How To Avoid Tourist Hordes In Kyoto

Above, tourists pack the Kiyomizu-dera stage in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I was in Kyoto, Japan was in October 2015. The pandemic was five years away and Japanese locals were beginning to complain about overtourism in the city, while at the same time, enjoyed the money tourists brought to their economy.

When we were in Kyoto, there were many people visiting the main attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkakuji. We signed up for a bus tour to visit those places at the JR Kyoto Station (famous for the final battle between Irys and Gamera in Gamera 3 in 1999). 

Above, our tour group posed for a photo at Kiyomizu-dera. 

Although crowded, we still enjoyed the tours.

The Australian Financial Review has posted an article on how to avoid tourist hordes.

They begin it with:

It’s 5.30am when I pull back the sheets and greet the dawn from my sumptuous sanctuary at Kyoto’s Park Hyatt hotel.

It is not easy prying myself from this serene 45-square-metre room with its views over a manicured Japanese garden, but the Park Hyatt’s ultra-convenient location means some of Japan’s most picturesque streets are literally on my doorstep.

And there is only one way to beat the crowds in Japan’s former ancient capital – get up ridiculously early.

Even before Japan’s plunging yen started attracting post-lockdown visitors in record numbers, the country’s ancient capital was suffering from serious over-tourism. There are now queues and selfie-stick-wielding masses clogging top sights such as the Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Taisha with its famous red gates year round.

To read more, go here. 

Happy Birthday Kaneko-San!

Above, from left, Shusuke Kaneko, yours truly and J. D. Lees at G-FEST in 2003. Photo by Richard Pusateri.

Here's one of those "I thought he was older" kind of revelations. I hadn't given it any thought until now.

Japanese director Shusuke Kaneko, who directed the acclaimed Heisei Gamera series of movies in the 1990s and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) turns 67 today. He was the recipient of the 2019 "Mangled Skyscraper Award" at G-FEST XXVI in Rosemont, Illinois (outside of Chicago).

Above, Shusuke Kaneko receiving the 2019 "Mangled Skyscraper Award" at G-FEST XXVI. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I actually did think he was a few years older than me, but he's actually almost a year and a half younger.

Well, a big Happy Birthday to Kaneko-san!

Why Is Kyoto So Popular

Above, Kyoto's famous Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Vacation trips to Japan are still in the distant future due to the pandemic, but when the country does open up to foreign tourists, Kyoto should be at the top of the list of places to visit.

I have been to Kyoto twice and enjoyed it both times.

The Travel has an article on why people are "falling in love" with Kyoto.

They begin it with:

Kyoto is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Japan. Kyoto has a very long and impressive history and was first established as the seat of Japan's imperial court way back in 794. It remained the imperial capital up until 1869 after 11 centuries as the capital. Like Germany, Japan was devastated after World War Two with many of its cities and other heritage sites leveled and destroyed. Fortunately, Kyoto escaped much of this wartime firebombing and devastation and so it remains largely preserved.

If you are traveling to Japan and plan to experience Japan's rich culture, then Kyoto is certainly the place to go. Kyoto is one of Japan's and arguably the world's greatest cultural and historical cities.

For Godzilla fans, Kyoto was prominently featured in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) and, for Gamera fans, in Gamera 3 (1999). 

To read more, go here.

ANI News: Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Above, pedestrians crossing Shibuya Scramble. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For many kaiju fans, they first became aware of Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing (or Shibuya Scramble) through such films as Gamera 3 (1999) and Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000). It is one of the places in Japan that they make it a point to visit.

Currently, the Shibuya shopping district is undergoing redevelopment, so it will change a bit. It was first built in 1973.

Above, the famous statue of Hachiko is near Shibuya Scramble. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

ANI News has an article on Shibuya Crossing. So whenever this pandemic ends, fans can finally be able go visit Shibuya Crossing.

To see the full article, go here.

Things To Do In Kyoto Station

Above, an inside view of Kyoto Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For many of us Americans, the first time we took notice of Kyoto Station was watching the 1999 movie, Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. It was inside Kyoto Station that the kaiju Gamera battled the monster Iris (or Irys).

As it turns out, besides being in Japanese monster movie history, Kyoto Station has things to do besides catching or disembarking a train. Live Japan has listed 8 of those things.

They begin with:

Kyoto Station is the first stopover for most visitors to Kyoto. Having a modern art-esque look, the large building actually has many attractions and places to visit inside. 

The author, a Kyoto native, will introduce you to several special unique things to do at Kyoto Station, from spots where you can enjoy great views, savor delicious cuisine and find the perfect gifts! 

Kyoto Station Building, reflecting Kyoto Tower off its mirrored surface. The building has a grand presence and amazes visitors from everywhere! 

The building itself was constructed in 1997 and was designed by Hiroshi Hara. He also worked on many innovative modern structures such as the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka and Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido. 

The station concourse is spacious, where lines and curves, geometric patterns, and abstract objects are intermingled, creating a mysterious space. Hotel Granvia Kyoto is connected to the east side of the station building and JR Kyoto Isetan is connected to the west side. Between the two buildings is a large open area with a ceiling and glass wall, there is also the aerial Skyway Tunnel passageway some 45 meters above ground that connects the east and west structures. 

In the Kyoto Station Building there are many facilities with plenty of things to do to spend your whole day here.

Above, a view of Kyoto Station from a Shinkansen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kyoto Station is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Things to Do At The New Shibuya Scramble Square

Above, Shibuya Scramble (or Shibuya Crossing) in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Shibuya Scramble (or Shibuya Crossing) is a familiar place in Tokyo to many due to such movies as Lost In Translation and Gamera 3.

It is currently undergoing a "major transformation" with construction. One new edifice has gone up and will be opening this coming Friday. It is called Shibuya Scramble Square.

Time Out Tokyo has an article giving readers a peek at five things to do at Shibuya Scramble Square.

They begin with:

Shibuya Scramble, the busiest and most iconic pedestrian crossing in the world, attracts hordes of tourists keen to not only witness but also join in the action. Many visitors, however, are often puzzled by the surrounding prime real estate, where a number of buildings look to be perpetually under construction. The scaffolding is a sign that Shibuya is going through a monumental transformation that will see the city reinvent itself completely by 2027. 

Come Friday November 1, Shibuya will unveil a new addition to the city with the opening of Shibuya Scramble Square’s highly anticipated east building. The 47-storey shopping-and-office complex positions itself as a new Shibuya landmark offering these new attractions.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Cheapo: Guide and History of Shibuya 109

Above, the Shibuya 109 department store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally speaking, Godzilla and Gamera fans, the Shibuya 109 department store best known to them because the store was blasted in Gamera 3 in 1999 and in Godzilla x Megaguirus in 2000.

But there's more to Shibuya 109, it is "home" to Tokyo's youth fashion culture.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on the history of Shibuya 109 as well as a guide to what's inside.

They start with:

Founded in 1979 by the Tokyu company, Shibuya 109 was, in part—initially at least, developed in a spirit of competition. At that time, the Seibu department store chain was already gaining serious traction in central Shibuya, an area known for consumer-heavy culture, so Tokyu thought it was time to muscle in on the action. In doing so they changed the neighborhood’s landscape literally and metaphorically.

To read more, go here.  

Fastest and Cheapest Way To Get To Kyoto From Tokyo

Above, JR Kyoto Station, where Gamera and Irys had their final battle in Gamera 3. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the most interesting cities in Japan is its ancient capital, Kyoto.

For those who have never been to Kyoto, it should be included in all Japan travel itineraries. There are many ways to get to Kyoto (my preference is by shinkansen) and Tokyo Cheapo has an article on them.

They start it with:

Tokyo and Kyoto, along with neighboring Osaka, are usually at the top of the itinerary when you visit Japan. Tokyo is commonly regarded as a hub of modernity, whereas Kyoto is seen as a city of tradition. The distance between the two is roughly 450km, so how do you get from Tokyo to Kyoto? 

There are plenty of ways, and what to choose depends on whether you consider time or cost to be more important. Probably your best bet is getting the amazing-value Japan Rail Pass, especially if you have more than just Tokyo and Kyoto on your itinerary. If it’s just one Tokyo to Kyoto trip, consider getting a discounted round-trip bullet train package. But read on for the full low-down.

Of coure, taking the shinkansen will have visitors arrive at the JR Kyoto Station, where Gamera had the final battle with Irys in Gamera 3 (1999). So right off, kaiju fans will visit a monster movie location.

To read more, go here. 

20th Anniversary of "Gamera 3"

When one gets to a certain age, time seems to accelerate. A lot of us "old-timers" think that "twenty years ago" means the 1970s or 1980s.

Actually, strange as it may seem, twenty years ago was 1999. And, on March 6, 1999, the release of  Daiei's Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris (the title given on IMDb) took place in Japan. The movie was directed Shusuke Kaneko.

The storyline (in case you geezers forgot):

This final installment of the recent Gamera trilogy begins with schoolgirl Ayana discovering a large egg in a cave that, according to legend, houses demons. The egg hatches into a small monster, which Ayana decides to raise and quickly develops as psychic bond with. As Ayana's monster, named Iris, grows to adulthood, the flying turtle Gamera begins to take an interest in this new potential threat. Who will be the victor in the final battle, and how much of Japan will be left standing at the end?

To this day, the movie's special effects are considered by many to be the best ever of all traditional Japanese "suitmation and miniatures" special effects. They were directed by Shinji Higuchi.

Well, happy 20th anniversary!

Tokyo Cheapo: 10 Free Things To Do In Shibuya

Above, the famous statue of Hachikō at Shibuya Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fans of Japanese monster movies are familiar with the Shibuya section of Tokyo.

It had been featured in such movies as Gamera 3 (1999), Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) and in the comedy, Lost In Translation (2003). Shibuya earned a spotlight page in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 27.

Shibuya is known as the "mecca" of Tokyo's youth culture, but older folks can also enjoy hanging out there.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on ten free things one can do in Shibuya. But, if one wants to spend some yen while in the area, there are plenty of shops and eateries to choose from.

They begin with:

It may seem like this suburb only loves you for your money, with shiny shops and enticing restaurants beckoning from every nook and cranny. But it is possible to be in the ‘Buya without blowing big bucks. Here are 10 fun ideas for free things to do in Shibuya, so that you can enjoy an inexpensive jaunt to Tokyo’s youth mecca.

Above, a shop in Shibuya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Kyoto Tower Virtual Reality Bungee Jump

Above, Kyoto Tower. The new attraction is located
 in its observation deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

How would you like to bungee jump from the stage of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto? Well, from now to December 24 you can! 

Well, sort of.

Kyoto Tower (blasted by Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II in 1993) has opened the Kyoto Tower Virtual Reality Bungee Jump attraction. 

According to The Asahi Shimbun:

KYOTO--Kiyomizudera, one of the nation's most celebrated temples, is known for its wooden stage built off the main hall that offers panoramic views of the hillsides below.
While no one would advise anyone to contemplate the 13-meter leap from the stage, 

those wanting to experience the thrill of a steep jump can now do so at Kyoto Tower in complete safety, courtesy of virtual reality. 

Thrill seekers don VR goggles while seated in special chairs 34 meters above ground on the observation deck of the structure in the city’s Shimogyo Ward.

Above, the stage of Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kyoto Tower is located just across the street from the JR Kyoto Station (where Gamera and Irys had their final battle in Gamera 3).

To read more, go here. 

Typhoon Damages JR Kyoto Station's Roof

Above, JR Kyoto Station in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not since the battle between Gamera and Irys in Gamera 3 (1999) that tore apart the inside of the JR Kyoto Station has there been a calamity there.

The typhoon (Typhoon Jebi) that rolled (and smashed) into Japan this week caused some parts of the roof to collapse at Kyoto Station.

To see the damage, go here.

Shibuya 109: A Makeover and Logo Contest

Above, the Shibuya 109. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most Godzilla and Gamera fans are familiar with the Shibuya 109 building. It appeared in Gamera 3 and in Godzilla x Megaguirus. In both movies, the building didn't fare too well, if you get my meaning.

The building has been a landmark for about 39 years and it is about to get a makeover.

According to SoraNews24 (formerly known as RocketNews 24):

Your chance to see your design up in lights at one of the world’s busiest intersections.

Shibuya’s 109 building is one of the most famous landmarks in Tokyo, and a dream destination for young women looking to shop for cute and fashionable clothing and goods inside the multi-storey shopping mall. 

Located right by the famous scramble crossing, the building has been looming over the intersection with its large “Shibuya 109” sign for 39 years, and now, to mark its upcoming 40th anniversary in 2019, the building’s operators are looking to give the ageing beauty a facelift, with an all-new logo.

Designs for the new logo, which will feature on advertising for the shopping mall, as well as on the outside of the building, will be selected from the public through a special contest that’s currently running from 18 April to 20 May. Not only will the winning design change the cityscape at Shibuya’s famous scramble crossing, it will also net the winning designer a prize of 1.09 million yen (US$9,967.90), while three runners-up will be awarded 109,000 yen ($996.62) each.

To read more, go here.

Shibuya 109 "Most Likely" To Collapse In Quake

Above, the Shibuya 109 building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Megaguirus blasted it with sonic shock waves in Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) and Gamera blasted it in Gamera 3 (1999). The building, in reality, still stands, but there's a new threat to the structure. 

According to an article in Japan Today:

TOKYO - Since 1979, the Shibuya 109 skyscraper has stood tall, literally, as the epicenter of trendy young women’s fashion in Tokyo. A recent government study, though, considered what would happen if it were the epicenter of an earthquake, and the results weren’t nearly as pretty as the gyaru and one-kei outfits that have been purchased at 109 over the years. 

The study examined the stability of 852 buildings in Tokyo, including large structures such as hospitals, schools, and department stores as well as buildings located near major transportation arteries such as high-speed Shinkansen rail tracks and expressways. Were a magnitude-six earthquake (on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, which differs from the Richter scale and tops out at seven), centered below Tokyo, to strike the capital, 251 of the examined buildings are in danger of collapsing, according to the study. 

Out of those 251 buildings, researchers subdivided them into three categories, based on how likely they are to topple in the face of a magnitude-six quake. Thankfully, 250 of the buildings were classified as Type 2 or 3, the less likely to fall. But the one and only building to receive a Type 1 designation, indicating the greatest danger of collapse? Shibuya’s 109.

To read more, go here. 

The Makeover of Shibuya Station

Shibuya Station and Shibuya Crossing probably first caught the attention of kaiju fans through the battle between Gamera and several Gyaos in Gamera 3 in 1999.

Above, construction already started at Shibuya Station in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Currently, Shibuya Station is undergoing a major reshaping through a big redevelopment project. We will likely not find the station's look a familiar one once the redevelopment project is completed.

According to Nippon.com:

Tokyo’s bustling neighborhood of Shibuya has a reputation as a fashion and pop-culture hub, drawing hordes of visitors from around Japan and further afield. Easily recognized for its lively and much-photographed scramble crossing, the area around Shibuya Station is undergoing a massive makeover ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 that will reshape the look and feel of one of the metropolis’s most popular cultural and consumer enclaves. 

The long-term project has already been underway for some time, and once complete it will provide Shibuya with a new skyline of high-rise buildings and also significantly bolster the area’s infrastructure. Heralded as a once-a-century undertaking, the renovation is scheduled to be mostly completed in time to greet the influx of tourists and other visitors expected to descend on Tokyo for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2020. 

Shibuya Station, a pulsing commuter hub housing a complex tangle of nine train and subway lines, is set to undergo a major revamp that will make it easier for travelers to navigate the sprawling terminal.

To read more, go here.

What's At Shibuya Crossing?

Above, Shibuya Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of Tokyo's favorite meeting spots is Shibuya Crossing. It is also the gateway to Tokyo's youth culture and where Gamera blasted a Gyaos (and Shibuya Station in the process) in Gamera 3 in 1999.

Japan Blog has an article on things to see and do in Shibuya, starting with Shibuya Crossing.

They begin with:

Shibuya Crossing may be a small area but it’s one of the most jampacked places in Japan every single day. As the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, it accommodates thousands of people every day crossing from five directions. Additionally, the traffic lights have a two-minute cycle and the crowds thin out only after midnight when the Shibuya stations finally close.

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto's 50 Overrated Tourist Spots

Above, Kyoto Tower made no. 1 on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who wish to immerse themselves in Japanese history and culture, a visit to Kyoto is a must.

The are many places to see and visit in Kyoto, while most are very popular with foreign visitors, some have found them to be overrated. A survey commissioned by goo Ranking (interesting name, eh?) found 50 places in Kyoto to be overrated by those surveyed. I found it interesting that the JR Kyoto Station (featured in Gamera 3) is not on the list.

Before going into the rankings, What Japan Thinks wrote:

Kyoto city and the surrounding prefecture are full of historic spots worth a visit, but of course some places are going to be over-hyped. So, goo Ranking recently conducted a survey looking at Kyoto prefecture tourist spots that didn’t live up to expectations.

I would disagree on several of them being overrated, but then that's just me.

To see what they are, go here. 

Everything You Need To Know About Kyoto

Above, Kyoto Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For a great change of pace from the hustle & bustle of Tokyo, a trip down to Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto is just the thing.

I have been in Kyoto twice and enjoyed it both times. I definitely recommend a visit.

The Telegraph (U.K.) has an article on everything you need to known about Kyoto.

It begins with;

A red-lipped, kimono-clad geisha vanishing around a corner. Riverside cherry trees bursting into cloudlike bloom. Zen gardens with raked sand and haiku-inspiring rock formations. There are perhaps few more evocative city names than “Kyoto”. While Tokyo is all high-speed trains, flashes of neon and skyscrapers, Kyoto moves to an altogether different rhythm. 

A calming antidote to the futuristic capital, Kyoto is synonymous with ancient temples, tea ceremony masters, traditional ryokan inns and centuries-old craftsmanship.

For monster fans, an additional reason to visit Kyoto is to see places featured in the movies. Kyoto Tower was blasted by Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1984) and Kiyomizu-dera was featured briefly in the same movie. In Gamera 3 (1999), JR Kyoto Station was the battleground of Gamera and Irys.

Above, the cavernous interior of the JR Kyoto Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

What's There To See At Shibuya Crossing?

Above, Shibuya Crossing. People cross it from 5 directions. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those of you who are Japanese giant monster (kaiju) fans are familiar with Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.

Shibuya Crossing was featured during the battle sequence between Gamera and several Gyaos birds in Gamera 3 (1999).

But Shibuya Crossing is a popular area for Tokyo's "yutes" (youths) and the Hachikō Statue is a famous meeting spot. It is also known as "Shibuya Scramble".

What else is there to see at Shibuya Crossing? Japan Blog has the answers for you in an August 2016 post.

They begin with:

Shibuya Crossing may be a small area but it’s one of the most jampacked places in Japan every single day. As the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, it accommodates thousands of people every day crossing from five directions. Additionally, the traffic lights have a two-minute cycle and the crowds thin out only after midnight when the Shibuya stations finally close.

To read more, go here. 

Shibuya Area Map & Sightseeing Information

Above, Shibuya Crossing near the Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In Gamera 3 (1999), Gamera and several Gyaos birds battled and reduced the Tokyo district of Shibuya to a burning rubble.

In Godzilla x Megaguirus (2001), Megaguirus flooded most of the district. What wasn't flooded was torn apart by sonic blasts when Megaguirus took flight. Fortunately, Shibuya has been rebuilt and the Shibuya Station area is now undergoing redevelopment.

Live Japan has posted an area map and sightseeing information for those who wish to visit the district.

It begins with:

Famous for its dizzyingly busy scramble crossing and its shopping centers, Shibuya is a place where people of all ages can have fun day and night but only if they are willing to brave the agoraphobia-inducing crowds. Most first-time visitors will first stop and say hi to Hachiko, the dog whose love and devotion has been bringing people to tears for almost a century. From a village in the 19th century, Shibuya became one of the most famous Tokyo district. This is especially true among the youth who come to enjoy worldwide renowned fashion department stores, such as the Shibuya 109, located close to the Station. A little further away, along the Dogenzaka area, some of the best nightclubs, restaurants and bars in the city are always attract a diversified clientele.

Shibuya is spotlighted on page 27 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To read more, go here.