Follow from October 31 to November 7, 2024
Day 1: Chicago
Up, up and away we go on our way to Japan. Alex and I are headed to Philadelphia International to start the journey. My great friend Matt took us to the airport on a bright sunny day. TSA agents were smiling, welcoming and helpful. We boarded our flight to Chicago which had some intense turbulence when we prepared to land in the Windy City. Our pilots were pros. Our flight to Japan was in terminal one but our gate was at C-19 which required a walk under the runway. Upon boarding we realized it was not a full flight. So we had extra seats to sprawl out. The flight was comfortable and customer service impeccable.10.31-11.2
Day 2: Haneda
We arrived at Haneda Airport on the next day at 5:45 pm. The sun had set but we had a task list to complete. After a challenge to get our eSIMS installed we headed to the ATM that rejected my card. We will sort that out tomorrow. Then we headed to Hibiya Godzilla Square to pick up the CCP Godzilla 2001 exclusive figure. To my surprise at the Tokyo Film Festival Space Cruiser Yamato was on the big screen outside on the big stage used for Godzilla Day. We finally headed to our hotel in Asakusa. When we entered our room we were greeted by Godzilla -1.0 on Japanese TV. And minutes after the movie ended, Toho announced a new Godzilla film written and directed by Yamazaki. What a great day! 11.2
Day 3: Tokyo
A few days ago we saw the rainy forecast for today So we came up with a plan to swap what we planned for the last day with what we planned for today. Today will be all about indoor shopping. I hope to make up for the last trip. It rained but not our fun as we found Baystore in Yokohama Station for Alex. Then we headed to Godzilla Generations at the beautiful Gallery21 in Daiba, where Godzilla battle Megaguirus. The timing was perfect because arriving right after us was Yuji Kaida and his wife. Alex gave him a present. I talked to Mrs Kaida about her role as an extra in Godzilla -1.0. And I left with great goodies by Masters Nishikawa and Kaida. Then we headed to Nakano Broadway for tons of Godzilla sofubi and stuff. I left like Santa with bags of Godzilla. We were wiped out and decided to head home to prepare for Godzilla day on Sunday. 11.2-3
Day 4: Godzilla Fes 2024 at Hibiya Godzilla Square
The Big G’s Day is here, the one we have all been waiting for. While we slept, new Godzilla figures and must-get merch appeared. We woke up to sunny skies and a backyard view of Asakusa Sensoji. We are excited about all the events today and the movie tonight along with the friends we will see in between. Godzilla Day was nothing less than awesome. We started early with a walk through Ginza from the Wako Building to Godzilla Square where friends from far and near gathered to celebrate our Godzilla. The event began with a welcome where international guests were called out and greeted with applause. Soon after we headed to the Godzilla Store on the 3rd floor of Chanter for great goodies. And I was greeted with an amazing surprise. We then headed to the Godzilla Store and Godzilla Head in Shinjuku making a quick stop at the anniversary display and sale at UNIQLO. After returning to the Square we meet more friends for great conversation and an impromptu video. Then came the highlight of the day when Director Yamazaki took the stage and was later joined by Toho legends at the Godzilla 4K Remaster showing at Toho Cinemas Midtown. 11.3-4
Day 5: Osaka
We are up at 4 looking to get out the door to catch the Shinkansen bound for Shin-Osaka for our 10:30 entry to the Godzilla Expo. Our crazy schedule doesn’t stop there. The day will be filled with more Godzilla fun and shopping than the day before. And as we planned it, so the day went. The expo was amazing. I can’t wait to share the pictures. It was small but loaded. We hit up three Godzilla shops followed by excursions to ADMSKI, Jungle and more in Den Den. We closed the day with curry at my favorite CoCo Ichibanya. 11.4-6
Day 6: Kyoto?
We had a big audible last night. We decided to forego Kyoto to get back to Tokyo early so we could visit the places we were going to miss. So we got up early and boarded the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka. And along the way the skies pulled back and Mt Fuji said hello! We’ve had great timing on all trip that have given us the most memorable experiences. Our first destiny was Toho Studios! Next, we head to Shibuya for Mandarake, Tower Records and Yokocho. Then we hit the wall, ate more curry and crashed back at the hotel after another great day. 10.6
Day 7: Tokyo
We are up early and ready for our last full day. We have a great meeting planned for the morning. And we have left the rest of the day for souvenirs and playing the day by ear. Later we will pack our bags. Stay tuned for photos and a full report on the trip. Today was very special. Alex and I met Ultraman and Godzilla writer and friend Keita Makuta. It was a great honor to meet him for great conversation, coffee and cake. Thank you so very much Makuta-san! Later I picked up some souvenirs and gifts in Asakusa along with a big bag to bring home the goodies. The day and trip came to a close with my three bowls of vegetarian curry at CoCo Ichibanya. 11.6-7
Day 8: Headed Home
We are up early. But as for me with little sleep after getting the disappointing election results. My bags are packed. We are going to meet Kyle from Collect All Monsters at the train station after we check out. After some time spent hanging out we will head to Haneda Airport for our flight to Chicago and Philly. It has been an awesome trip with unexpected surprises and treats. Much more to share when I get back to the other side of the world. We arrived in Philadelphia in the late evening after a good meal at Haneda and a short 11-hour flight to Chicago. We can’t wait to make the trip again. 11.7
Celebrating 30 Years of Travel to Japan
We are days away from the next voyage to Japan for Godzilla Day, which actually is Godzilla Week with Godzilla things to do every day. Here is what I love about Japan.
1994-2024
Godzilla
Shopping
Walking
Art
Cuisine
Design
Toys
Movies
Characters
Sightseeing
Vending Machines
Streets
Bookstores
The Unexpected
Friends & Culture
Pre-Flight
We have come to the moment we’ve been waiting for. We had our last trip call to finalize our plans. Tonight we will hangout to head to the airport in the morning. I’m grateful for another trip to Japan. Praying for the best trip. We look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones while celebrating the Big G’s Big Day. 10.30
Time to check my apps and update my devices so that they are trip ready. I gotta make sure I can blog on this trip. 10.28
I made tough decisions on what to take and to leave. I washed my final load of clothes before closing my bag. 10.27
I started completing my travel ready tasks online as we await our boarding pass 24 hours before our takeoff. 10.27
We had a regular Zoom call this morning to tie up loose ends and to make contingency plans for rainy days. 10.27
Yesterday, I did my last minute shopping for jeans and a shirt. My list is now complete. Time to zip my bags up. 10.27
I gave myself my trip haircut this morning. I need to go pickup a few remaining items and my pack will be complete. 10.26
I just went through my travel list and packed up my bag. This travel bag has been the best. I’m just about ready to go. 10.24
As of 10 AM we are one week away. We’ve been going over our itinerary, watching videos and getting excited. 10.24
Tickets for Godzilla go up for sale in two days. My dear friend will try to snag them for us. Pray for another miracle. 10.24
My golden Godzilla is on its way. The Oscar was the perfect present for the 70-year reign as the king of the monsters. 10.24
It’s arrived, well at least on iTunes. The deluxe edition of the Godzilla -1.0 is required listening for long flights. 10.17
I cannot travel far from home without my Ricola drops (original formulation), especially during the fall & winter. 10.17
Two tickets secured for the Godzilla Expo in Osaka. Thanks to my dear Japanese friend I cannot do without. 10.16
I made my first trip to CVS to pick up my travel essentials. I’ve begun light packing and scrutinizing my checklist. 10.16
My new iPhone portable charger arrived. It was too cumbersome to use the magnetic charger I used during my last trip. 10.16
Itinerary
Godzilla Day (schedule & map), Godzilla 4K at Toho Cinemas Hibiya, Godzilla Head, Godzilla Stores (Tokyo, Osaka, Umeda), Godzilla Expo, Gallery21, Tokyo Night & Light: Godzilla Attack on Tokyo, Toho Studios, Setagaya Museum, Nakano Broadway, Yokohama, Shinjuku, Shibuya (Shibuya Stream), Ikebukuro, Ginza, Osaka (Osaka Castle, Den Den, ADMSKI, Tsutenkaku Tower) & Kyoto (Enkoji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple)
Things to Do
Travel Essentials
Itinerary
Packing
Countdown
Big Update
Seventy Years Ago
Little did the world know that on November 3, 1954, the world’s greatest monster would be born. Seventy years later, we will join the Japanese audience on Godzilla Day to watch the King of the Monsters come to life for the first time in Godzilla (1954), digitally remastered in 4K. We will be greeted by Godzilla -1.0 Director Takashi Yamazaki and Yoshio Suzuki, who was an assistant modeler on the original Godzilla suit. This was made possible by my dear friend. Thank you so much. 10.26
Better than Gold
The Ichiban Kuji Godzilla 2023 Gold Version has arrived. There’s nothing better to celebrate Godzilla’s historical 2024 Academy Award for SPX than a replica of Director Yamazaki’s gold Godzilla. This figure was sculpted by Master Yuji Sakai and is one of the best such that I had to have all three completing my trifecta. All my golden guy needs now is a bow tie. 10.25
A New York Miracle
And in the most unexpected way I saw Director Yamazaki at New York Comic Con. Without a ticket and without attending the Godzilla 70th Anniversary panel, I had the best experience imaginable. And I met Godzilla. It was a great day to be in New York. And to cap it off Jeremy gifted me this amazing fluorescent X-Plus North America collector’s card featuring the Godzilla 1962 box art. Read the full story. 10.20
A Chance to Meet Director Yamazaki
We are now under two weeks before returning to Japan. But there’s a really big thing happening right now, New York Comic Con, where I’m scheduled to be on Saturday. Director Yamazaki will be there to celebrate Godzilla’s 70th and will have an autograph session I’m trying to get. I’m looking forward to NYCC and the X-Plus North America booth and more. It will be a great day in NYC. Stay tuned for my report. Photo: Oricon News | 10.18
A Legend Passes
Sad news to report. Keizo Murase (村瀬 継蔵, b 10/5/1935 – d 10/14/2024), stuntman and sculptor, has passed away at 89. His hands sculpted Godzilla, Mothra, Varan, King Ghidorah, Gamera and many more of our favorites. Recently, he directed Brush of the God (2024). Condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family and colleagues. Rest in Power. 10.17
New & Coming
This is The Daily spot for news and new collectible announcements. My dream Godzilla 1974 appears. Check out the new Bamboo Art wa-gu-mi Godzilla (2023) available on Bandai Premium. X-Plus Japan rolls out a new Godzilla 1974. X-Plus North America announces a beautiful SpaceGodzilla Poster Color Version. Just a day ago Toho’s “Toho Monsters Kit 002 MechaGodzilla” was No. 1 on Amazon Japan’s Hobby Popularity Ranking Best 10 with the biggest sales increase in the past 24 hours. Both Godzilla and MechaGodzilla can be pre-ordered on Godzilla.com. Godzilla Minus One has won The 2024 Sangria Chainsaw Award for Best Score and Best Wide Release Movie. 10.16.29
New Godzilla x youtoo; Godzilla coming Nov 3
New Godzilla x youtoo; Hedorah coming Nov 3
New Godzilla x youtoo; Rodan coming Nov 3
The 2024 FANGORIA Chainsaw Award for Best Wide Release Movie goes to GODZILLA MINUS ONE.
The 2024 FANGORIA Chainsaw Award for Best Score goes to Naoki Satô for GODZILLA MINUS ONE
Godzilla News
Godzilla -1.0 Returns
When we thought it was safe to go into the water Godzilla 2023 returns with another theatrical appear on November 1 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the King of the Monsters. But this time with an additional 13 minutes of exclusive bonus content. Read More | 10.16
Surfing social media I’m always blown away when I see my work on display and shared by others. It gives me great satisfaction that others value the work. 10.16
“There were hardly any close-ups of Godzilla emerging from the flames in the first film, even back then, but I wanted to see what would happen if I were to express the overall image of the black mass of terror born from the atomic bomb… It’s not an anthropomorphized Godzilla, it’s an animal-like dinosaur.”
Koichi Kawakita, 1994
Box Daze
Godzilla & Mirai Tower
B2 Event Poster
Ichiban Kuji Godzilla 2023
Heat Ray Version
Godzilla -1.0 OST
Deluxe Edition
The Sumptuous Collection
of Godzilla
From 1994
My Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla
(1994) Ticket
My Tokyo Tower Ticket from December 1994
My Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla stamp from Toho theater (Ikebukuro)
Banpresto Neck Tie for my dad won from Tokyo arcade UFO catcher
Cool Pics
Wallpaper
November Calendar
Welcome to MyKaiju Daily, a daily diary and journal. While I’m in between writing articles and doing new toy photography, there’s daily Godzilla news I would like to comment on. This is a space for my quick blurbs, shares, comments and more on the old and new stuff about Godzilla. Growing up we had the Week Reader in school. This is my version as an adult Godzilla fan. Made by my Mac and best for desktop browsing. Thanks for visiting!