Look Where I Went Today!

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today (Thursday, January 11), I returned to a familiar location in the history of the Godzilla series. It'd been about a year since I last stopped by, so I thought I'd take another look. It's always very cool to see in person. Check it out! 

Guess Where I Went Today

Godzilla vs. Megalon's Ibuki house. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 If you said the Ibuki house from Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), you'd be correct! It'd been a couple of years since I last saw it, so, despite the freezing temperatures today, I decided to pay it another visit. 

Suffice it to say, it's one of the most iconic filming locations in the history of the Godzilla series. It always puts a smile on my face when I see it, and today was no exception.

GODZILLA VS. MEGALON REUNION! Two of the Film's Stars Join Fans in Yokohama!

Actors Katsuhiko Sasaki (left) and Hiroyuki Kawase (right) reunite to celebrate Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I attended a great event in Yokohama that saw a small Godzilla vs. Megalon reunion take place with two of the film's stars, namely Katsuhiko Sasaki (Goro Ibuki) and Hiroyuki Kawase (Rokuro Ibuki).

The event kicked off with a screening of an excellent 35mm print of Godzilla vs. Megalon. I've never seen the film look better, and I was able to notice small details I've never noticed before. Of interest, the "Action!" blooper that found its way into the American release was absent from this print.

If it's July, I must be hanging out with Katsuhiko Sasaki!

After the film screen, Sasaki-san and Kawase-san sat together and reminisced about the movie with the help of two interviewers. They discussed their memories of director Jun Fukuda, co-star Yutaka Hayashi, and some of the various locations used in the film.

 Meeting Hiroyuki Kawase again after director Yoshimitsu Banno introduced us a few weeks ago.

Following the Q&A session, the special guests signed autographs for the fans. I had a couple of items signed, but seeing the goods brought in by the other attendees made me feel completely unprepared! I saw some pretty incredible posters, production stills, and lots of other cool items in tow.

Sasaki-san and Kawase-san sign autographs for lucky fans. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Once folks had their swag signed, it was time to eat dinner with the guests. Everybody enjoyed gabbing with the guests, who were completely friendly and accessible, which is the way it should be.

Thanks to everybody who made this event one for the history books. On to the next one!

ON HOLY GROUND! The Ibuki House from Godzilla vs. Megalon Today!

The House That Goro Built still stands in Tokyo to this day. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One of the most interesting and memorable filming locations in the entire Godzilla series was the house used for inventor Goro Ibuki (played by Katsuhiko Sasaki) and his much younger brother (played by Hiroyuki Kawase). I've been asked about it in the past, but with no information available at the time, it seemed just about impossible to find it (if it even still existed).

Well, I'm pleased to say that it does exist to this day. As a matter of fact, it looks largely the same as it did in the movie (just without all the paintings). The biggest change I noticed is that the house now sits in the middle of a bunch of other houses in a residential area. In the film, the house appeared to be rather isolated, out in the middle of a field.

The stairs that Hiroshi Jinkawa (Yutaka Hayashi) ran down, as they appear today. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The house is still used as somebody's private residence, and as such I was politely asked not to divulge any info regarding its specific location. That's fair enough; I certainly wouldn't want to trouble the owners by directing a bunch of crazy fans their way.

Of all the locations I've visited in Japan, I would have to rank this one as my favorite. I honestly thought I'd never get to see it in person for myself. I've never been happier to be wrong!