Stripes Japan: Visiting Osaka Castle

Above, Osaka Castle in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Godzilla fans, when Osaka Castle gets mentioned, they immediately think of Godzilla Raids Again (1955) (Gojira no Gyakushū, lit. 'Godzilla's Counterattack'). For it was at Osaka Castle in the movie that Godzilla vanquishes Anguirus.

Today, Osaka Castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Osaka, Japan. I have visited it twice.

Above, yours truly with samurai swords at Osaka Castle in 2015.

Stripes Japan - Stars and Stripes posted an article on visiting Osaka Castle, calling it the "symbol of Japan's third largest city."

They begin with:

It only took me ten minutes of walking from JR Osakajokoen until I finally saw the tip of the castle from Osaka Park. Yet it was enough to amaze me. Even from afar I could see that the castle boasted impressive gold ornaments and intrinsic detail, making it aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

The symbol of Osaka was built in 1583 on the former site of Ishiyama Honganji Temple, as ordered by Hideyoshi Toyotomi during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. He was a famous warlord who successfully brought all provinces in Japan under his rule, unifying the nation in 1590.  

Every building in the complex remains in their original construction, except the main tower. It was reconstructed in 1931, following the original exterior design from the Toyotomi era. This building consists of 8 floors in total and acts as the centerpiece of the complex.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan features a spotlight on Osaka Castle.

To read more, go here. 

While You Visit The Godzilla Slide, She Can Shop At A New Yokosuka Shopping Complex

Above, you can visit the Godzilla slide while she shops at a new shopping complex. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When the coronavirus pandemic ends and there's no more cases, a trip to Japan would then be possible.

If one happens to be a Godzilla fan, a day trip to Yokosuka from Tokyo to visit the Godzilla slide at the Kurihama Flower World is a must-do. But if that fan is in Japan with a spouse or girlfriend and she couldn't care less about Godzilla, she can go shop at a new shopping and entertainment complex while the fan is savoring the Big G. (See? I am always looking out for ya!)

According to Stripes Japan:

A new shopping and entertainment complex near Yokosuka Naval Base has finally opened its doors after months of delayed openings due to COVID-19.

Coaska Bayside opened its supermarket in April, but the rest of the building’s 100 shops remained closed due to the State of Emergency declared on April 7. 

The rest of the 6-story complex, which opened June 5, features a large food court, clothing, home and cosmetics shops. The top two floors include various entertainment facilities like a movie theater, bowling alley and more.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan provides directions on how to get to the Godzilla slide at Kurihama Flower World.

To read more, go here.

Godzilla Celebrates 65th Anniversary In Tokyo November 3

Nothing like being reminded of one's age!

In 1954, both Godzilla and I appeared on the scene and this year marks the 65th anniversary of the King of the Monsters.

But, that aside, Godzilla fans will want to be in Tokyo next month.

Above, Akira Takarada (right) will be navigating Godzilla's 65th
 anniversary ceremonies on November 3. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A celebration will be taking place in Hibiya on November 3.

According to Stars & Stripes Japan:

Godzilla fans will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the birth of Japan’s #1 icon at Godzilla Fest 2019 in Hibiya, on Nov. 3 during a day-long commemoration of the character’s 1954 nationwide theater debut. The birthday gala at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, around the corner from where feudal lords ruled during the Edo Period has become a yearly tradition chronicling the king’s blazing path, which formatively burned bridges of monster entertainment down to the ground and inspires audiences to this day. 

Midtown is a bustling epicenter of towering hotels, premium shops, cafes, and Toho’s multiplex cinemas. The crowning masterpiece at Godzilla Square is the Shin Godzilla statue, unveiled in 2018, depicting the final scene from 2016’s Japan Academy Award-winning film, directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi. Both are currently working on Shin Ultraman, slated for a 2021 release. 

This year marks the third Godzilla Fest and once again will include themed “G-Food,” drinks, a pop-up store, product tie-ins with the Godzilla Store in Shinjuku, quiz contests, and special guests with Godzilla veteran actor Akira Takarada navigating this year’s opening ceremonies.

To read more, go here. 

Despite Restoration Work, Miyajima's Beauty Can Still Be Enjoyed

Above, O-torii at Miyajima in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2004, G-TOUR made a stop at Miyajima near Hiroshima to take in the sights, including the O-torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine. Access to Miyajima is by ferry boat.

Currently, restoration work is taking place at the popular tourist attraction, but as Stars & Stripes (a.k.a. Stripes Japan) points out, the work shouldn't detract from the beauty of them.

Above, Itsukushima and O-torii from the ferry. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They begin with:

The floating O-torii and Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima south of Hiroshima are two of Japan’s most popular attractions, but ongoing restoration work there shouldn’t stop Americans stationed in Japan from planning a visit. 

Miyajima, or the “Island of the Gods,” is one of the three most scenic places in Japan, according to the island’s official tourist website, and a prime destination for an easy day trip or weekend getaway for those at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. 

It’s especially popular for professional and amateur photographers who make their way around the picturesque landscape. 

The most popular photo subject is the O-torii, which appears to float gently on the waves when the tide is high. The bright orange structure, which stands nearly 60 feet tall in stark contrast to the dark green, forested hillsides behind it, was built in 1875 and is the eighth O-torii at Miyajima. The first was built in 1168. 

Other photo ops include Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its brilliant orange pillars and wooden walkways. There’s also the five-story Tahoto Pagoda, which pokes above the cherry trees, and the many scenic orange footbridges in Momijidani Park that cross a small river. They’re perfect for family photos.

To read more, go here. 

Essentials For Long-Haul Flights

Above, a view of the economy section of a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Flying to Japan from Los Angeles is an eleven-hour flight. To make yourself more comfortable, there are a few "essentials" you may want to bring with you in your carry-on luggage.

Keep in mind that the article, appearing in Stripes Japan, is written from a woman's point-of-view.

It begins with:

As an expat living overseas, I have done my fair share of long-haul flights and after years of trial and error, I developed a pretty neat list of travel essentials that help me prepare for, as well as comfortably last through the multi-hour flights (especially the red-eye!). I thought it might be useful to share some of my tips and tricks and give a peek into my carry-on bag.

To see what the essentials are, go here.

Stripes Japan: 9 Travel Tips and Lessons Learned

Above, a Japanese business hotel room. Everything in your luggage accounted for? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Have you ever gone on a vacation or business trip and found that your luggage had been lost or stolen, or valuables (jewelry) had been stolen out of your check-in baggage or some other mishap?

Well, Stripes Japan has nine good tips (from learning the hard way) that will help prevent or, at the very least, minimize any misfortune.

They begin with:

I wouldn’t trade the thrill of traveling for anything, but as joyous and fulfilling my worldly adventures have been, I had my fair share of mishaps and less than favorable travel moments. After a decade of independent travel around the world, I think it is time to share some of the lessons learned and tips I have accumulated thus far.

I will share their first tip so that you'll get an idea on what the other eight will be:

Lock your suitcases 

There were couple of occasions when my checked in luggage was opened and things – mainly fake jewelry – were stolen from my suitcases (beware of Ukranian Airlines!). Since then I firmly decided not to take any chances and make sure to put a special little padlock on my suitcase. It is cheap and doesn’t require particular effort, so I’d rather do that than have something taken out of my bag again. Another way you can secure your bag is to have it wrapped in plastic wrappers available at the airports.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla's Seaside City Home

Above, the Godzilla slide with a dusting of snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hardcore Godzilla fans are very much familiar with the (roughly) 30-foot Godzilla slide at the Kurihama Flower World park in Yokosuka.

I visited the Godzilla slide in February 2014 on a cold day that included occasional snow flurries. As the park's trams weren't operating that day, I had to hike up to it. Fortunately for me, I was in good enough condition with hiking experience to make the hike without having a heart attack in the process. I may go there again later this year when there's better weather conditions and the tram is operating.

Stripes Japan has posted an article on the Godzilla slide with some history on the current slide and one that was originally erected at Tatara Beach.

They begin with:

YOKOSUKA, Japan — The "Godzilla" series started in 1954. In the middle of the first film, a warning is broadcast as the nation braces for attack by the giant monster: "Godzilla has been detected undersea 15 miles northeast of Kannonzaki cape, moving toward the northwest." 

Spotted first off the cape in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Godzilla lands on Tokyo's Shibaura waterfront, sweeps away high-voltage barbed-wire fences, stomps off unscathed by a barrage of bombardments and soon turns the bustling Shimbashi and Ginza districts into a sea of fire. 

In other words, the monster never set foot on the grounds of Yokosuka or destroyed the port city. Even so, Yokosukans strongly feel Godzilla still has a deep connection with their city.

If one is a "serious" Godzilla fan, a pilgrimage to the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka is a must.

To read more, go here.

Yesterday's Blog Pick-ups

The good folks at The Japan Daily picked up several blog posts from yesterday, including one from Monster Island News, to share with their readers.

They are:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

Stripes Japan Kaiju Pick-ups

For those in the service of our country in Japan (or the Pacific region) and their families, Stripes Japan is an online version of the Stripes Japan newspaper.

In case some of them happen to be kaiju fans, Stripes Japan picked up three kaiju-oriented articles during this past year for their readers. They were originally posted at JapanTravel.

Here's what Stripes Japan is about:

Japan.stripes.com is an interactive version of Stripes Japan, a newspaper serving the U.S. military community in mainland Japan with local, community-focused news and information on events, dining, activities, travel, and entertainment. Stripes Japan and Japan.stripes.com were established to meet the demand of the U.S. military community for local news and information in an easily accessible, English-language format. 

Stripes Japan is printed every week and is a product of Stars and Stripes Pacific. Stripes Japan and Stripes’ other community products are supplements of the daily Stars and Stripes newspaper and its corresponding website, stripes.com. Stars and Stripes is authorized for publication by the Department of Defense (DOD) for members of the U.S. military serving overseas. 

The contents of Stripes Japan and its corresponding website, Japan.stripes.com, are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense or the U.S. Pacific Command.

The three articles posted:

Rodan's Saikai Bridge

Tokyo Tower, The Monster Magnet

Yokosuka's Godzilla Slide