THE TOKYO DOME! Home of Japanese Pro Wrestling History!

The Tokyo Dome. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night, I had a few hours to kill from the time I finished work until the subtitled version of Godzilla Minus One (2023) screened in Hibiya, so I thought I could popeye down to Tsuburaya Convention 2023 to take a look-see at what it had to offer. What I found was a massive line still waiting to get in (that showed very few signs of moving) and no obvious area from which to buy tickets, so I quickly abandoned that idea.

Thankfully, though, the con was being held in the shadow of the Tokyo Dome, so I decided to take a few photos of it instead. I'm not a baseball fan, but I'm familiar with it due to its history with pro wrestling -- World Championship Wrestling, in particular. For example, while I've never seen the full match, this is the venue where Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Ric Flair in March 1991 to become the new WCW champion ... or did he? 

It was my first exposure to a Dusty finish, so the decision was quickly reversed. But the angle instantly hooked me, and it made Fujinami an immediate threat to Flair's championship reign. I really wanted to see their return encounter at the inaugural SuperBrawl in May, but it was on Pay-Per-View, so that wasn't happening. WCW television showed the highlights of the Tokyo Dome match at the time, and it was even covered in the Apter mags, so it was one of the bigger developments in wrestling that year. It was pretty fun for me to see where it all happened. 

In 1992, I did see the Pay-Per-View entitled WCW Japan Supershow II, which was co-promoted with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but I remember very little about it. (I mean, it's been more than 30 years.) It also took place at the Tokyo Dome, though WCW announcers and commentators would always refer to it as the Egg Dome, which made it sound pretty silly to my ear. The Tokyo Dome is a much more respectable name, of course. Who wants to say that he just won a championship at something called the Egg Dome?

This, naturally, just scratches the surface of pro wrestling history at the Tokyo Dome, but I just wanted to share some of my personal memories of it.  

The Great Godzilla Special Effects Kingdom!

Through June 27, Gallery Aamo at Tokyo Dome City will host a special exhibit called "The Great Godzilla Special Effects Kingdom." There are plenty of props, scripts, and suits on display. But, as they say, a picture's worth a thousand words, so let's check out the highlights.

ULTRA-HEROES EXPO 2018! Ultraman Takes Tokyo Dome City!

Thanks to a very kind invitation to a couple of friends of mine, I attended the Ultra-Heroes Expo 2018 today in Tokyo Dome City. It was quite reminiscent of Ultraman Festival in Ikebukuro, though this exclusively focused on Ultraman Geed (2017), which I've never seen. I even attended the live stage show with various Ultra Brothers and assorted kaiju duking it out for the amusement of the audience. (This was actually my first time seeing such a show in Japan.) It was quite fun, but it was absolutely packed with people, which of course is never fun. Anyway, enough said. On with the photos!

KING KONG VS. GODZILLA FILMING LOCATIONS! A New Look at Some Classic Scenes!

Akabanedai Danchi, the site of the exterior shots of the apartment in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Recently, diligent Japanese Godzilla fans have identified Akabanedai Danchi as the filming location for the exterior shots of Fumiko's apartment used in Toho's King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Akabanedai Danchi is an apartment complex near Akabane Station. Although it's difficult to identify which particular area was used in the film with certainty, any of the complex's buildings from #2-8 would be good candidates.

I found the apartment complex very easily, and even though I was expecting a 10-minute to the area, it seemed closer to five minutes.

The Big O Ferris wheel at Tokyo Dome City, the successor to Korakuen Amusement Park, which is featured in the movie. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The location now known as Tokyo Dome City (in Bunkyo, Tokyo) is site to several notable locations from King Kong vs. Godzilla. When Kong snatches Fumiko from the train, several rides and attractions (including a Ferris wheel) can be seen in the background. At the time, this place was called Korakuen Amusement Park, though it is now Tokyo Dome City.

The famed Kodokan Judo Institute, which Kong clobbered back in 1962. Photo by Brett Homenick.

During Kong's rampage on Tokyo, the beast suddenly stops and punches a gaping hole through a building. That building is the Kodokan Judo Institute (the building on the right in the above photo). Of course, given that it's a celebrated judo school, many Japanese fans have speculated that the attack on the Kodokan was a deliberate in-joke by the filmmakers, signaling the beginning of the series' descent into "monster wrestling."

Elevated train tracks for the Marunouchi Line, the spot from which Kong picked up the train to grab Fumiko. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Right next to the Kodokan are the elevated train tracks that Kong wrecked in the film. Given the close proximity these locations have to one another, it's a convenient way to check out several Godzilla locations in one shot.

I plan to do more location searches in the future, so stay tuned for more cool filming spots!

VARIOUS SCENES FROM TOKYO! Out and About in Japan's Greatest City!

Akira Ifukube's former residence, the place in which the maestro wrote numerous film scores. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today proved to be a busy day, as I visited many places around the city. The first stop was the home of famed Godzilla series composer Akira Ifukube. After snapping a few photos, I moved on to my next destination.

My next stop was Akabane Station, and there I saw a few interesting things. Halloween's barely over, yet Colonel Sanders is already decked out in his best Santa gear! Couldn't he at least wait until after Thanksgiving?

At Akabane Station, several plastic masks were on sale of several familiar tokusatsu and anime characters. No, I didn't buy any, but given the low price, I have to admit it was a little tempting!

Next on the agenda was Tokyo Dome City. I enjoyed walking around and taking in the sights. The autumn air was just a little chilly, but given that autumn is my favorite season in Japan, I enjoyed it. It sure beats the searing heat of the summer!

I visited Tokyo Dome City to photograph filming locations for the Godzilla series. But more on that in the next blog post!

After that, it was off to Shibuya for some fine dining and some shopping. My feet were killing me at the end, so I was glad to come home when I did.

Shibuya was much quiter compared to last night. I'd imagine most of the revelers are still asleep. I was pleased to see that most of the garbage from the previous night had already been cleaned up. Great job!

A NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS! Joining Toru Ibuki for a Night of Boxing!

Yours truly, seated next to former Toho actor Toru Ibuki, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

A few days ago, I was invited to join Toru Ibuki (Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster) for a night of boxing at Tokyo's legendary Korakuen Hall. Korakuen Hall is located next to the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo Dome City, and it is an excellent venue in which to host a boxing card.

Two heavyweight boxers give it their all in the ring. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It was my first live sporting event in Tokyo, and I couldn't have had a better time. Our seats were ringside, which only enhanced the excitement. While I'm much more of a pro wrestling fan (at least of pre-2001 pro wrestling), I had no trouble getting into the action. All the fighters brought their A-game and deserve the highest accolades for their efforts in the squared circle.

It's always great to see Ibuki-san, but it was that much cooler to take in an evening of boxing seated next to him. He is always a gracious host. Thank you very much, Ibuki-san!