DESTROY ALL MONSTERS LOCATIONS! Exploring Where Certain Scenes Were Shot in Tokyo!

The Nippon Budokan, which was seen among the ruins of Tokyo in Destroy All Monsters (1968). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, the Nippon Budokan is a venue that has hosted many popular musical acts from around the world, but fans of Japanese monster movies will most likely recognize it as that unusually-shaped building seen in the Tokyo skyline after the Kilaak-controlled monsters ravage the city in Destroy All Monsters (1968).

The Nippon Budokan still attracts throngs of music lovers. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Those who have visited Super Festival have likely passed the Nippon Budokan on the way to the event, without even realizing that the building was seen in one of the most popular kaiju movies of all time. The Nippon Budokan is about a five-minute walk from Kudanshita Station.

Shimizu-mon Gate, part of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, also played a role in Destroy All Monsters. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

The scene in which the masses in Tokyo flee the rampaging kaiju, and actress Yukiko Kobayashi steps into the shot and flashes a sinister grin, was filmed near the Imperial Palace. Specifically, it was filmed at Shimizu-mon Gate.

Shimizu-mon Gate was the site of panicking Tokyoites in the film Submersion of Japan (1973). With this location, you get two for the price of one!

The Nippon Budokan, as seen (more or less) from Shimizu-mon Gate. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I'm working on photographing more locations from Destroy All Monsters and other films. As always, keep it here for further updates.