G-FAN #147

Above, G-FAN #147.

A little while ago, I went down to the post office at the Flying J to pick up today's mail.

Included was the current issue (No. 147) of G-FAN magazine. 

Before leaving the parking lot, I did some perusing and some things immediately caught my eyes.

First, several articles on last year's G-TOUR 4 were published. Most of them had plenty of interesting photographs to accompany them. I am sorry to have missed the tour, but the duration was a bit too long for me to rely upon friends to cat-sit my cat Sierra. In years past, either my mom or daughter did when I still lived in California. 

Next, on a sad note, a tribute article on the passings of three prominent G-Fans: Gene Rizzardi, Michael Schlesinger and Richard Pusateri. I first met Gene back in 2000 when we worked on G-FEST 2000 in Hollywood. I knew Mike Schlesinger from the days of the American Cinemateque. I posted previously about Richard Pusateri, whom I known since G-FEST '99 in Burbank. I wasn't aware of Schlesinger's passing, so that was a sad surprise.

As this issue is number 147, that means that three more issues remain until the magazine ceases at issue number 150, unless J. D. Lees can find someone to take it over. Even if he doesn't, the magazine had a great run for a fanzine. Usually, most fold after only a few issues, if even that. 

The first issue of G-FAN I saw was issue 36 in 1998. I spotted it at Tower Records in Sherman Oaks. I perused through it and bought it. The rest is history.

Japanese Yen At ¥152.56

Now that we're in November (where has this year flown?), it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen.

Currently, Godzilla fans are in Japan for G-TOUR 4. They are there from October 25th through November 5th, 2024. So they are taking advantage of the dollar's current strength against the yen. If the tour were of shorter duration, I would have joined them.

According to Jiji Press:

As of 5:00 p.m. on the 1st, the yen was trading at 152.56 to 57 yen per dollar on the Tokyo foreign exchange market, down 34 sen from the previous day (152.22 to 22 sen).

To read more, go here. 

Best Airlines To Fly To Japan

Above, the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 I flew to Japan on in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past 23 years, I have traveled to Japan eight times. 

I have flown there via several airlines. They include, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Korean Airlines. Of these, Korean Airlines is my personal favorite. Their food was great. I had a reasonable amount of legroom in Economy. They also had Astro Boy cartoons to be entertained by.

My last trip to Japan was on a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. I was disappointed with it. Although the world's biggest passenger plane, the plane's Economy legroom left much to be desired. I felt cramped and had to take walks every half hour.

Travel Noire has an article with their choices of the "best airlines" to travel to Japan with. The article doesn't list prices, though.(

Those planning on joining Daikaiju Enterprises' (G-FAN magazine) G-TOUR 4 this coming October may want to review the article before selecting an airline.

They begin with:

Summer has arrived, and traveling season is in full swing. Are you planning on adding Japan to the bucket list?

Japan is a brilliant and fascinating country, home to over 20 world heritage sites. Through tourism alone, Japan has attracted over 2.5 million international tourists since February of 2024. In recent times, out of 141 countries, they have rank high in cultural resources and business travel.

When traveling to a foreign country, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is choosing the airline for your journey. With numerous options, it’s essential to pick an airline that offers comfort, reliability, and unforgettable service.

So what is the best airline to fly to Japan? Let’s weigh our options. 

To read more, go here. 

Snow Day Reading and G-TOUR 4

 

Since today is a snow day, I was pleased to see the above magazines in my mailbox this morning, so I have something to read.

The post office at the Flying J did not have any postage stamps to sell, so I had to drive to Continental Divide to the post office there. But they weren't to open until 10:30. So, to kill 40 minutes until they opened, I went to the Indian Market and browsed around.

The clerk knows me and after telling her I was browsing to kill time to buy stamps at the post office, she told me she had some I could buy. So I bought them from her. For her generosity, I bought a falsa blanket (it's in the photo above). It is now on my living room sofa.

Above, G-TOUR 4 will be going to Japan to see Godzilla this coming October. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FAN had a great tribute to Godzilla suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma and many reactions to Godzilla Minus One (including one by me). It also contained all the details for the upcoming G-TOUR 4 to Japan that is set for October 25 to November 5.

I haven't been to Japan since 2015, due to my move to New Mexico and the pandemic. I am anxious to go. I am checking with a friend about going. If he can, I can swing the trip with the double-occupancy rates. 

The G-FAN website has also posted details on G-TOUR 4 including itinerary, costs, etc.

For details on G-TOUR 4, go here.

G-TOUR "Details Soon"

Above, Godzilla peers over the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FAN magazine (i.e., Daikaiju Enterprises) is planning G-TOUR 4 in October.

According to the official website:

After multiple cancellations, we are pleased to announce that G-TOUR 4 is finally a go, expected to depart in late October of 2024. Check back soon for complete details.

However, according the current issue of G-FAN, plans are complicated due to the massive influx of foreign tourism to Japan. Thanks to the current currency exchange rate (now at ¥145.68 per dollar in Tokyo), massive numbers of tourists are flocking to Japan.

I am seriously considering joining G-TOUR 4 (I went on the first G-TOUR in 2004). It depends upon the cost and duration.

For information on G-TOUR 4, keep tabs at the offical website at http://www.g-fan.com/html/gtour4.php

G-TOUR 4 Announced

Above, the announcement page from G-FAN.

The latest issue of G-FAN (no. 141) arrived in today's mail.

One item caught my attention during my initial thumb-through of the issue. It is on page 90. It is an announcement of G-TOUR 4 to Japan. It is to take place sometime in October/November 2024. The exact dates are to be announced.

G-FAN publisher/editor J. D. Lees and I discussed G-TOUR back in April when I emailed him about the 70% increase in the prices for the Japan Rail Passes. He said at the time that he was unsure if there would be a G-TOUR 4. The price increases may affect G-TOUR. In any case, the price increases certainly were not a help.

Obviously, he has decided to go through with G-TOUR 4. 

Depending on the cost of it and the duration, I may be interested in joining it. The duration part is of concern. In years past, when my mom or daughter babysat my cat(s), it was no problem. My mom passed away in December 2010 and my daughter is in California while I am in New Mexico. I could have friends babysit Sierra, but it depends on the duration of the tour. 

My last trip to Japan was in October 2015, so I am a bit overdue for a return visit.

I have to wait and see when details are made available. 

In any case, if one has been considering a trip to Japan but are apprehensive of going alone, this would provide an opportunity to visit the Land of Godzilla with like-minded fans. We had a great time during the first G-TOUR in 2004 (Yeesh, almost 20 years ago!) I recommend it!

Keep watch at www.g-fan.com for updates.

Japan To Further Ease Border Curbs

Above, Miyajima's Great Torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is still timidly easing border restrictions for foreign tourism. Visas are still required. Visa waivers for some nations had been suspended during the pandemic.

Reuters reported:

TOKYO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Japan will further ease border controls from Sept. 7 by raising the ceiling for daily entrants to 50,000 and freeing up entry for travellers from all countries on package tours without the need for guides, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after returning to work from a COVID-19 infection, Kishida said Japan will proceed with further easing steps, taking into account virus infections in and outside of the country, travellers' demand and border controls adopted by other countries.

This is still not sufficient enough to draw more foreign tourists. The Japanese government is hoping that this would draw people in to exploit the weak yen.

G-TOUR 4 had to be cancelled due to the restrictions imposed on foreign tourism. It was planned to take place this autumn.

To read more, go here.

G-TOUR 4 Cancelled

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura visited by the first G-TOUR. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With Japan's restrictions/rules on foreign tourists, it is no surprise that G-TOUR 4 to Japan set for this autumn has been cancelled. 

According to the official G-TOUR website:

We are very sad to announce that this fall’s G-TOUR 4 has been cancelled. Japan’s anti-COVID restrictions on foreign tourists simply won’t allow all the fun, experiences, and opportunities we intended to provide. Thanks to all who signed up, and very sorry for your disappointment.

I have to wonder if Japan enjoys shooting itself in the foot. Despite past and current actions by the Japanese government in combating COVID-19, citizens are still getting infected, although by less lethal variants. The exchange rate of the yen against the dollar and other currencies would be a boon to their economy and foreigners would benefit in getting more yen for their buck. But, they are still being rigid in their approach.

Maybe G-TOUR 4 can be re-scheduled for next year. Only time will tell.

Dollar Tops ¥128.30 Before Easing In Tokyo

We're now into a new month and it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in Tokyo trading.

This time, the picture is somewhat brighter as foreign tourists are being allowed again in Japan starting in June 10. The only caveat is that one has to be a part of an organized tour group, such as G-TOUR that is coming up this fall. So Americans traveling to Japan can take advantage of the weakened yen.

According Jiji Press:

Tokyo, May 31 (Jiji Press)--The dollar hit a two-week high above 128.30 yen before losing ground in Tokyo trading Tuesday.

 At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at 127.75-75 yen, up from 127.36-36 yen at the same time Monday.

To read more, go here.

Japan To Allow Foreign Tour Groups As Soon As This Month

Above, fans may be able to visit the Big G at Toho
Studios as soon as this month. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is looking to allow foreign tourist groups into the country as soon a this month.

The Japan Times is reporting that this "experiment" will be a "lifeline" for Japan's ailing tourism industry. This is good news for tour operators and for those looking to participate in this year's G-TOUR by Daikaiju Enterprises set for this autumn.

According to the Japan Times:

Japan is set to experiment with opening its borders to small groups of vaccinated foreign tourists as soon as this month, Fuji News Network reported Friday, in a potential lifeline for the country’s ailing travel industry.

Those wishing to visit must have undergone three COVID-19 vaccination shots and be part of a package tour with a fixed itinerary, FNN said, citing multiple government officials. The limited resumption of inbound tourism will be treated as an experiment and, if infections do not spread, the program will be expanded, it said.

Japan is also looking at doubling the daily entry cap to 20,000 and accepting overseas tourists from June, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources. That report said a decision could come by the end of this month.

The reports came a day after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech in London that he planned to relax pandemic-related border restrictions starting in June, in line with other wealthy democracies. He later added a note of caution, telling reporters he needed to look at the state of infections after the Golden Week holiday period, which wraps up this weekend.

To read more, go here. 

G-TOUR 4

Above, the first G-TOUR took the group to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Daikaiju Enterprises is currently planning G-TOUR 4 to Japan.

On the official website, it is posted:

G-TOUR 4 2022

Daikaiju Enterprises is pleased to announce a return to Japan for G-TOUR 4, taking place from November 1st through November 12th, 2022. G-TOUR is the name given to a series of Godzilla-centric voyages to Japan and is an opportunity to visit iconic sites from kaiju cinema, soak up some of the country’s incredible natural beauty and culture, and engage in shopping experiences found nowhere else.

At present, the tour is on, but Japan currently has a ban on foreign tourism due to the pandemic.

One of the good points is that it is planned for November, the autumn season. Hopefully, by then, all tourism restrictions of Japan will have been lifted. As of now, foreign tourism to Japan is banned. Besides that, as the website also states, it also avoids the stifling heat of Japan's summer. 

The planned itinerary is very inviting, if I can get a cat-sitter for those 12 days I would sign up. I was planning to go to Japan two years ago, but the pandemic nixed that. (I went on the first G-TOUR back in 2004.)

For more information, go here.

G-TOUR 4 Postponed To 2021

Above, Godzilla peers over rooftops in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following was inevitable.

G-FAN's J. D. Lees posted the following on Twitter concerning this year's G-TOUR to Japan:

Japan's recently announced travel restrictions make an informed decision about whether to join G-TOUR 4 by the July 31 deadline impossible. Will work with MYK to reschedule for 2021. More information to come, and apologies for the disappointment. - J.D.

It is unfortunate that the tour has to be postponed, but the health and safety of participants is paramount to anything else.

The "show will go on" next year. Unless the remaining "Seven Plaques" decide to materialize. (Just kidding!)