-created.

Above, the front cover of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Ginza and Hibiya are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on pages 28 and 29. So, if one has a hankering to go to Japan to visit these locations (and others), the travel guide will direct visitors to these places.  

I have plenty of copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan available. As it is a 16 year old publication with some information outdated (but not the locations and attractions, mind you), it can be ordered for $9.95 each (discounted from its cover price of $15.00) plus $2.00 shipping & handling. 

For more information and ordering, go here.