JapanTourist: Tokyo Tower, The Monster Magnet

Above, Tokyo Tower in the distance from the Sumida River.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before the Tokyo Sky Tree, there was (and is) Tokyo Tower.

Tokyo Tower has been featured in a number of kaiju movies over the years, the last being in Godzilla Final Wars (and in an imaginary sequence of a CGI Godzilla blasting it at the beginning of Always: Sunset On Third Street 2).

My latest JapanTourist article, "Tokyo Tower, The Monster Magnet" is now posted.

To see it, go here.

News From CD Japan

All Items Music Video Collectible Book Apparel

All Fields Listing Pages Item Details

4 movie discount offers are newly added! Eligible items includes Takeshi Kitano's works, movies with English subtitles, and more. Don't miss this opportunity! (by haru)

Sunset on Third Street '64 (English Sub.) out on July 20! "ALWAYS Sanchome no Yuhi '64 (Sunset on Third Street '64)," which is the third film from "Sunset on Third Street" series directed by Takashi Yamazaki, comes out on DVD and Blu-ray . Its first film was the 2006 Japanese Academy Award-winning film depicting the everyday lives of town people at the height of Japan's post-war reconstruction period. The film f eatures English subtitles and comes with an original folding fan!

	Ougon wo Daite Tobe (Fly With The Gold) Making of DVD Making-of DVD release of the mystery film "Ougon wo Daite Tobe (Fly With The Gold)" starring Satoshi Tsumabuki. Also appears Tadanobu Asano, Junpei Mizobata, Changmin (Dong Bang Shin Ki), Toshiyuki Nishida, and more...
	DVD | Release:2012/10/02 | Price:2500yen (US$ 31.34)
	Nana to Kaoru 2 Second live action film "Nana to Kaoru" comes out on DVD. It is based on the hit comic of the same name about SM and youthful pure love written by Ryuta Amazume...
	DVD | Release:2012/09/28 | Price:3800yen (US$ 47.64)
	Battle Fever J [DVD] Vol.1-5 First DVD release from sci-fi/live action series "Battle Fever J" includes episodes 1 through 11. A mysterious organization has left a trail of strange crimes and the only one that can stop them are the Battle Fever team! Using their battle suits, this team of five young men and women can put a stop to the crimes!
	DVD | Release:2012/09/21 | Price:9800yen (US$ 122.87)

Movie Special Discount Offers Page Special Pick Up for July Special Request Shopping Service CDJapan Current Sales & Promotions!

Joe Hisaishi / Tenchi Meisatsu Original Soundtrack... CD | 2012/09/12 | 2857yen (US$ 35.82) Japanese Movie (Documentary)... / Waga Kokoro no Kabukiza (English Subtitl... Blu-ray | 2012/09/26 | 5700yen (US$ 71.46) Japanese Movie (Documentary)... / Waga Kokoro no Kabukiza (English Subtitl... DVD | 2012/09/26 | 4700yen (US$ 58.93) Japanese Movie / RAILWAYS Ai wo Tsutaerarenai Otonatachi ... DVD | 2012/10/06 | 6800yen (US$ 85.26) Japanese Movie / Gachiban WORST MAX DVD | 2012/10/05 | 3800yen (US$ 47.64) Japanese Movie (Navigate DVD)... / "Ohsama to Boku" Navigate DVD with Masak... DVD | 2012/08/24 | 3000yen (US$ 37.61) Sci-Fi Live Action / Gekko Kamen Dai 3 Bu Mammoth Kong Hen V... DVD | 2012/09/26 | 2000yen (US$ 25.08) Sci-Fi Live Action / Gekko Kamen Dai 3 Bu Mammoth Kong Hen V... DVD | 2012/09/26 | 2000yen (US$ 25.08) Sci-Fi Live Action / Gekko Kamen Dai 3 Bu Mammoth Kong Hen V... DVD | 2012/10/26 | 2000yen (US$ 25.08) Sci-Fi Live Action / Gekko Kamen Dai 4 Bu Yurei To no Gyakush... DVD | 2012/09/26 | 2000yen (US$ 25.08) Sci-Fi Live Action / Gekko Kamen Dai 4 Bu Yurei To no Gyakush... DVD | 2012/09/26 | 2000yen (US$ 25.08) Sci-Fi Live Action / Gekko Kamen Dai 4 Bu Yurei To no Gyakush... DVD | 2012/10/26 | 2000yen (US$ 25.08) TV Series / Koi suru Maison - Rainbow Rose - (Japane... DVD | 2012/09/05 | 14000yen (US$ 175.53) Japanese TV Series / Kazoku no Uta DVD Box DVD | 2012/10/17 | 15200yen (US$ 190.57) Movie / Blade Runner 30th Anniversary Collector'... Blu-ray | 2012/11/07 | 6648yen (US$ 83.35) Movie / The Robot (ENDHIRAN) Deluxe Edition [Blu... Blu-ray | 2012/10/03 | 5800yen (US$ 72.72)

Movie / Cannon Ball Run Set [Limited Release]... Blu-ray | 2012/10/12 | 5676yen (US$ 71.16) Movie / Mega Force [Blu-ray] Blu-ray | 2012/10/12 | 2838yen (US$ 35.58) Original Soundtrack (Music by Koji Endo)... / "Himitsu no Akko-Chan (Movie)" Original ... CD | 2012/08/22 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) TV Original Soundtrack / "Glowing She (Korean TV Drama)" Original... CD | 2012/08/29 | 1905yen (US$ 23.88) TV Original Soundtrack (Music by Toshiyu... / TBS Kei Drama "Naniwa Shonen Tantei Dan"... CD | 2012/09/05 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) TV Original Soundtrack / "Summer Rescue - Tenku no Shinryojo - (T... CD | 2012/09/05 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) TV Original Soundtrack / "Kuro no Onna Kyoshi (TV Series)" Origin... CD | 2012/09/05 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) TV Original Soundtrack (Music by Yugo Ka... / "Ghost Mama Sosasen - Boku to Mama no Fu... CD | 2012/08/22 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) TV Original Soundtrack (Music by Shiro S... / "Tokkan Tokubetsu Kokuzei Choshu Kan" Or... CD | 2012/08/22 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) TV Original Soundtrack (Music by Hajime ... / "Kurumaisu de Boku wa Sora wo Tobu" Orig... CD | 2012/08/22 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) Kei Haneoka / Renzoku Drama W Zouka no Mitsu Original ... CD | 2012/07/04 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) Kei Haneoka / Renzoku Drama W Magma Original Soundtrac... CD | 2012/07/04 | 2381yen (US$ 29.85) Ryo Yoshizawa / Yoshizawa Ryo First Photo Book "Hajimari... BOOK | 2012/08/31 | 2095yen (US$ 26.27) Arisa Komiya / Komiya Arisa First Shashinshu (Photo Boo... BOOK | 2012/09/15 | 2900yen (US$ 36.36) Shiho / Shiho Shashin Shu (Photo Book): Title is... BOOK | 2012/08/28 | 3000yen (US$ 37.61)

	"ALWAYS Sanchome no Yuhi 3 Films Set Blu-ray Box Blu-ray set of three films from "ALWAYS Sanchome no Yuhi (Sunset on Third Street)" series.
	Blu-ray | Release:2012/07/20 | Price:14400yen (US$ 180.54)

V.A. / Kamen Rider Fourze Music States Collecti...(CD) 2012/07/25 | 3000yen (US$ 37.61)	Sci-Fi Live Action / Theatrical Edition Tokumei Sentai Go-Bus...(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 2500yen (US$ 31.34)	Sci-Fi Live Action / Kousoku Sentai Turboranger Vol.3...(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 9800yen (US$ 122.87)	Original Soundtrack / Dark Knight Rises Original Motion Pictur...(CD) 2012/07/25 | 2400yen (US$ 30.09)
Japanese TV Series / Sabadoru DVD Regular Box(DVD) 2012/07/25 | 15000yen (US$ 188.06)	Documentary / Nakagauchi Masataka x Baba Toru Bokutach...(DVD) 2012/07/20 | 3800yen (US$ 47.64)	Sci-Fi Live Action / Jumborg Ace Vol.5(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 3800yen (US$ 47.64)	Sci-Fi Live Action / Jumborg Ace Vol.6(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 3800yen (US$ 47.64)
Japanese Movie / Ganbappe Hula Girl! - Fukushima ni Ikiru...(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 3800yen (US$ 47.64)	Original Soundtrack / "Love Rain" Original Soundtrack [CD+DVD]...(CD) 2012/07/25 | 3619yen (US$ 45.37)	Japanese Movie / The Woodsman and the Rain (Kitsutsuki to...(DVD) 2012/07/20 | 4700yen (US$ 58.93)	Japanese Movie / An Assassin(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 4700yen (US$ 58.93)
Sci-Fi Live Action / Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters Vol.1 [Blu-ray...(Blu-ray) 2012/07/21 | 6800yen (US$ 85.26)	Sci-Fi Live Action / Kamen Rider Fourze Vol.6 ...(Blu-ray) 2012/07/21 | 6800yen (US$ 85.26)	Sci-Fi Live Action / Theatrical Edition Kamen Rider Fourze Ma...(DVD) 2012/07/21 | 3800yen (US$ 47.64)	Japanese Movie / Nemuri Kyoshiro Akujyo Gari [Priced-down...(DVD) 2012/07/20 | 2800yen (US$ 35.11)

Always: Sunset on Third Street 2

Always: Sunset on Third Street 2

Always: Sunset On Third Street 2 is a pleasant movie follow-up to the 2005 hit released by Toho Co., Ltd. It is based on the manga by Ryohei Saigan.

Set in 1959 Tokyo, the movie continues the story of Ryunosuke Chagawa, a struggling writer who suffers from writer's block. He is the guardian of Junnosuke Furuyuki whose birth father (a very rich man) wants to take custody of his son, but Junnosuke is very happy living with Chagawa. The theme of their story is that love is more important than money. It is also the story of his undying love for Hiromi, a burlesque dancer who performs as "Betty."

The movie also is about the Norifumi Suzuki family, who lives across the street from Chagawa. Suzuki runs an auto repair shop and his wife Tomoe is the family's moral backbone. They take in niece Mika, an ill-mannered and spoiled rich kid whose father's business went bankrupt. It is a jarring change for her go from her former wealthy lifestyle to life with an auto mechanic's family. Eventually, she adjusts and learns to like her second cousin Ippei (and vice-versa).

The movie is generally a light comedy but also has a lot of pathos as the different characters struggle with life's situations. Chagawa falls victim to some con artists who prey on his desperation to win a prestigious literary prize. Just when it seems that all hope is lost for a happy ending, the movie pulls out some happy resolutions. Some may fault the movie for being overly optimistic (the line, "if you work hard, good things will happen to you" is repeatedly spoken), but it is a nice diversion.

All this takes place in a working-class Tokyo neighborhood under the shadow of Tokyo Tower.

A CGI Godzilla makes an cameo at the beginning of the movie following a "TohoScope" logo card. The special effects department did a great job in capturing the look of 1950s Tokyo, complete with streetcars.

The movie has been released on DVD-Region 2.

My grade: A-.

The Players:

Shin’ichi Tsutsumi - Norifumi Suzuki
Hiroko Yakushimaru - Tomoe Suzuki
Kazuki Koshimizu - Ippei Suzuki
Maki Horikita - Mutsuko Hoshino
Hidetaka Yoshioka - Ryunosuke Chagawa
Kenta Suga - Junnosuke Furuyuki
Koyuki - Hiromi Ishizaki
Fumiyo Kohinata - Yasunari Kawabuchi
Tomokazu Miura - Dr. Takuma
Masako Motai - Kin Ohta (called "Granny")