A Little Godzilla History In Memory Lane

The above photo taken at the Rainforest Cafe in the Chicago area after G-FEST XII (2005) shows a group of us including (from left) yours truly, Stan Hyde, Yoshikazu Ishii, Ruth Lees, J. D. Lees, Yoshimitsu Banno and Robert Scott Field. 

The photo popped up in the Memories gizmo of Facebook yesterday. It prompted a comment by Field on the significance of it.

He wrote:

Great picture. In 2000 Banno asked me to help him connect to Hollywood for a 4D version of Hedorah. No one was interested in Hedorah but in 2005 we talked again for a couple of hours about getting the rights to Godzilla and before and after this picture of the dinner at the Rain Forest in Chicago was taken. I'm guessing that no one knew (including us lol) that this is where the turning point of the Legendary G-franchise actually began… And now history!!! It’s a beautiful thing!!!

Above, director Yoshimitsu Banno addresses the 2004 G-TOUR group in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The very first time we met Yoshimitsu Banno was at the T.G.I. Fridays dinner (above photo) in Roppongi, Tokyo of the first G-TOUR in 2004. He spoke to the group and dropped strong hints about his plans for a Hedorah movie in 3D.

He was later invited to G-FEST XII in 2005. Sadly, he passed away at age 86 in 2017.

Survey Asks Foreign Tourists What Bothered Them In Japan

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism boom isn't showing any signs of abating. Foreign travelers are still flocking to the Land of the Rising Sun in droves.

That doesn't mean that there aren't a few things that those travelers find bothersome.

A survey found some interesting responses. SoraNews24 posted the results.

They begin with:

Japan’s unprecedented inbound international travel boom isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, and it’s been going on long enough that it’s clear tourists are really enjoying themselves during their time in the country. But no travel destination is perfect, and so the Japan Tourism Agency, part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, has been conducting interviews with foreign travelers as they finish up their journeys in Japan to see what kind of problems they encountered.

Between July and December of 2024 the agency interviewed 4,189 foreign travelers prior to their departures from Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Fukuoka, and New Chitose Airports, Japan’s largest international air gateways. When asked what sort of things had bothered, troubled, or annoyed them during their trip, 6.1 percent said they’d had difficulty finding free Wi-Fi and public Internet service, and 8.6 percent had complaints about immigration processing upon their arrival in Japan, with how long it took for them to go through the process after landing being the primary problem.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Crosses 10 Million Visitors Through March

Above, a view of the Tokyo Skytree from Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those of us who have interests in Japan remember the days when the country sought to get at least 10 million foreign visitors to the country in a year.

They have well exceeded that long-ago goal. They've done it in three months this year.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - Japan crossed the 10 million visitor mark at the fastest ever pace this year, reaching that level already in March, official data showed on Wednesday, as the weak yen propelled an unprecedented tourism boom.

Arrivals of foreign visitors for business and leisure reached 3.5 million last month, bringing the total through the first quarter to 10.54 million, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Last year, Japan reached 10 million visitors in April.

 To read more, go here.

Japan Foreign Visitors Top 33 Million In January-November

Above, Tokyo Tower as seen from Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A new record was set in the number of foreign visitors to Japan in January to November of 2024.

According to Kyodo News:

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 33 million from January to November, setting a new annual record, driven by a tourism boom and a weak yen, government estimates showed Wednesday.

The total stood at 33,379,900, surpassing the previous full-year high of 31.88 million set in 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

In November alone, foreign visitors rose 30.6 percent year-on-year to 3.18 million. Each month this year has recorded at least 30 percent growth compared with the same period last year.

With airline routes to Japan recovering to 2019 levels, November visitor numbers were further boosted by increased demand during the fall foliage season.

To read more, go here. 

Visitors To Japan Surge In February

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inbound tourism to Japan is still surging according to an article posted by Kyodo News.

They reported:

TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan rose 89.0 percent in February from a year earlier to about 2.79 million as it continued to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Tuesday, although visitors from mainland China only showed a limited recovery.

The figure represents a 7.1 percent rise from the same month in 2019 when there was no impact from the pandemic, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The largest number of travelers came from South Korea at 818,500, up 14.3 percent from pre-pandemic levels, followed by those from Taiwan at 502,200, up 25.6 percent.

To read more, go here. 

How Banno's Scrapped Godzilla Film Led To Legendary's Monsterverse

Above, Yoshimitsu Banno disclosing his plans for a Godzilla movie
 in 3D and IMAX to G-TOUR in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that this year marks 20 years since the first G-TOUR to Japan by Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd. (of G-FAN magazine fame) took place in 2004. I was a part of the 60-person tour group.

While the tour was in Tokyo, a dinner was held in the Roppongi section of the city at T.G.I. Friday's. One of the guests at the dinner was Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno.

Banno gave a talk and divulged that he was planning on making a Godzilla movie in IMAX and 3D. A working title was Godzilla 3D To The Max. This was the first news that Godzilla fandom received of this project. Some got very excited of the prospect of a 3D and IMAX movie while others dismissed it (largely for fandom political reasons).

The movie never got off the ground, but it did lead eventually to Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Monsterverse series of movies with Banno as one of the executive producers. 

Slash Film has posted an article one how the scrapped IMAX Godzilla short led to the Monsterverse.

It begins with:

Much like any other long-running franchise, "Godzilla" is filled with a great many would-be projects that never managed to see the light of day. Perhaps no scrapped project featuring the King of the Monsters is more consequential than what is most commonly known as "Godzilla 3-D." The film, which was in development in the early 2000s, was going to be a short filmed for IMAX made with American audiences in mind. It never came to be, but development of the project indirectly led to the creation of the MonsterVerse franchise, which kicked off with 2014's "Godzilla" and is still going strong today.

So, how do we go from theatrically-released short film to blockbuster-sized, American-produced theatrical feature? It's an odd, messy journey, and one that is a little heartbreaking in some ways for both fans and one of the franchise's most unique directors. Namely, Yoshimitsu Banno, who helmed 1971's "Godzilla vs. Hedorah," which remains one of the franchise's most bizarre entries to date, yet also one of its most celebrated. The story of this big-budget short film begins with Banno and his desire to once again step behind the camera to tell a tale about Godzilla and the Smog Monster.

To read the full article, go here.

Tokyo Nightlife Not Fully Recovered

Above, the Wako Department Store in Ginza in December 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan fully reopened to foreign visitors last October. COVID has also been downgraded. Businesses in Tokyo have also reopened.

However, satellite images of Tokyo has shown that nightlife in Japan's capital city has not fully recovered from the pandemic.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- Tokyo is darker at night now than in 2019 before COVID-19 ravaged the city's entertainment districts. Nighttime satellite images show the city last year had luminosity only 90% that of 2019, while Paris and London had fully regained their glow.

Based on NASA satellite image data processed by Colorado School of Mines, a research university in the U.S., Nikkei has calculated nighttime brightness in various cities during the April-October period of 2022. Data showed that illumination levels increased 3.2% in Paris and 1.4% in London from 2019 averages, but fell 3.2% in New York and 11.6% in Tokyo.

The sharp drop in Tokyo is mostly attributed to a slow recovery in city centers frequented by business people for after-work socializing.

Nighttime luminosity fell much more in entertainment quarters than in residential areas, with light levels falling more than 15% in popular nightspots like Roppongi, Shinjuku and Ginza. People traffic downtown was about 20% less in February than three years earlier, according to mobile location data provided by Docomo InsightMarketing. 

To read more, go here. 

Japan Set To Waive Tourist Restrictions

Above, yours truly at Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. 

Japan is being forced to allow visa-free tourists into the country due to the collapse of the yen and the lifting of COVID restrictions.

It has yet to announce the change, but it is expected to go into effect in October.

According to Fox Business:

The Japanese government is walking back years of harsh travel restrictions as the yen collapses in value due to a stagnant economy and weak trade.

Japan will allow all travelers with at least three COVID-19 vaccine injections or a negative test result to enter the country without the need for a visa.

Japan until recently has all but completely rejected foreigners seeking entry or re-entry into the country.

The dramatic reversal was announced as the Japanese government struggles to keep the yen from further collapse.

From Reuters:

Sept 15 (Reuters) - Japan is expected to waive visa requirements for certain tourists and remove a limit on daily arrivals in October as it aims to benefit from a rebound in global tourism, Nikkei reported on Thursday.

Following the change, Japan will not require visas for short-term travelers from the United States and certain other countries, and will scrap the daily entry cap of 50,000 people, the media outlet said.

From The Guardian: 

Japan could return to unfettered tourism by the end of next month as pressure builds on the government to end Covid-19 travel restrictions and cash in on a weak yen.

Officials are reportedly considering removing the current daily cap of 50,000 arrivals, which includes returning residents, and a return to visa-free travel. A rule requiring individual travellers to make bookings through travel agencies could also be lifted, according to media reports.

Japan: Accepting Tour Groups June 10

Above, a view from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nikkei Asia just reported that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a resumption of tourism:

TOKYO -- Japan will reopen its borders to international tourists on June 10, starting with tour groups, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Thursday.

To read more, go here. 

Additionally, Time Out Tokyo posted:

Despite many setbacks, Japan has started to slowly resume travel and tourism. This month, a limited number of foreign tourists were allowed to enter on a trial basis and more border restrictions are set to ease further from June 1. 

As reported by The Yomiuri Shimbun, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced tonight (Thursday May 26) that Japan will now allow foreign tourists to enter the country via package tours from Friday June 10, ahead of a full resumption of inbound tourism. Additionally, international flights will be expanded to cover Sapporo's New Chitose Airport and Okinawa's Naha Airport. 

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Skytree Marks 10th Anniversary of Opening

Above, the Tokyo Skytree as seen from Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe, but today marks ten years since the opening of the Tokyo Skytree on May 22, 2012.

The first time I saw it was during my December 2010 trip to Japan. It was not completed at the time. I visited the Tower in 2014 but didn't go up to the observation deck until the following year.

Above, the Tokyo Skytree under construction in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The anniversary is being commemorated in Tokyo.

According to nippon.com:

Tokyo, May 22 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward in the Japanese capital, known as the world’s tallest self-sustaining tower, marked the 10th anniversary of its opening on Sunday.

The Tobu Railway Co. group, which operates the 634-meter tower and an adjacent commercial complex, is organizing commemorative events, including the live broadcasting of a show performed by Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo XI at a top section of the tower.

As Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward, which used to be the primary television broadcast tower in the region, faced difficulty in ensuring complete broadcasting coverage after high-rise buildings were built around it, TV broadcasters in Tokyo started considering developing a replacement facility.

Above, a nighttime view from the Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Tokyo Skytree is so tall that there's hardly a place in Tokyo where it can't be seen. It dominates the skyline of the city.

Above, a view from Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Above, the Skytree from its base. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Skytree Reached Full Height 11 Years Ago

Above, a view of Tokyo Skytree from Roppongi's Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This month marks 11 years when the Tokyo Skytree reached its full height while it was under construction. Construction of the Tokyo Skytree began on July 14, 2008 and it opened on May 22, 2012. 

Above, Tokyo Skytree under construction in December 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Wikipedia:

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634 meters in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world, displacing the Canton Tower, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa.

Above, a view of Tokyo Skytree from ground level. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I first saw the Tokyo Skytree for myself in December 2010. I visited it in 2014 but didn't go up to any of its observation decks until 2015. 

Above, Tokyo Skytree at night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Tokyo Skytree replaced Tokyo Tower as the primary Tokyo broadcasting tower as tall buildings around Tokyo Tower affected its broadcasting signals. 

Above, a view of the Sumida River, Asahi Beer Hall and Asakusa from
 an observation deck of the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is only blocks away from the Asahi Beer Hall and the Sumida River. 

The official Tokyo Skytree website can be accessed here.

The Travel: What To Expect In Tokyo

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to the United Nations, Tokyo is the world's most populated metropolitan are at  37.5 million people. 

While it has a lot of people, it is still a great place to visit.

Since foreign tourists are not allowed into Japan at present due to the pandemic, The Travel has posted things one should expect while in Tokyo, in the meantime. Also, they have plenty of photographs to enjoy.

They begin with:

As far as the world's metropolises go, Tokyo is pretty big. Tokyo has grown to become what is generally considered to be the world's most populated metropolitan area. Tokyo is so massive that it dominates Japan and no trip to Japan could be complete without visiting the city.

Perhaps surprisingly, Tokyo does not have a long history (by Asian standards) and there are plenty more historical cities in Japan - like Kyoto. But it is the beating heart of modern Japan. Before one goes to Japan, it may be beneficial to learn some essential Japanese words and phrases for first-timers.

To read more, go here. 

Top 10 Reasons to Come Back To Tokyo

Above, a view from Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The time will eventually come when tourists can go back to Japan and savor its delights. Whenever that'll be, tourists will be ready with lists of things to see and do. Right now, Japan is having a difficult time getting the coronavirus under control.

One source posted today the top ten reasons to come back to Tokyo. 

It is Modern Diplomacy and they compiled a good list.

They begin with:

Rediscover Japan’s captivating capital with these top 10 experiences, curated by the Concierge team at Four Seasons.

To see what their ten best reasons to come back to Tokyo, go here. 

Japan Keeps Foreign Visitor Ban

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is sure going to be interesting to see how the Tokyo Olympics this summer fare considering that there are still restrictions on foreign nationals on entering Japan.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- Japan will maintain tight controls on the entry of foreign nationals following the extension of a state of emergency covering Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures to curb COVID-19, just weeks before preparations for the Olympics begin in earnest.

The emergency extension comes as authorities have been particularly vigilant in guarding against spikes in coronavirus cases as the countdown to hosting the Tokyo Games this summer begins. Once the declaration is lifted, currently scheduled for March 21, less than a week before the Olympic torch relay is set to begin, the government will welcome visitors first from countries that have not detected new coronavirus variants.

Business travel exemptions with China, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam for short trips are likely to remain suspended as virus variants have been found in these countries.

To read more, go here.

60% In 7 Japan Prefectures Still Showing Up At The Office

Above, office workers walk past the sculpture of Maman in Roppongi Hills, Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There should be no surprise why there's an upsurge in coronavirus cases in Japan since it has been reported that 60% are still showing up for work, despite a nationwide state of emergency.

The Japan Times reported:

About 60 percent of employees in Tokyo and six other prefectures still commute to offices despite the state of emergency declared to curb the coronavirus pandemic, a think tank survey showed Friday. 

The online survey by Persol Research and Consulting Co., covering some 25,000 workers nationwide, also showed that the nationwide telecommuting rate had roughly doubled to 27.9 percent by the middle of the month from 13.2 percent in March. 

On April 10, 58.5 percent of regular workers in the seven-prefecture zone said they were still going to the office, showing just how far the nation still has to go to attain the government's target of a 70 percent reduction to slow the virus's spread. 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared the state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures on April 7 and expanded it to the entire country on Thursday. 

From April 10 to 13, 38.8 percent of permanent employees in the seven prefectures telecommuted, with the rate hitting 49.1 percent in Tokyo. But only 13.8 percent teleworked outside those areas, the study showed.

To read more, go here. 

Seeing Tokyo From An Observation Deck

Above, a view from Tokyo City View atop Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Believe it or not, Tokyo has a population of over 38 million people.

To fully appreciate the city's population and all of the buildings necessary to house and employ them, one should go to any one of Tokyo's several observation decks.

I've been to three observation decks in Tokyo over the years:

• Tokyo Tower
• Mori Tower (Roppongi Hills)
• Tokyo Skytree

Above, a view from Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Today has posted an article on seeing panoramic view of Tokyo. Some observation decks charge a fee and some have free access.

They begin with:

TOKYO - Tokyo is a gigantic concrete jungle built on layers of tradition and culture. It's difficult to grasp the enormity of Japan's capital in just a few days. 

One way to gain some perspective on the complex city is to get above it — way above it. 

Skip the sidewalks and subways and take an elevator to any one of the observation decks that dot the cityscape for a stunning vista. No two perches offer the same view, but they are all spectacular.

Above, a view from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo's Best Public Art Sculptures

Above, "Maman" in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Everyone loves art, right? Well, maybe almost everyone.

Some, while traveling, make it a point to visit as many art galleries as they can. But some art works are free to the public and Tokyo has several to enjoy.

Time Out Tokyo has a list of the best pubic art sculptures in the city.

They begin with:

For art lovers, Tokyo is one of the top destinations in Asia with countless museums, alternative art galleries and exhibitions. But that doesn’t mean you need to pay a premium to see some of the best art in the city – heck, to see these masterpieces, you don’t even have to go indoors. Here’s our list of some of the best outdoor art around town.

Our favorite King of the Monsters, Godzilla, is listed.

Here's what they have to say about the Big G:

Those less fussed about fine art and more in the mood for tracking down the king of monsters should first make their way to Kabukicho, where a significantly tall Godzilla head towers over the Toho Cinemas movie complex. For more Godzilla goodness, head to Hibiya Chanter Square, where a 1.2m-tall Godzilla has been protecting the area since 1994. 

Above, Godzilla peers over a building in Shinjuku. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Visitors To Japan Set New Record In 2018

Above, Tokyo Skytree from Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More visitors are going to Japan each year, and each year a new record in the numbers of foreign visitors increase from the year before.

Travel Agent Central has posted an article on the new record set by Japan and what lies ahead in tourism.

They begin it with:

More than 30 million overseas travelers visited Japan in 2018, an all-time record, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reports. That represents an 8.7 percent increase over 2017 — the previous record year. Tourism from the United States rose 11 percent, accounting for about 5 percent of all visitors.  

Naohito Ise, the JNTO’s New York-based executive director, said in a written statement that, “American tourism to Japan is expected to continue to rise in 2019 as the country builds up to host major international sporting events,” adding that, “more and more Americans [are] seeking beyond the classic tourism destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto to discover lesser-known parts of the country.” 

To read more, go here. 

About Tokyo's Street Names and Address System

Above, a Roppongi intersection. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It took me about three trips to Tokyo before I got some sort of semblance of being able to figure out the city's street system. Finding an address is another story.

Back in 2006, I had to find the office of Kadokawa Pictures. I was in the general area but was unable to find the place. Fortunately, the New Otani Hotel in Chiyoda (which was used as Osata Chemicals headquarters in You Only Live Twice) was in the area and I checked with their concierge desk and they gave me a detailed map. I just handed it to a taxi driver he got me there within minutes.

Still, it is not unusual to get "mighty bewildered" when trying to find an address. What I found helpful (besides a hotel) was to ask a local, go to a police koban or, if lucky, go to a visitor information office.

Time Out Tokyo has an article explaining Tokyo's street system.

It begins with:

Were U2 singing about Tokyo all along? In this city, only a handful of the main thoroughfares and shopping streets have honorary street names, such as Meiji-dori and Takeshita-dori. Other than that, rather than having street names, we’ve given names to areas and assigned numbers to the districts or sections within them, which are then counted as ‘chome’. For example, Aoyama It-chome is thus Aoyama (District) 1. 

So when you’re looking at a map, you first need to find the area and then you can go searching within it. Theoretically it’s a lot faster than trying to figure out at what end of that long street number 98 is.

To read more, go here. 

Giant Spider Gets Wool Sweater

Above, Maman without the sweater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the Roppongi Hills complex, there's a giant spider sculpture called "Maman".

Now through May 27, Maman will be sporting a colorful sweater.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

Colorful knitted wool has been wrapped around the enormous bronze spider sculpture in the Roppongi Hills complex in Minato Ward, Tokyo, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the opening of the popular complex. 

The 10-meter high spider, dubbed “Maman,” is the work of French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois. American textile artist Magda Sayeg covered Maman’s eight legs with almost 600 pieces of knitting, taking 11 days to complete the project.

To see the knitting and to read more, go here.