My 2024
Godzilla Places

Mt Fuji from our Tokyo-bound Shinkansen on November 5, 2024

Going to Osaka I selected seats on the side of the train where Mt Fuji could be seen. But the mountain was a no show due to the thick cloud cover. Again on the return trip I selected the Fuji seats again. I had little hope. But out of the blue Mt Fuji appeared. I was so happy for my friend Alex to see the mountain on his first trip to Japan.

Video footage of Mt Fuji from our Tokyo-bound Shinkansen on November 5, 2024

Several days earlier we planned to go to Yokohama to get some BayStars memorabilia for winning the championship. We also wanted to check out where Godzilla battled Mothra and Battra in Godzilla vs Mothra (1993). But the rainy weather turned us away. Also on that day’s itinerary was a trip to the Godzilla Generations exhibit featuring artists Yuji Kaida and Shinji Nishikawa at Gallery 21 in Odaiba. I had planned to go there on previous trips but I never made it. Little did I know that I captured it in a photo taken from the Tokyo Tower observatory deck during a trip in the late 90s. Its landmark, the Fuji Television Network Building, cannot be missed because of the huge “Hachitama” Spherical Observation Room. The center is a 27-floor complex towering 405 ft in Odaiba, Minato, Tokyo. Construction began on April 26, 1993 and completed on June 28, 1996.¹ The Fuji TV Building was the center of attention as a major battlefield in Godzilla vs Megaguirus (2000). In Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003), Godzilla is attacked as he appears in Tokyo Bay with Fuji TV in the background. The center was impressive on screen but even more impressive on site and in person.

Fuji Television Building in Odaiba (Nov 2, 2024) and in Godzilla vs Megaguirus and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

To my surprise our train ride to Odaiba took us across the Rainbow Bridge, a famous suspension bridge that connects the mainland to Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. We boarded the Yurikamome Line from the waterfront area with light rain and fog that created the perfect atmosphere and scene for Godzilla to appear. The expanse and scale of the Fuji Building and the surrounding plaza were awe-inspiring and quite impressive. Its view of Tokyo Bay includes a replica of Lady Liberty in New York City (I felt at home) and the Rainbow Bridge spanning Tokyo Bay. The bridge has an upper and lower deck. Pedestrians are permitted to walk over. From the bridge Mount Fuji can be seen.² The Rainbow Bridge appears in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla (1993), Godzilla 2000 (1999), Godzilla vs Megaguirus (2000) and Godzilla:Tokyo SOS (2003).

The Rainbow Bridge on November 2, 2024

On Godzilla Day, we rose early on a beautiful Sunday morning and headed to Godzilla Square in Hibiya following Shodai Godzilla’s destruction path through Ginza. First stop was the iconic and familiar Wako Building and famous clock tower which never gets old. This location was incinerated by Godzilla in 2016 and it took centerstage in Godzilla -1.0 (2023). This is an essential destination on every visit to Tokyo.

Wako Building in Ginza (Nov 3, 2024)

A short walk from the Wako Building, the iconic Yurakucho Center Building Mullion (有楽町マリオン) appears with the easily-recognizable Toho logo atop. It is the home to Toho Cinemas and Asahi Shimbun. This was the location of the iconic Nichigeki, smashed by Godzilla’s tail in 1954 on screen but rebuilt into the Yurakucho Center many years later. Godzilla leaned into it during his return to the big screen in 1984. Until recently, I didn’t realize the UFO in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah (1991) appeared above it.

Yurakucho Center Building Mullion (July 25, 2024)

Our last Godzilla place was literally our last stop in Japan, Haneda Airport, where Shin Godzilla appeared. But Haneda airport appears in one of the earliest Toho kaiju famous Varan in 1958. In an unforgettable scene, Gaira, the green Gargantua played by the legendary Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima, stomped across the runaway terrorizing the travelers and diners in The War of the Gargantuas (1966). It never crossed my mind until our good friend Makuta-san recommended we go to the roof and check out the site. And so we did! Haneda Airport is also the location for the final deadly battle between Godzilla and Destroyah (1995) and the start of life for Shin Godzilla (2016).

Haneda Airport on Nov 7, 2024 and in War of the Gargantuas (1966)

Godzilla places never disappoint and make every trip memorable. They will always keep me going back to find and visit more. My list of Godzilla places to visit is long. Time for another trip to Japan where Godzilla is waiting.