Toho Steps Out Into the World With New Confidence

Above, Toho Studios in the Setagaya section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, Godzilla Minus One won an Academy Award for Special Effects, the first Japanese movie to accomplish this.

Toho Co., Ltd. is hoping that lightning will strike twice as they are pushing for another Academy Award. They are doing so with new confidence this time. 

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- The COVID pandemic may be long over but Americans have yet to resume going to the movies nearly as often as they used to. Could a three-hour, subtitled, behind-the-scenes drama about the careers of two Kabuki actors turn things around?

Hiroyasu Matsuoka thinks it is worth a shot. Toho, the Japanese entertainment and real estate company he heads, put on a week of showings of "Kokuho," Japan's most popular local live-action movie in decades, in Los Angeles and New York in November ahead of a planned general release next month that is to reach at least 100 screens across North America.

Virtually every one of the November screenings sold out. Actor Tom Cruise kicked off one Los Angeles showing by telling the audience, "This is a very, very special movie, and one that you must see on the big screen."

Next week, Matsuoka and Toho will learn whether "Kokuho," Japan's official nominee, has been shortlisted for the Academy Award for best international feature film. Two years ago, he and the company celebrated "Godzilla Minus One" becoming the first Japanese movie to win the Oscar for best visual effects.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla Going Green

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Godzilla is going green.

Well, not exactly. But the Big G's atomic breath is green in color in a new video by Toho honoring fans and celebrating the 70th anniversary.

According to Bloody Disgusting:

For over 70 years, Godzilla has captivated the world. And now, a new roar echoes louder than ever.

Toho is honoring the fans who have kept the legacy alive with a video of the King of the Monster stomping through Southeast Asia. The fresh take on Godzilla features an updated design, a new roar, and green atomic breath!

“Thank you for 70 years of love, memories, and passion,” writes Toho. “Witness the rise. Hear the roar. The legend reigns.”

Here's the video:

A follow-up movie to the Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One is currently in pre-production with Takashi Yamazaki writing the script.

To read more, go here.

Japan Implements Bold Measures To Conquer Overtourism

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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With the very favorable exchange rates between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar and other currencies, it is no wonder that foreign tourists are flocking to Japan. 

In Japan's eyes, this "overtourism" is causing problems and the government is taking steps to deal with it.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Japan is escalating its fight against overtourism with new fee hikes and tax reforms, impacting popular sites like Mount Fuji and Himeji Castle starting in 2026.

Japan is taking steps to address overtourism by introducing new fees and restrictions on certain travel perks.

For instance, the fee for foreign visitors wishing to climb Mount Fuji will increase significantly this summer, rising to 4,000 yen (approximately $28). Additionally, starting in March 2026, Himeji Castle will implement a higher admission fee for tourists from outside western Japan, charging between 2,000 and 3,000 yen, compared to just 1,000 yen for locals.

Japan’s Accommodation Tax In March, nine cities and two prefectures across Japan will begin enforcing an accommodation tax for the first time. This new tax will range from 100 yen ($0.70) to 500 yen ($3.50) per person, per night, in areas such as Miyagi, Hiroshima, and several locations in Hokkaido, Gifu, Miyagi, and Shimane prefectures.

To read more, go here. 

Revisiting "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah"

Above, a Destoroyah prop with a Godzilla figure in Koichi
Kawakita's office at Toho Studios in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the first time in years (at least since I first moved to New Mexico), I decided to watch Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). I was in the mood for it and popped my DVD of it into the player.

The movie itself holds up pretty well story-wise. The special effects by the late Koichi Kawakita were a mixed bag. Some shots were good, while others (like the Destoroyah miniatures that looked like Bandai toys) were clunky. Toho has come a long way from those analog effects to win last year's Academy Award for special effects for Godzilla Minus One. Still, it was fun to see the miniatures getting trashed.

The first time I saw it was around 1998 or 1999 at my parents' house. It was on cable and I went over to watch it with them. We all enjoyed it. 

In 2001, I visited Toho Studios in Setagaya with Richard Pusateri and we saw a miniature Destoroyah prop on the floor of Kawakita's office. It was larger than a Bandai toy. 

I will probably re-visit the Heisei (or second series) of Godzilla movies as winter moves in and I am confined (more or less) indoors. It's been a while since I viewed them.

Happy 70th Birthday, Godzilla!

 

Happy 70th Birthday, Godzilla!

Today is Godzilla Day in Japan and around the world. It was on November 3, 1954 that the King of the Monsters's first movie, Godzilla, premiered in Japan.

From Godzilla.com:

Godzilla is 70! Seven decades after director Ishirō Honda and special effects master Eiji Tsuburaya revealed Godzilla to Japanese audiences on November 3, 1954, the King of the Monsters has only become more captivating and resonant to its growing global fanbase.

Along with that, it has been announced that a new Godzilla movie (possibly a sequel to Godzilla Minus One) has been greenlighted by Toho Co., Ltd. 

Above, the Godzilla filming suit from Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) with yours truly
at Toho Studios in Setagaya, Japan in 2001. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

To read more, go here.

[Monsters In Tokyo] #3 Toho Studios Godzilla

Above, yours truly at the Toho Studios Godzilla statue in 2010.

The travel section of News On Japan has posted a page dedicated to Toho Studios in the Setagaya Ward outside of Tokyo.

Titled [Monsters In Tokyo] #3 Toho Studios Godzilla, it includes a map and the following promotional video on the studio:

I have been to Toho Studios several times, the first being in 2001 before the studio was renovated to better produce movies, television shows and commercials for the modern digital age. My most recent visit was in 2015.

There is currently a Godzilla movie being produced at Toho. 

Above, Shin Godzilla appears over a Toho soundstage in the video.

Information on visiting Toho Studios is included in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To see the page, go here.

Mistakes Tourists Make In Tokyo

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that foreigners are allowed to vacation in Japan again, locals are noticing mistakes foreign tourists are making when visiting Tokyo.

Some of the mistakes are navigating around the city and not following cultural etiquette while dining and other Japanese ways.

Yahoo! News has posted an article on the 14 most glaring mistakes. 

They begin it with:

Locals have noticed many visitors to Tokyo making the same mistakes.

Since Japan reopened its borders to foreign tourists in October, many travelers have taken advantage of the opportunity to visit this bucket-list destination. Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is especially popular, and for good reason ― the striking skyline, incredible food scene and treasure trove of unique cultural experiences are unforgettable.

But as tourists pour back into Tokyo, they inevitably make a few common mistakes. We asked locals and other experts to share some of the issues they’ve observed. From dining mishaps to problematic cultural assumptions, here are 14 mistakes tourists often make while visiting Tokyo ― and some advice for avoiding these errors during your travels.

To read more, go here. 

March Foreign Entries To Japan Number 1.8 Million

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Incoming foreign tourist numbers to Japan has reached around 65% of pre-pandemic levels in March. Much of it was due to cherry blossom season.

According to the Japan Times:

Japan saw an estimated 1,817,500 foreign visitors in March, equivalent to 65.8% of the level seen in March 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Wednesday.

The total was the highest since the country lifted its pandemic-prompted ban on individual, non-prearranged trips last October, it said.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Reopens To Package Foreign Tourism

Above, a Mothra mural at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's the day that Japan begins welcoming foreign tourists into the country. Tourists have to enter with organized tourist groups, no individual tourism is allowed.

But, in order to do so, tourists have to wear masks, have insurance and have a visa, which can take weeks to obtain. Thanks to the visa requirement, it will likely take a few weeks before Japan sees tourist groups roaming around.

Fox 31 Denver reports (some snippets):

TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Friday eased its borders for foreign tourists and began accepting visa applications, but only for those on guided package tours who are willing to follow mask-wearing and other antivirus measures as the country cautiously tries to balance business and infection worries.

Friday is the first day to start procedures needed for the entry and arrivals are not expected until late June at the earliest, even though airport immigration and quarantine offices stood by for any possible arrivals.

The Japan Tourism Agency says tours are being accepted from 98 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore, which are deemed as having low infection risks.

After facing criticism that its strict border controls were xenophobic, Japan began easing restrictions earlier this year. On June 1, it doubled its cap on daily entries to 20,000 people a day, including Japanese citizens, foreign students and some business travelers.

The daily limit will include the package tour participants for the time being, and officials say it will take some time before foreign visitors can come to Japan for free, individual tourism.

It’s unclear how popular the package tours options will be with foreign tourists, most of whom have to apply for tourist visas that can take weeks to obtain. But the yen is trading at 20-year lows against the U.S. dollar and weak against other major currencies, which would make traveling in the high-cost country something of a bargain.

To read the full article, go here. 

Japan To Ask Foreign Tourists To Wear Masks and Get Insurance

Above, the good ol' days before the pandemic at Toho Studios in Setagaya.

Here's the old "good news, bad news" thing rearing its ugly head.

The good news is that foreign tourists can travel to Japan (with a group tour) again starting Friday. But the bad news is that they will have to follow guidelines of such things as wearing masks and taking out insurance.

Kyodo News reported:

The government said Tuesday it will ask foreign tourists to wear face masks and take out insurance to cover medical expenses in the event they contract COVID-19 as Japan restarts accepting visitors in stages later this week.

The tourism ministry has compiled guidelines for travel agencies and hotels ahead of Friday's resumption of accepting arrivals for the purpose of tourism. Entry will be initially restricted to guided tours from 98 countries and regions presenting the lowest risk of infection, including the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.

"Understanding of the guidelines and compliance will lead to the smooth resumption of inbound tourism and its expansion," Tetsuo Saito, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, told a press conference.

Under the guidelines, travel agencies will gain the consent of tour participants to comply with the measures by explaining upon sales or reservation of tours that they will not be penalized for failing to comply but may not be able to take part in tours.

To read more, go here. 

Japan To Allow Package Tours Starting June 6

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following from the Japan Times may or may not be speculation, but if it is correct, it looks like the planned G-TOUR for this fall qualifies. 

The prime minister is to make the announcement (unless he already has) sometime today.

According to the Japan Times:

The government will allow foreign tourists to enter Japan on package tours from June 6, TV Asahi reported late Wednesday, paving the way for the full resumption of inbound tourism, which has been suspended for more than two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to make the announcement as early as Thursday.

The expected move comes after Japan began a trial of package tours involving foreign tourists on Tuesday. The visitors need to be vaccinated three times, including a booster shot, to participate in the tours, which each consist of a small number of people.

Japan is currently the only Group of Seven country still refusing to allow the normal entry of foreign tourists.

I do wonder, if this is correct, how many in package tour will they allow in? "Small number", what do they mean by that?

To read more, go here. 

UPDATE:

Tour groups will be allowed into Japan on June 10, it has been announced.

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. 

Kishida Pledges To Relax Japan's Border Controls Next Month

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's prime minister is pledging that the country's border restrictions will be relaxed by next month. 

It appears that the long two-year ban on foreign tourism in Japan may be coming to an end, perhaps in stages.

According to Bloomberg:

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he would loosen Japan’s virus-related border controls in line with other wealthy democracies next month, as he sought to boost consumer spending to fight an economic slowdown. 

Kishida credited the border controls with helping the country weather the pandemic relatively well, even as he announced their relaxation Thursday in a speech in the City of London. The premier told an audience at Guildhall that Japan would be as accessible as other Group of Seven countries by next month, when leaders of the bloc are due to meet in Germany. 

Border easing would be welcomed by Japan’s tourism industry, which has been urging the government to allow in more overseas visitors to take advantage of the weakening yen. Until the pandemic, tourism was a rare bright spot for Japan’s economy as the number of foreign visitors expanded five-fold between 2011-19.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Government Advisor to Propose Letting in Tourists

Above, the Seven Samurai mural at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An unnamed Japanese government advisor is proposing that the country be reopened to foreign tourism. The advisor is expected to submit the proposal in a meeting today.

Whether or not the government will agree to this remains to be seen. It has been reported that tourism may reopen in autumn.

Bloomberg reported:

A Japanese government advisor plans to call for reopening the country to tourists, the Yomiuri newspaper said, amid a recent decline in new Covid infections and calls to ease strict border controls put in place in early 2020.

An unnamed, private-sector member of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, which advises Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is expected to submit the proposal in a meeting Wednesday, the Yomiuri reported without saying how it obtained the information. It was not immediately clear whether the member had the support of the council’s other members.  

To read more, go here. 

Shinjuku Station Is Getting A ¥72.8 Billion Makeover

Above, commuters cataching a Yamanote Line train at Shinjuku Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, I've been there several times to catch trains to Nakano (where Mandarake stores are located at Nakano Broadway) and Setagaya (where Toho Studios is located). The most recent time I've used it was in 2015.

Shinjuku Station is reputed to be the busiest in the world and not easy to navigate. I've never had a problem with it.

But, according to Time Out Tokyo, Shinjuku station is getting a makeover to make it more user-friendly.

They wrote:

Getting lost in Shinjuku Station is an emotional experience. With 12 different train lines and 36 platforms, it’s officially the world’s busiest train station, with an estimated 3.59 million people passing through it every day. As if the sheer number of commuters didn’t make things disorienting enough, Shinjuku Station has over 200 exits that even locals have a difficult time navigating. 

There might be an end to the chaos – at least, in the distant future – with renovations underway to improve the station’s layout and make it more hospitable for those of us passing through. New features will include a footpath allowing for people to cut through the station from the east side to the west side without having to go through any ticket barriers.

Above, the walk from Shinjuku Station to see Godzilla peering over buildings is an easy one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Toho Might Be Working On A New Kaiju Project

Above, yours truly and friends at Toho Studios' Godzilla statue in Setagaya.

It has been a few years since Toho Co., Ltd. released Shin Godzilla.

Now there are reports that Toho "may" be working on a new kaiju project in Japan. Rumor has it that the movie will be set in the 1940s. Is the Japan Godzilla about to return to the silver screen?

ComicBook.com reported:

Godzilla has spent decades rampaging his way thanks to movies that have arrived from Japan and North America, with Legendary Pictures recently announcing that it was creating a new television series with Apple TV+ to bring back the MonsterVerse. Now, it seems that Toho Studios is looking to re-enter the game of kaiju as new reports are emerging that the movie producers are set to begin filming on a new kaiju project that is set to take place during a very unique time period.     

It's been a few years since we last saw the Godzilla of the East, with Shin Godzilla introducing a very different version of the lizard king, created under the expertise of Hideaki Anno, the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion. With the latest film from Japan introducing the most terrifying looking lizard king to date, there has yet to be word as to whether this new take on the classic kaiju will be making a comeback in the future. Anno himself is keeping busy however and is expanding the "Shin Universe" with upcoming takes on two other classic characters from Japan in Shin Kamen Rider and Shin Ultraman.

To read more, go here. 

Movieweb: All Godzilla Films Ranked

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ratings of films and anything else is a subjective exercise. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

With that in mind, Movieweb has all Godzilla movies ranked (unfortunately, the rankings cut off at no. 17). You may agree or disagree with their conclusions. It's all in fun.

They begin with:

With over 30 movies in the franchise, Godzilla films run the gamut from philosophical and haunting to ludicrously over the top. Like any large franchise that has lasted for a significant amount of time, Godzilla has gone through several different adaptations and remakes. The first phase is commonly known as the Showa era and covers the 15 titles released between 1954 and 1975. The second phase is called the Heisei era and consists of seven titles released between 1984 and 1995. The third phase is the Millennium era which covers the six titles released between 1999 and 2004. Then, there are the multiple reboots, both Japanese and American, and the three-part Netflix series. To simplify matters here is a ranked list of the existing films.

To see where the movies rank, go here. 

Japan Extends Tight Entry Rules

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like foreign visitors to Japan will have to wait a bit longer to visit the country.

The prime minister said that the tight entry restriction rules will be in place longer so that the details of the omicron variant are more known.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday Japan will extend its tight entry rules until at least early next year to prevent the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The government initially said the rules, banning new entries by foreigners worldwide and requiring returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents to quarantine in government-designated facilities, would be in place for about a month to the year-end.

To read more, go here. 

Today Is Godzilla Day!

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 1983, my mom grumbled about King Kong's 50th anniversary. You see, she and Kong arrived in 1933. She groused, "I wish they didn't make such a big deal of this, it's reminding me of my age!"

Well, I had somewhat a similar feeling in 2004 when it was Godzilla's 50th anniversary. I was born in 1954 and Godzilla arrived on the scene (in Japanese theaters) on November 3, 1954. Since I was involved in some of the stateside festivities in 2004, it really didn't bother me too much.

Well, this year (today, to be exact), Toho International and Godzilla fans are celebrating Godzilla's 67th anniversary (or birthday, if you prefer).

According to The Pop Insider:

Today, Nov. 3, is all about The King of the Monsters — It’s Godzilla Day!

This year, Toho International is celebrating this iconic kaiju with a variety of new products and events for fans. To start, today kicks off a month-long series of Godzilla screenings at Alamo Drafthouse locations across the country — Learn more about that here!

So, let's raise a glass to the King of the Monsters!

To read more, go here. 

Japan To Shorten Quarantine To 10 Days

Above, Toho Studios in the Setagaya section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is about to shorten quarantine time for vaccinated foreign nationals who enter the country to 10 days from 14.

The policy is very odd since people have limited amounts of time for travel and being in self-quarantine for even 10 days would be a hardship. So why bother to even go there?

Even with this easing, Japan's policy of entering the country is confusing, to put it mildly. To see why, read below, especially the parts in bold. It reminds me of the old saying, "A camel is a horse designed by a committee."

According to the Japan Times (some snippets): 

Good news for people planning to travel or return to Japan: The government is expected to shorten the period of self-isolation upon arrival for vaccinated people from 14 to 10 days — the first time the nation will have eased quarantine measures since the beginning of the year.

The revised quarantine measures, likely to be announced Thursday, will only apply to people who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved in Japan — Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.

The revision is expected to take effect as early as the end of September.

At present, all people traveling to Japan need to get tested twice — within 72 hours before their departure and on arrival — before they go into the mandatory self-isolation period.

Depending on where they come from and the pandemic situation there, some arrivals are required to stay in government-designated facilities for a certain period of time ー ranging from three to 10 days ー and undergo additional COVID-19 tests as part of their two-week quarantine. Others can isolate at home or an accommodation of their choosing.

At present, only Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with a valid residence status are allowed to enter Japan. Exceptions are made only for those seeking entry under exceptional circumstances.

However, Japan has banned foreign nationals with residence status from entering Japan if they are traveling from certain regions and nations such as India and many of its neighboring countries, which had been struggling to contain the virus.

It is bizarre that at first Japan says foreign nationals can enter, but have to be quarantined. Then they say they can't enter unless they have a "valid residence status". 

It is probably best to not even bother going there until the pandemic is over.

To read the full article, go here.