Volcanoes of Japan

Above, the peak of Mt. Fuji from the timberline. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Big Sushi, Little Fishes: A Japan Blog has posted an article on the "Volcanoes of Japan" due to the eruption of Mount Ontake.

The article points out that 72% of Japan is mountainous with 110 of Japan's mountains being active volcanoes, including Mount Fuji. The article also include links to the Wikipedia list of Japan's volcanoes and the watch list of 47 of the most active volcanoes (that are monitored 24 yours a day) by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Volcanoes have played roles (of varying degrees) in some kaiju movies over the years. These include Rodan (1956), in which the two Rodans are killed by an eruption of Mount Aso; King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) has the big battle between Kong and Godzilla start on the slopes of Mount Fuji; and Godzilla falls into the cauldron of Mount Mihara in Return of Godzilla (1984). Godzilla escapes Mount Mihara in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989).

Above, a couple from Hong Kong inside of the Mt. Aso Volcano Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

These are all covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. On page 37, that spotlights Mount Fuji, there is a USGS map of the major volcanoes of Japan. Many of these volcanoes are visited annually by tourists and hikers and have visitor centers with exhibits and educational programs.

Finally, Japan Today asks the question: Could Fuji be next?

6.2-Magnitude Quake Rocks Tokyo

Above, Oshima Island from Atami City. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sometimes it's funny how things work.

I just posted a blog the other day on Oshima Island (featured in Return of Godzilla (1984) and Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)).

Today, I received a bulletin from Japan Today that said a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Tokyo area.

It said:

TOKYO —A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo early Monday, but officials said there was no risk of a tsunami. 

Tokyo inhabitants—set to enjoy a national holiday—were woken shortly after dawn by the quake, which jolted the densely built apartments and office blocks. 

The epicenter of the quake—which struck at 5:18 a,m.—was near Izu Oshima island southwest of central Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Maybe Mount Mihara on Oshima is about to erupt again? It last erupted in 1986.

To read more, go here. 

Oshima

Above, a view of Oshima Island from Atami. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the end of Return of Godzilla (1984) (released the following year in the U.S. as Godzilla 1985), the great beast is lured to Oshima Island (Izu Ōshima (伊豆大島 Izu-ōshima) by sonic waves set at a frequency imitating the chirping of birds (after all, dinosaurs are distant ancestors of birds). On Oshima, Godzilla topples into the crater of the 830-foot Mount Mihara, seemingly to his doom.

Fortunately, for Godzilla's fans and Toho's bank account, Godzilla returned in the next movie, Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). Mount Mihara is an active volcano, having last erupted in 1986.

Today, Oshima is a tourist haven when the island's camellias are in bloom. There is an annual Camellia Festival on Oshima. Visitors can fish, scuba dive, hike and partake in an onsen bath at Hama-no-yu (浜の湯), Motomachi. It is a co-ed (men and women) outdoor bath that has great views of Izu Hanto and Mt. Fuji on a clear day. The onsen tends to get crowed around sunset. Bathing suits are obligatory. Standing in the garden in front of the onsen is a statue of Godzilla.

There is also another spa, Gojinka Spa, also in Motomachi.

To get to the island, jetfoil boats can be taken from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, near Hamamatsucho, Tokyo. It is an 1 hour and 45 minute ride from Tokyo. Jetfoils to Oshima also leave from Atami in Shizuoka and will get you there in about 45 minutes. A one-way ticket costs approximately ¥5,700.

People can get around on the island by microbus, car rental or bicycles.

If one wants to stay overnight on the island (although Oshima is mainly a day-trip place), there is an inn at Motomachi called the Pension Minamoto. Contact: p-minamoto.1002@docomo.ne.jp, fax: 04992-2-1002.

Izu Oshima Beckons

Above, Izu Oshima Island can be seen from Atami's harbor.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The end of Return of Godzilla (1984) (also known as Godzilla and Godzilla 1985) has Godzilla lured to Mt. Mihara on Oshima Island and toppling into the volcano, seemingly to his doom.

However, Godzilla escapes the confines of Mt. Mihara in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) to wreak havoc in Japan.

The formal name for Oshima Island is Izu Oshima.  According to Wikipedia:

Izu Ōshima (伊豆大島, Izu-ōshima^?) is a volcanic island in the Izu Islands.^[1] The island is administered by the Tokyo Metropolitan government, Japan, lies about 100 km south of Tokyo, 22 km east of the Izu Peninsula and 36 km southwest of Bōsō Peninsula. Ōshima Town (大島町, Ōshima-machi^?) serves as the local government of the island.

 On Mt. Mihara itself, Wikipedia says:

Izu Ōshima is most famous for Mt. Mihara (764 meters), which last erupted in 1990. Izu Ōshima is also a popular site for tourists from both Tokyo and Shizuoka due to its close proximity to the mainland. 

There are a number of ferries which leave from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, near Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo. Ferries also leave from Atami in Shizuoka.

Back in November 2001, I took a bullet train (shinkansen) from Tokyo to Atami.  Izu Oshima can be seen from Atami's harbor area on clear days.  Fortunately for me, the day I went to Atami was a relatively clear day and I was able to see Izu Oshima.

What prompted me to post this was an article in Japan Today, "10 Travel Ideas Slightly Off The Beaten Track."  One of the ten ideas was Izu Oshima.

They wrote:

Izu Oshima – This volcanic island, technically part of Tokyo, is a 2-hour hydrofoil trip from Tokyo Takeshiba pier (three daily departures between 7 and 8 a.m.) or take an overnight ferry departing at 11 p.m. The island is just over 26 kilometers in circumference; rented bicycle is a great way to explore the whole island. Geology—the volcano, the beaches, the rocks — and botany — farms and camellia groves — and a chance to just slow down and relax. This is a nice little overnight getaway.

To see the other nine ideas in the article, go here.

Also on the island, there is a stone Godzilla statue at the Hamano Hot Spring Resort.  [Izu Oshima and Atami are covered on page 35 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.]

Perhaps the next time I visit Japan, an excursion to Izu Oshima may be taken.  A ride on a hydrofoil sounds like fun!

"Godzilla vs. Biollante" Coming December 4

Since the late 1990s, whenever I wanted to watch Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), my only recourse was to pop in the HBO VHS tape.  It has some of the silliest dialog in a modern Godzilla movie ("Godziller" and "Eggs is eggs").

That's about to change as Godzilla vs. Biollante is about to be released on DVD ($6.99) and Blu-ray ($14.99) by Echo Bridge on December 4.

Godzilla vs. Biollante is the follow-up to Return of Godzilla (1984) (a.k.a., Godzilla 1985 (1985)).  In the previous movie, our hero fell into the cauldron of Mt. Mihara on Oshima Island.  In Biollante, he is released from his confinement and goes on a rampage into Osaka, Japan.  Meanwhile, a grieving scientist mixes cells from a rose bush, his late daughter and Godzilla to create (unintentionally) a giant plant monster.

The movie also introduces psychic Miki Saegusa (Megumi Odaka) into the series.

Godzilla vs. Biollante contains the best special effects work done by Koichi Kawakita in the Godzilla series (in my humble opinion).

It is one of the better Godzilla movies of the second (or Heisei) series, although the pacing is a bit plodding.

My grade:  B+.

"Godzilla 1985" Addendum

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Buildings.

As an addendum to yesterday's blog about Godzilla 1985 (or Return of Godzilla), it should be mentioned that the main action between the Japanese military forces (with its Super X fighting machine) and Godzilla takes place in the Shinjuku section of Tokyo.

The buildings shown appear to be generic and not easily recognizable. However, Godzilla does take another stroll through Ginza and Hibiya (his first was in 1954).

One main building to note was the Yurakucho Mullion building. There is a scene in the Japanese version of Godzilla approaching the building and his reflection is visible on the side of the building. Unfortunately, this scene was not included in the Americanized version. Both versions do show Godzilla clawing at the side of the building as he loses his balance when his foot collapses the street below him.

The site where the Yurakucho Mullion building stands was where the Nichigeki Theater once stood. It was featured in the 1954 original when Godzilla steps on some electified train tracks, causing his tail to whip about and hit the theater.

The Yurakucho Building was also featured in another Godzilla movie. This is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.



Godzilla eventually meets his "doom" in the crater of Mt. Mihara, on Oshima Island. Today, there is a stone Godzilla statue at the Hamano Hot Springs resort on Oshima Island. Oshima can be seen on clear days from Atami (photo above).