John Wayne Statues

Photos by Armand Vaquer

At present, I can't think of any celebrity with multiple statues as do John Wayne and Elvis Presley.

So far, I have visited three statues of The Duke over the years. As far as I know, these are the only ones of Wayne. 

Here's a rundown of the John Wayne statues I have visited:

The Horseman - John Wayne

This statue depicts John Wayne on horseback at the former Home Savings & Loan building on Wilshire Blvd. near La Cienega Blvd. Its address is 8484 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA.

John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in Winterset, Iowa. It is located in front of the museum.

John Wayne Airport

The most recent one I visited (two days ago) is located at John Wayne Airport. It is located on the Arrival (lower) Level between Riley Terminals A and B baggage claim areas.

Superman Statue Unveiled At Siegel and Shuster Plaza

Above, the unveiling of the Superman statue. Screen capture by Armand Vaquer.

It has been a long time in coming, but Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster have been honored with a new plaza in Cleveland.

A new statue of the Man of Steel was unveiled yesterday in the plaza.

According to News 5 Cleveland:

In the city that brought him to life, Superman now stands tall in the center of Cleveland after months of anticipation.

On Saturday, community members, comic book fans, county leaders and members of the Siegel & Shuster Society gathered downtown to celebrate the unveiling of the new Superman statue and the newly named Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza, according to a spokesperson with Cuyahoga County.

The Man of Steel, quite literally made from stainless steel, sits in the plaza on an 18-foot pillar alongside bronze statues of Siegel, Shuster, and Joanne Siegel, who was the original model for Lois Lane, the county said.

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. 

Good Idea!

Leave it to James Woods to come up with good ideas!

 

In a toilet stall maybe? https://t.co/OnqUFLgUOF

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 30, 2025

How To Plan A Trip To Japan On A Budget

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

Not everyone has pockets big enough to afford international travel, including Japan.

Travel + Leisure has posted a handy article telling how to plan a trip to Japan a budget. There are some tips on transportation, food, lodging and free activities.

They begin it with:

Japan is a top destination for travelers in 2025. And while some of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences — whether that’s savoring exquisitely prepared nigiri at a Michelin-starred omakase restaurant, staying at one of the best five-star hotels in Tokyo, or relishing a luxurious private onsen experience — do cost a pretty penny, a memorable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun doesn’t have to break the bank (especially considering the weak yen, which fell to a 38-year low this past July). Even in pricier cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, there are plenty of affordable activities, accommodations, and places to eat. And if you venture beyond the main tourist hubs, the prices get even more reasonable. 

Here's how to plan a trip to Japan on a budget.

To read more, go here. 

Superman Statue Gets New Santa Hat

The Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois posted the following on November 30 on Facebook:

This reminded me of my trip to Metropolis in November 2016 to attend Noel Neill's Celebration of Life services.

Upon arrival in town, the first thing (besides the Super Museum) I saw was the Superman statue in the town square. I took photos of the statue with my Winnebago in the foreground. This was a day or so before the Santa hat was placed on it.

I took a few photos of it and had another tourist take one of me at the statue during my time there.

Superman Statue Press Conference

Above, artist's conception of the Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza. 

A press conference will be held Thursday, June 20 on the Superman Statue to be erected at the Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza. It will be the kick-off for the fundraising campaign.

THE SUPERMAN STATUE IS COMING!!!

What: Superman Statue Press Conference

When: Thursday, June 20, Noon

Where: Cleveland History Center,

10825 East Blvd., Cleveland

Superman Comes Home!

After years of effort, nationally renowned sculptor David Deming’s vision of a triumphant Man of Steel will soon fly in his hometown.

Deming, working with the Siegel and Shuster Society and Cuyahoga County Council, has created a statue of Superman that will be one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.

Thursday is the kick-off of a $2.5 million fundraiser for the stainless steel statue of Superman in flight on an 18-foot pylon. Superman will measure almost 10 feet from finger to boot tip and will be the centerpiece of the Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza at the newly expanded Huntington Convention Center at St. Clair Avenue and Ontario Street, appropriately across from the Cleveland Justice Center.

Life-size bronze statues of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and Jerry’s wife (and inspiration for Lois Lane), Joanne Siegel, will gaze up at the Superman statue. Nearby will be a phone booth with a suspicious pile of clothing inside, completing the tableau.

Deming, along with Siegel and Shuster Society President (and Jerry Siegel cousin) Gary Kaplan, Leigh Goldie (Joe Shuster’s cousin) and society founding member Michael Sangiacomo will offer brief remarks and answer questions Thursday.

The Society has provided substantial funds and plan to make additional donations. No taxpayer money is being used for this project. We seek donations from ordinary citizens from all walks of life who believe that a man can fly -- at least one man.

Want to be part of Cleveland and comic book history? Tax deductible donations of any size can be made to the Siegel and Shuster Society, an all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity organization through its website which goes live at noon Tuesday, June 18.

Donations can also be mailed to the Siegel and Shuster Society c/o Leigh Goldie, 23500 Mercantile Road, Suite D, Beachwood, OH, 44122.

Further information is available through Gary Kaplan at garysteven1188@gmail.com  (216-409-1722) or Michael Sangiacomo at mikesang@aol.com 216-870-0014.

 

John Wayne Statue In Beverly Hills

Above, the John Wayne Statue with the Great Western Savings headquarters in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the Facebook John Wayne fan groups posted photos of the statue of the Duke at what was once the headquarters of Great Western Savings. Wayne made television commercials for Great Western that brought in a lot of clients.

Great Western Savings is gone, but the statue remains. 

Above, the east side of the statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From Roadside America:

This building was the headquarters of Great Western Savings and Loan, one of the largest savings and loans in the nation. John Wayne did television commercials for Great Western from 1977 until his death in 1979. As a tribute to their celebrity spokesman, Great Western commissioned in 1984 a full-sized bronze statue of the actor by noted American western-motif sculptor Harry Jackson to stand in front of their headquarters. The building was later sold in 1992. Magazine publisher Larry Flynt obtained the building and statue in 1994, and sold the building in 2013.

Above, a view of the statue from its base. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 1985, I was in the Wilshire and La Cienega area of Los Angeles and stopped and took a few pictures of the statue. It is actually in Beverly Hills at 8484 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA.  This was about eight years before I worked at an insurance company a few blocks east on Wilshire Blvd.

The photos that accompany this blog post were taken during that visit.

Here is a 1977 commercial featuring two of his children:

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. 

California Woke Mob Coming for Marilyn Monroe!

Above, Marilyn Monroe's crypt at Westwood Village Memorial Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During each passing day, more and more idiots come out of California's woodwork.

Now the California woke mob is going after Marilyn Monroe (or at least her statue in Palm Springs).

Here's the latest from the "Land of Fruits & Nuts".

From For The Love of News:

Marilyn Monroe is under attack! Or at least the 26-foot statue in Palm Springs, California is. The statue, called “Forever Marilyn” that stands in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum and is the target of a group of woke nutjobs that call themselves the Committee to Relocate Marilyn. I think a better idea would be to relocate the wokesters, but I don’t get a say.

As if Civil War statues weren’t enough, Marilyn is going to get the cancel culture treatment if these people get their way. Check this out.  

Perhaps there are bigger fish to fry than a statue of Marilyn Monroe if you are truly concerned about objectifying women? Isn’t California the home state of the porn industry? Aren’t sneaky dudes still taking trophies from real female athletes and creeping their locker rooms? Thought so. Perhaps a statue should be on the back burner until some real work is done to protect women and women’s rights. Nah, of course not. It is much easier to rage against an inanimate object as opposed to a faker in a wig and lipstick. Much safer as well.

After you're done shaking your head in disbelief, to read the full story, go here.

Japan Travel: What To Expect

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

Japan reopened to foreign visitors last fall. There were some changes in procedures and what one has to do to enter the country.

The Thrifty Traveler recently visited Japan and has posted an article with some takeaways on what he found.

The article begins with:

Long after all of Europe, Singapore, and even Australia reopened for international travel, Japan remained closed for international travel for more than two and a half long years. At long last, that all changed in October.

Yes, trips to Japan are officially back on the docket. The country's long-awaited reopening last fall was a pivotal moment in international travel's recovery from the depths of pandemic. More travelers are flocking back to Japan each day or making plans to get there.

What awaits them? I headed for Japan earlier this month to find out firsthand. And while I spent just a few days in Tokyo, I think I can safely say this: Aside from a few relatively minor changes, all the reasons why you want to go (or return) to Japan are still waiting for you.

To read more, go here. 

Superman Loses Head In Windstorm

Superman is invulnerable to bullets, fire, artillery and many other things, but apparently wind isn't one of them.

The Metropolis Illinois News posted the following on Facebook:

Above, the Man of Steel sans head. Photo by Metropolis Illinois News.

*Breaking*

It is confirmed that the wind today blew off Superman's head.

Maintenance crews are asking the general public to avoid the area, as they work fervently into the night to reattach.

 Here's the stature before its decapitation:

Above, the statue in November 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

NOTE: This story is possibly a fake one. A couple posted a video of themselves in front of the statue and the head was on it.

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 Plans To Double Entry Cap In June

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

Japan is looking to allowing foreign tourists into the country in June. One of the steps towards this is doubling the entry cap to 20,000.

From The Japan Times:

Japan’s government is arranging to double the cap on arrivals from overseas to 20,000 people per day in June, government sources said Wednesday.

The relaxation of the cap is expected to go ahead following an examination of airport quarantine infrastructure and the coronavirus situation in the country after the Golden Week holidays, which ended Sunday.

Additionally, the government is considering accepting tourists by trialing small-scale tours as soon as this month, with an eye to expanding the number of tourists in stages.

Japan, which adopted the strictest pandemic border measures among Group of Seven nations, has been under pressure to reopen.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tourism: No Plans To Reopen

Above, the Nagasaki Peace Statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like foreign tourism to Japan won't be happening anytime soon.

That is the position of the Japanese government. They've relaxed entry restrictions for students and business, but not for tourism.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan has no plan for now to resume the entry of foreign tourists to the country but will make a judgment after looking at the COVID-19 infection situation and border control steps taken by other nations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday.

To read more, go here.

Travel To Japan "Soon" In Summer?

Above, we may be able to visit Godzilla at Toho Studios again. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

KHON2 News, a Honolulu-based station, reports that there are indications that travel to Japan may be coming "soon", perhaps this summer.

Right now, only business and student travel to Japan is allowed, and that's limited.

Acccording to KHON2:

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ) said the Japan Association of Travel Agents is sending its first delegation to the islands. The visit may come with some good news for locals whose sights are set on Japan.

HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange student. That could change soon.

“The Japan government and the Japan travel industry is telling us that those restrictions for tourism reasons from the U.S. should be eased as well and so that’s where we’re looking at probably sometime in the summer when Hawaii residents are able to travel back to Japan.”    

- ERIC TAKAHATA OF HAWAII TOURISM JAPAN.

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 National Navajo Code Talkers Day

Above, the Legendary Navajo Code Talkers statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Today, we remember the Navajo code talkers who played a big part in the Allied victory over Germany and Japan during World War II.

From Six-String Soldiers Facebook page:

On this day in history in 1982, National Navajo Code Talkers Day was established as a yearly holiday by President Ronald Reagan. This special day celebrates the Native Americans that used their native Navajo language to create unbreakable codes against the Axis Powers in World War II. Roughly 25 percent of all Native American men served in World War II. These code breakers played a crucial role in many individual battles, including D-Day and Iwo Jima. Today we ask you to take a moment to honor and celebrate their service and sacrifice.

Above, the Navajo Code Talkers statue at the Gallup Cultural Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

From the National Park Service:

Fort Wingate, with its earthen, igloo-like storage buildings visible from Route 66, became a major storage center.  Most famous of Fort Wingate’s World War II contributions, however, were the Navajo code talkers who trained here.  The code talkers baffled Japanese forces in the Pacific using a code based on the Navajo language. 

Above, some of the remaining buildings of Fort Wingate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

Do's And Don'ts Of Preparing For A Trip To Japan

Above, at the Toho Studios Godzilla statue in Setagaya.

Eventually, we'll be able to travel to Japan for a vacation again. When that happens all depends upon when the Japanese government gets its act together on dealing with the pandemic and the citizens are vaccinated.

Oddly enough, there are some Godzilla fans who have a Japan vacation on their "bucket list" of things to do but still haven't made the trip. So much of this is targeted to them.

There are some unwritten do's and don'ts of Japan travel and The Travel has posted some basic ones.

They begin with:

A trip to Japan is one of the most thrilling trips a person can take in their lifetime. There's a sense of wonder, fascination, and genuine curiosity when it comes to this country, and it's part of the allure that brings millions of people there year after year. Some parts of Japan, such as Tokyo, will always seem like a futuristic world while others, such as Kyoto, seem to be frozen in time, perfectly quaint and beautiful.

No matter where a traveler chooses to go in Japan, etiquette rules will follow. Each country has its own (somewhat unspoken) rules when it comes to showing respect and Japan has many. With that being said, it's not the end of the world if a traveler accidentally does something impolite - but being aware and conscientious goes a long way in this incredible country. Here are some do's and don'ts to know before even booking a trip to Japan.

To read more, go here.