Godzilla and Kong Unite Against SpaceGodzilla

Above, the SpaceGodzilla from Toho's 1994 Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

The next entry in Legendary's Godzilla franchise, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova had a test screening on February 9.

As such, it has been revealed that the main villain in the movie will be SpaceGodzilla. 

According to Maxblizz:

The test screening for Godzilla x Kong: Supernova was reportedly held on February 9, 2026. It is reported that reactions after the screening are mostly positive, with some negative responses.

It is confirmed that SpaceGodzilla is the main villain in the movie. The character is described as being pretty recognizable compared to the original design.

Godzilla is the main focus of the film and has the most screen time, but Kong still has more screen time compared to Godzilla’s role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

SpaceGodzilla is created by a greater threat, which is teased at the end of the film. Despite that, SpaceGodzilla still has his own free will and is not controlled by it.

To read more, go here.

Foreign Visitors To Japan Hits Record 3.43 Million In July

Above, Fukuoka Tower, featured in Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Travel to Japan by foreigners in July hit a new record. As G-TOUR 5 took place in July, its numbers were likely included in the tally.

Nippon.com reported:

Tokyo, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press)--The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in July rose 4.4 pct from a year before to 3,437,000, a record high for the month, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.

The latest figure surpassed the previous July record of 3,292,602, set last year, driven by an increase in visitors, primarily from mainland China, Taiwan, the United States and France, during school holidays.

 To read more, go here.

5 Hidden Japan Destinations

Above, Fukuoka Tower, which was featured in Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Say.com has a spotlight post of "five hidden destinations in Japan" that is sponsored by Singapore Airlines and the Japan National Tourism Organization.

I have been to some of these places and agree that they are worth a visit.

They begin with:

While Malaysians often flock to Tokyo, Kyoto and other big cities for holidays, there are many lesser known places in Japan that are just as beautiful as the well-known cities

To read more, go here. 

Fukuoka Travel Tips

Above, Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fukuoka is fast becoming a popular travel destination. I paid it a visit back in 2007 after an all-day shinkansen ride from Tokyo and after visiting other places in Kyushu first.

Kaiju fans are familiar with Fukuoka as it was used in Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla (1994) and in Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995). The most prominent landmarks of Fukuoka used in those movies were Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Dome (now called the Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome).

Japan Visitor has some tips for places to see while in Fukuoka.

They begin with:

Fukuoka is gaining a reputation as an alternative city in Japan to visit due to its relaxed atmosphere. It is the crown jewel of the Kyushu area and both a cultural and commercial hub. 

Fukuoka has a wide variety of choices in terms of places to to visit and things to do. Though a large, modern city it still retains its charm and cultural heritage. As a result the city is fast becoming popular with tourists from around the world. 

Here are some highlights visitors to Fukuoka can enjoy.

To read more, go here. 

The Power of Fukuoka Tower

Above, Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Godzilla fans are familiar with a tall structure that was prominently featured in the 1994 Toho feature film, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla.

That structure was Fukuoka Tower.

Australia's Gold Coast Bulletin has an interesting article on Fukuoka Tower.

They begin with:

DOMINATING the shore line of the southern Japanese city of Fukuoka is the impressive mirrored Fukuoka Tower, the tallest seaside structure in the country. 

Fukuoka is on the island of Kyushu and is actually closer to Seoul than Tokyo. 

The city has a population of 1.42 million and opens out onto the Sea of Genkai which features many islands and clean beaches. 

The best way to take it all in is from the Tower’s observation deck, 123m above sea level. 

Going up in the glass elevator, you realise that all that shimmers on the outside is not what it seems with the structure mostly hollow inside of the 8000 mirrored panels. 

The Fukuoka Tower’s main purpose is to serve as television broadcast facility with an overall height of 234m.

In 2007, I took a whirlwind trip to Kyushu and visited Fukuoka. One of the places I visited while there was Fukuoka Tower, which is also within easy walking distance from Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, which was featured in Gamera, The Guardian of the Universe (1995).

Above, a view from Fukuoka Tower's observation level. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fukuoka is spotlighted on page 45 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To read more about Fukuoka Tower, go here.

Godzilla From "Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla" By NECA

Above, Godzilla all packaged. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I took a little jaunt over to the local Walgreen's drug store to pick up a few things and I saw a NECA Godzilla from Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla on the shelf.

It seemed to cry out, "Buy me!" So I did.

Above, the unpackaged Godzilla. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's Five Tallest Towers

Above, Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Towers have appeared in a number of kaiju movies over the years.

Tokyo Tower first appeared in Mothra (1961) and Fukuoka Tower was featured in Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), to name just two of them

Japan Info has listed the five tallest towers of Japan. Most of them have been attacked by giant monsters in the movies.

To see the five towers, go here.

Fukuoka's Seaside Momochi

Above, Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is an area in Fukuoka, Japan on the island of Kyushu that attracted both Godzilla and Gamera during the 1990s.

It just so happens that Gaijinpot.com has an article on this section of Fukuoka. It is "Fukuoka's Seaside Momochi."

Within Seaside Momochi are Fukuoka Tower, featured in 1994's Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla and the Yafouku! Dome in 1995's Gamera: Guardian of the Universe.

The Gaijinpot.com article begins with:

People that come to Fukuoka tend to focus on Tenjin and Hakata. This is understandable because these two areas are very much the heart of the city; you can shop till you drop, see all of Fukuoka’s most famous temples and try all of its best food in these areas. 

It surprised me then, when a friend of mine came to visit last week and said, “Lets skip Hakata and head to Momochi instead!” Seaside Momochi (シーサイドももち) to give it its proper name is an area created in 1989 from reclaimed land along Hakata Bay in the north of the city. It’s an incredibly attractive part of Fukuoka with wide streets lined with trees, no phone or electricity lines above ground and plenty of interesting architecture to gaze at whilst you walk.

I visited Seaside Momochi during my trip to Kyushu in 2007. I took a special bus from Fukuoka's Hakata Station to get there.

Above, the Yafouku! Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kaiju fans can see the aforementioned two monster movie locales very easily as the Yafouku! Dome and Fukuoka Tower are within easy walking distance.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan spotlights Fukuoka on page 45.

To read more on Seaside Momochi, go here.

50 Things To Do In Fukuoka

Above, Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fukuoka is well-known to kaiju fans for being featured in three prominent monster movies over the years. The first being Rodan (1956).

Then, the city was featured in two movies in the 1990s: Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) and Gamera: The Guardian of the Universe (1995).

Fukuoka is located on the island of Kyushu, which is about an 8-hour ride on the shinkansen from Tokyo. Flights to Fukuoka can be taken from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. I visited Fukuoka in 2007. I took the shinkansen to get there.

Besides being centers of action in the aforementioned monster movies, there are other things to see in do in Fukuoka. Since we're nearing vacation season, now's the time to start planning for your trip.

Above, Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tsunagu Japan has a list of 50 things to do in Fukuoka. Two of the items on the list, Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, were featured in two of the movies mentioned above.

Before getting to the list, they wrote:

Don't know what to do in Fukuoka? These spots and activities were recommended by people from Fukuoka themselves, so try to see and do as much of them as you can!

Fukuoka's monster attractions are featured in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 45.

To see what the other 48 items are on the list, go here.

Fukuoka Walking Tours

Above, Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fukuoka is known to kaiju fans as being featured in Rodan (1956), Gamera: The Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994).

Landmarks used in those movies include Hakata Bay, Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Yafouku! Dome.

Gaijinpot.com has posted an interesting article on places to see in Fukuoka by just taking a walking tour or two. Although the locations used in the aforementioned kaiju movies aren't part of the walking tours, there are other things to see and enjoy.

They begin the article with:

All around Japan people are starting to venture out after a long, grueling winter tucked into their kotatsu. Spring is on its way, and heading outside to have fun is finally a real possibility. Soon it will be time to pack a picnic, pick up some friends and head for the nearest cherry blossom tree for a Hanami party. 

There are plenty of alternatives to Hanami viewings though. Spring is also the perfect time to explore a new place on foot, and there is nowhere better suited for a walking tour than Fukuoka city. Other Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka are just too big to walk around, but Fukuoka offers you the chance to see everything that the city has to offer, simply by walking through its streets (as long as you pick the right ones!).

To read more to find out what you can see during a walking tour of Fukuoka, go here. 

Tourism Impacted By Mount Aso Eruptions

Source: Google Maps.

Outside of the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kyushu has the largest concentration of kaiju-related locations and landmarks.

They include:

• Fukuoka (featured in Rodan, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla and Gamera: Guardian of the Universe)
• Sasebo (featured in Rodan)
• Mount Aso (featured in Rodan)

Of these places, Mount Aso is currently somewhat off-limits due to a magmatic eruption of the volcano on November 25. There is currently a no-entry alert within 1 kilometer of the crater. But some local businesses are trying to find ways of getting around this.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

ASO, Kumamoto Prefecture--Although the continuing eruption of Mount Aso is hurting tourism, including the cancellation of accommodations in the surrounding area, local businesses are trying to lure visitors back, even promoting the view of the smoking mountain.

The volcano is still continuing to spew smoke. This is causing financial hardship for businesses who rely on tourists.

Mount Aso is spotlighted on page 45 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To read more, go here.

Little Godzilla Suit

Above, the Little Godzilla suit in special effects director Koichi Kawakita's office in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The adopted child of Godzilla of the Heisei Series of Godzilla movies first appeared in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) as Baby Godzilla or, rather, an infant Godzillasaurus. Hurricane Ryu was the man in the Baby Godzilla suit.

The next movie, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) featured a little older Baby Godzilla, who was now called Little Godzilla. The above suit was worn by Little Frankie in that movie. While much improved over the Minilla suit of the Showa series, many fans thought this suit to be too cute to be convincing.

According to Wikipedia:

By the time of Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, Baby, who by now had grown to almost a third of Godzilla's height; (probably due to exposure to Godzilla's radiation). Now known as Little Godzilla, he interacted periodically with the human characters for a portion of the film, taking a particular liking to Major Yuki of G-Force and establishing a psychic bond with Miki Saegusa. Little Godzilla was injured and imprisoned in a cage of crystals by SpaceGodzilla upon his arrival to Earth and remained caged until SpaceGodzilla's defeat by the combined might of Godzilla and M.O.G.U.E.R.A.

The following movie, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), had Little Godzilla grown into Godzilla Junior. The suit looked like a younger version of the adult Godzilla, but with smaller dorsal spines. At least the suit wasn't such a cute one to be unconvincing. It was worn by Hurricane Ryu in the film.

10 Things To Do In Fukuoka

Above, the Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu, is best-known as a battleground in Rodan (1956), Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994). Of the three, fans can visit the easily recognizable Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome, featured in the Gamera movie, and Fukuoka Tower in the Godzilla movie. They are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 45.

Above, Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But, Fukuoka has other places to visit and Time Out Tokyo has a new post on "10 Things To Do In Fukuoka."

They start it off with:

If Tokyo is the friend who rushes you between sights and social engagements to a turbo timetable, Fukuoka is the relaxed southern cousin who sits you in a sunny spot, pours you a beer and tops it up as you chat. Kyushu’s largest city is often overlooked on tourist itineraries, yet is beloved by its residents, who clearly know how to unwind – it has the second highest number of bars, cabarets and clubs in Japan after Tokyo. Whilst crowds gather for big festivals like the Hakata Dontaku parade in May and to see towering floats raced at dawn at the Gion Yamakasa in July, Fukuoka remains down to party all year round. 

Time Out Tokyo is correct in their description of Fukuoka as "the relaxed southern cousin." I visited Fukuoka in 2007 and found it quite laid-back in comparison to the more frenetic pace of Tokyo.

Above, a view of Fukuoka from Fukuoka Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article states that the fastest shinkansen to Fukuoka from Tokyo will get you there in about five hours. When I went, the only real "delay" was a change of trains in Shin-Osaka. Other than that, it is a pleasant ride with nice views of the Japanese countryside along the way.

To see what 10 things Time Out Tokyo recommends, go here.

Seeing Kyushu By Train

Above, waiting to board the train to Sasebo City at Kumamoto Station.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Probably the best trip to Japan I've made was the 2007 trip. On that one, I headed down to Kyushu to see Mount Aso (I didn't get to see very much of it as a blizzard was in progress at the time, but still worth the experience), Sasebo City and the nearby Saikai Bridge and Hario Wireless Towers, Nagasaki and Fukuoka. It was pretty much "the Rodan trip" as the places visited were featured in the 1956 movie, Rodan. But, to be fair, I also saw some locations featured in Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994).

All of these are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

The U.K.'s Guardian has posted a nice travelogue article of a family's five-day rail journey in Kyushu. I have to agree, the scenery of Kyushu was great to see by train, especially along the Ariake Sea.

Here's a snippet from the article:

My wife Yuko, Roka and I were about to embark on a five-day rail journey around Kyushu, the third largest of the country's main islands, using the "limited express" trains – of which the Sonic was one – and the hi-tech, high-speed shinkansen (bullet train) system. The first thing that attracted us to the idea of travelling around Kyushu by rail was the ridiculously cheap passes only available to overseas visitors – a five-day pass for the island costs just over £100, nine times cheaper than a single day on the new, much-heralded Kyushu Seven Stars luxury train, which costs from £980 per person for a two-day/one-night train "cruise".

With the JR Rail Pass, the train rides in Kyushu was "ridiculously cheap."

To read the article, go here. 

JapanVisitor Guide To Fukuoka City

Above, a view of Fukuoka City from the observation floor of Fukuoka Tower.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those wishing to visit Fukuoka in Kyushu to see the Fukuoka Tower, featured in Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), and the Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome, featured in Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995), JapanVisitor has posted a guide to things to see and do in the city.

Both of those sites have been spotlighted by yours truly, most recently at JapanTourist and in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To see the JapanVisitor guide to Fukuoka, go here. 

Kaiju Locations In Kyushu

Above, Fukuoka Tower.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my 2007 vacation trip to Japan, I made a sojourn down to Kyushu to visit some of the sites featured in several kaiju movies.  Next to Tokyo, Kyushu has the most concentration of monster-related sites.

It was an all-day trip via shinkansen to Kyushu from Tokyo, but it was well worth the trip.  The views of the Japanese countryside were enjoyable along the way.

My first stay was in Kumamoto, which is essentially the "gateway to Mt. Aso Volcano National Park." Mt. Aso was featured in the movie Rodan (1956).

When I took a commuter train to Mt. Aso, I found the park in blizzard conditions, which prevented any good views of the volcano.

It wasn't a total loss as I stopped at the visitor center, which had numerous displays and a televised view inside the volcano's caldera.

Above, the view from Mt. Aso ropeway station.  Photo
by Armand Vaquer.

From there, I made my way to Nagasaki, the second city in Japan to be blasted by an atomic bomb during World War II.  I visited the city's Peace Park as well as the Hypocenter Park (both are considered one park, but most separate the two when describing them).

Nakasaki has no kaiju locations, but the atomic bombings of World War II influenced the creation of Godzilla and is worth a visit.

Above, the Nagasaki a-bomb hypocenter memorial.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After Nagasaki, I took another train to Sasebo to visit the Saikai Bridge, which was also featured in Rodan. I photographed the Hario Straits (where the bridge is located), the bridge and the Hario Wireless Towers (that transmitted the command to attack Pearl Harbor in December 1941).

Above, the Fukuoka Yahoo Dome.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From Nakasaki, I took a commuter train to Fukuoka (Kyushu's largest city).  In Fukuoka, I visited the Fukuoka Yahoo Dome, which was featured in Gamera, Guardian of the Universe in 1995 and Fukuoka Tower, which was featured in 1994's Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla.

These locations and more are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Fukuoka Tower Posted At JapanTourist

Above, islands off Hakata Bay near Fukuoka from the observation level of Fukuoka Tower.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

JapanTourist has posted my travel article on Space Godzilla's favorite tower, Fukuoka Tower.

Fukuoka Tower is Fukuoka City's symbol and offers a great 360-degree panoramic view of Fukuoka City, offshore islands and Hakata Bay.

To view it, go here.

Another JapanTourist Article Submitted

Above, Fukuoka Tower.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Continuing to spread the joys of kaiju-related joys of Japan tourism to Japan travelers outside of G-fandom, I submitted my latest article to JapanTourist.

As the last two articles were centered in the metropolitan Tokyo area, I decided that the next article will take the reader down south into Kyushu to the Fukuoka area.

The article is on Fukuoka Tower, which was featured in the 1994 Toho movie, Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla.  It is a (slight) re-working on my article that originally appeared in G-Fan and in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (page 45).

Once the article is approved and posted at JapanTourist, I will post a notice with a link.

Kumamoto, Gateway To Mt. Aso Volcano National Park

Above, commuters waiting to board a train at Kumamoto Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2007, I visited Kyushu, Japan to see several locations used in Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies.  Next to Tokyo, Kyushu has the highest concentration of locations and landmarks featured in the movies.

In Rodan (1956), Fukuoka, Sasebo and Mt. Aso were prominently featured.  In Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), Fukuoka was featured (Hakata Bay and Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome).  In Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1994) the area surrounding Fukuoka Tower was the battlefield.   These are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (hard copy through ComiXpress.com and ebook at Amazon.com Kindle Store).

It was pretty much an all-day trip to Kyushu from Tokyo aboard the bullet train (with a change of trains at Shin-Osaka) and then a ride between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kumamoto Station aboard a local commuter train (Hohi Line) of the Kyushu Railway Company.  Thankfully, all these train rides were covered by my JR Rail Pass.

Above, Kumamoto Station.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2007, I stayed at a ryokan (Japanese inn) in Kumamoto, as Kumamoto is "the gateway to Mt. Aso Volcano National Park."  The ryokan I chose was the family-run Kumamoto Kajita Ryokan.  My room cost was only ¥4,000 (a room for two cost ¥7,200).  They also serve excellent meals.

The trip to Kumamoto was for visiting Mt. Aso Volcano National Park.

It was springtime in Kyushu, but someone forgot to tell Mt. Aso Volcano National Park as it was in blizzard conditions when I visited it.  I couldn't really see much.  At least the park's museum had excellent exhibits. Still, it was a fun adventure taking the snowy bus ride (photo above) to and from the park.  Mt. Aso was the location used for Rodan.

Above, the view outside of the Mt. Aso ropeway station.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides Mt. Aso, there's also the Ultraman Land park near Kumamoto.  I didn't visit it on the trip, but to see their website (in Japanese), go here.

Above, yours truly inside of the Mt. Aso ropeway station.

Kumamoto is a nice city to visit.  They have their own webpage of attractions and other tourist information.  To view it, go here.

Fukuoka Uncovered

Above, Fukuoka Tower that was featured in "Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a travel article on Fukuoka entitled, "Uncovering The Secrets of Fukuoka."

Fukuoka has chic boutiques, laid-back bars, a fantastic high-and-low dining scene and beaches nearby. Nearly equidistant to Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul, it sits on the northern tip of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands.

Despite its many assets, relatively few tourists have discovered Fukuoka. But with a multitude of new transport links, that may soon change.

Cruise ships began docking in the port three years ago, joining ferries from South Korea and China. In 2011, the Kyushu Shinkansen high-speed rail line was completed, linking Fukuoka to Kagoshima, on the southern tip of Kyushu. And this year, two new low-cost airlines, Peach Aviation and AirAsia Japan, have started flying to Fukuoka from Osaka and Tokyo, respectively.

If one doesn't like crowds, Fukuoka may be the Japanese city to suit your fancy.  You may want to visit it now, before the hordes of tourists discover it.

Above, Fukuoka Yahoo Dome that was featured in "Gamera, Guardian of the Universe."  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I visited Fukuoka in 2007 and found it to be a rather relaxed city.  I was attracted to it as it was featured in Rodan (1956), Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994) and Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995).  Fukuoka is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 45.

Above, a view of off-shore islands from Fukuoka Tower.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/ stories/life/travel/uncovering-the-secrets-of-fukuoka-650465/#ixzz25CVr5Vz1