Returning to Ultraman Street in Tokyo!

Alien Baltan welcomes you to Ultraman Street. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Another location we visited today was Ultraman Street, right outside Soshigaya-Okura Station in Setagaya, Tokyo. One of the major themes was the 55th anniversary of Ultra Seven (1967-68), which you can see below. I visited Ultraman Street last spring, but fall was a great time to pay another visit. Here's what we saw. Enjoy!

Ultraman Great Flies into Tokyo!

Dore Kraus poses with Ultraman at a Mandarake shop at the Nakano Broadway shopping mall. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Actor Dore Kraus, who played Ultraman Great's alter ego, Jack Shindo, in Ultraman: Towards the Future (1992), came to Tokyo in April of this year, and I had the distinct privilege of spending time with him during his vacation on two separate days. Dore contacted me a few days before arriving, and, when I knew he would be coming to my neck of the woods, I made sure to set aside plenty of time.

We first got together on Saturday, April 22, in Nakano after I finished work. Then we met up again on Sunday, April 30, in Ebisu (before moving on to Ultraman Street and Toho Studios) and spent most of the day together. There's a lot to see, so let's get right to the photos!

Dore Kraus poses under a sign listing Ultraman Great at Nakano Broadway. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus finds an Ultraman Great figure at a toy shop in Nakano Broadway. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After dinner at Gusto in Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus poses with Ultraman at Soshigaya-Okura Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Ultraman watches over Soshigaya-Okura Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus poses with Ultraman. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Say, that guy flying over us looks a bit familiar... Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus (can you spot him?) at Toho Studios. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

It's Godzilla vs. Jack Shindo! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Jack Shindo would have made a great addition to the Seven Samurai. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Capping off a fun day at the Hotel Excellent Ebisu.

ULTRAMAN STREET AT NIGHT! Moody Scenes from Soshigaya-Okura Station!

Ultraman keeps a light on for you at Soshigaya-Okura Station. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Despite just having visited Ultraman Street (a.k.a. Ultraman Shopping District and many other English-language names), I found myself returning there last night. Given the nighttime setting, I decided to take some extra photos and share them here. Enjoy!