Yutaka Hayashi in February 2024. Photo by Brett Homenick.
My interview with Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) star Yutaka Hayashi, who played race car driver Hiroshi Jinkawa, is now available. The article features many rare photos provided by Mr. Hayashi from his personal collection.
This February 2024 Q&A was my first interview conducted in person with Hayashi-san. In 2008, Hayashi-san and I did an interview via correspondence, which you can read here. One reason I wanted to do the second interview was to cover more aspects of Hayashi-san's acting career.
If I may say so myself, it's a great interview. I'm also pleased that I've conducted in-person interviews with each of the three leads of Megalon -- a rare feat! Each interview, of course, is available on Vantage Point Interviews where content is king!
Wednesday, February 14, proved to be a Valentine's Day for the history books. I was privileged to spend an evening in the company of former actor Yutaka Hayashi, best known as one of the stars of Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). I last got to visit Hayashi-san in 2019 when he performed in a concert, so, to say the very least, this visit was long overdue.
When I arrived at the venue, I spoke with Hayashi-san's friend and business colleague Akio-san before I saw Hayashi-san. Sometime after Akio-san stepped away, I noticed that someone entered the area directly behind my seat and was speaking to others. I had a feeling about who that person might be, and, when I turned around, I was greeted by Hayashi-san, who immediately extended his hand to me.
Hayashi-san showed me several photos of his younger days on his smartphone, most of which were from his acting and music careers. He was also curious to know about the origin of my interest in his acting work, so I told him that Megalon was my first Godzilla movie that I saw when I was around five years old. He also talked about his golfing in Palm Springs before, which was quite a surprise to hear about! When he had to go, Hayashi-san extended his hand again before we parted ways.
Sitting next to one of the stars of the first movie I ever really liked in my life will never not be exciting for me. I have to thank Hayashi-san for taking time out of his busy schedule to see me. It was certainly a memorable evening!
Last night, on Sunday, March 31, I went all the way out to Kisarazu, Chiba, to see a dinner show performed by Yutaka Hayashi and his band. The show took place at the Washington Hotel near the station, and it was a packed house. Other than Narita Airport, this was the farthest into Chiba I've ever been. It was certainly a new experience for me.
I hadn't seen Hayashi-san in almost exactly six years. I was quite eager to see him again after such a long time, so I was pleased when I was able to arrange ahead of time to visit him in the green room before the show.
The show itself was a lot of fun, featuring a mixture of '60s-era American and Japanese pop songs. Hayashi-san was great on the drums, and the lead singer could belt out those American oldies extremely well. Overall, it was a great night, but I spent a long time on the train!
A chance meeting with actress Anna Nakagawa (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah) was just the first of several surprises during my most recent sojourn to Tokyo.
I must say that I had an enjoyable spring break. It's certainly one of the benefits of being a teacher. During my most recent visit to Japan's capital, I was able to stay for the longest time I've ever spent in Tokyo. So, of course, I was able to accomplish quite a lot. Here are some highlights:
I met screenwriter Wataru Mimura for dinner and coffee. Coincidentally, we ran into each other the day before at Shinjuku Station! It was the same day I met Ms. Nakagawa by chance on the train, which has to be a record for me!
On April 1, I met and interviewed actor Katsuhiko Sasaki. The interview was translated by my friend Yasushi. We both enjoyed Sasaki-san's company, and he shared many fascinating stories.
Yasushi also directed me to a cafe owned by the husband of Ultraman Ace actress Keiko Nishi. Ms. Nishi works at the cafe and is happy to chat with Ultraman fans who come wandering in. Even though the language barrier prevented deeper conversation, I was glad to meet her.
It's become something of a tradition to meet Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster director and Godzilla (2014) executive producer Yoshimitsu Banno for coffee and dinner. I always enjoy Banno-san's company, as we talk about a wide range of topics.
Another highlight was getting to meet and interview Goro Mutsumi from the Showa Mechagodzilla movies. We held the interview at English Avenue Daikanyama, and it was translated by Asako Kato. As always, she did a tremendous job. Mutsumi-san is a gentleman of the first order, much different from the villainous roles he's played on the screen!
Hangin' with America's newest movie star, Akira Takarada. Takarada-san showed me some photos from his recent trip to Vancouver (to film a certain movie). It was also my first time seeing his office. I was quite happy to meet Takarada-san's secretary in person, Kogure-san. We've spoken on the phone for years but never met! We ended up having Chinese food for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Tokyo as seen from the observation deck of Mori Tower in Roppongi.
Godzilla vs. Megalon star and former Village Singers member Yutaka Hayashi and our mutual friend Akio got together at Hayashi-san's night club Abbey Road for a birthday party. Whose birthday, you might ask? Mine! It was quite a surprise. I had no idea it was coming, but I was quite grateful for the experience (to say the least).
Interviewing Gamera series screenwriter Niisan Takahashi near his home in Chigasaki, Kanagawa. Yasushi once again provided the translation for this wide-ranging interview. Many anecdotes were revealed, and it was truly an eye-opening conversation. Takahashi-san was great to spend time with. I'm still flattered that Gamera's creator called me "ikemen"!
Teruyoshi Nakano and yours truly. Nakano-san directed the SFX for Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), the first Godzilla movie I ever saw.
I first saw Godzilla vs. Megalon around 1986. My brother and I were looking around a video store for a movie he wanted, and during our search I happened upon the Goodtimes Home Video release of Megalon on a double feature with The Snow Creature (1954). I knew the name Godzilla, but never had seen any of the films. I was curious. So I asked if we could purchase the film, which our mom graciously did.
While most fans know Kenpachiro Satsuma as the Godzillasuit actor from 1984 through 1995, it's his portrayal of Gigan in Godzilla vs. Megalon that is of most interest to me.
The movie, of course, launched a lifelong interest in Japanese SFX films, something none of us could have foreseen back in the mid-'80s. Heck, it's the reason I'm living in Japan! Who knew a VHS tape could be so influential?
With my good friend Ulf Otsuki. His most notable role to tokusatsu fans in the West is that of the bearded Seatopian agent in Godzilla vs. Megalon.
Over the three-day weekend (October 5-8), I stayed in Tokyo with a lot on my itinerary. It just so happened that Godzilla vs. Megalon would feature so prominently in my plans. No fewer than four key players from that film were a part of my plans. It was a total coincidence, but a most welcome one!
With Yutaka Hayashi (a.k.a. Hiroshi Jinkawa) in Roppongi, Tokyo. He was one of my first heroes!
I should make special mention of Yutaka Hayashi. He and our mutual friend Akio sat down and had a lengthy chat on Sunday night, October 7. We talked about his acting career and a host of other topics. It was hard to believe I was having such a casual chat with the hero of the film I endlessly watched as a child. As I told Hayashi-san, Megalon not only made me a Godzilla fan, it made me a fan of the movies. It's the first movie I remember seeing that I actually liked!
I understand there's a lot of controversy concerning the film back in the U.S. I'll let others worry about that. Me, I'm just going to sit back and cherish the wonderful memories I got from this past weekend.
Peace! sez yours truly and SFX master Shinji Higuchi, whose SFX wizardry made the Heisei Gamera films so popular among Western G-fans.
While visiting Toho Studios remains the highlight of my recent Tokyo trip, meeting two new friends, both of whose work I have admired for years, ranks right up there. With several G-TOUR members, I ate dinner with Shinji Higuchi at a T.G.I. Friday's in Shinagawa on August 5.
Mr. Higuchi and I give Ken Takakura thumbs up!
Sitting next to Mr. Higuchi for the meal gave me the opportunity to pick his brain and swap stories about many of my favorite movie directors and actors, many of whom turned out to be his favorites, too! For example, he told me a great story about working with Tetsuro Tanba on his version of Sinking of Japan (2006), which showed that, even though Mr. Tanba was near death, he was as full of life as he ever was. We also discussed the award-winning Ken Takakura film Station (1981), Kinji Fukasaku flicks, the recently departed Sakyo Komatsu, among many other topics.
Did I mention that Mr. Higuchi is familiar with my current stomping grounds, Nakatsugawa? That alone earns him a lot of props!
Below is a video shot by J.D. Lees that captures the lighthearted atmosphere of the dinner:
Yutaka Hayashi and I meet for the first time.
Another highlight that occurred on August 5 was my meeting Yutaka Hayashi, who played Hiroshi Jinkawa in Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). Readers of this blog may know that Megalon was the first Godzilla movie I ever saw, so its influence on my life cannot be overstated. Admittedly, I was totally in awe when I met Mr. Hayashi. It's not every day you get to meet a genuine childhood hero!
A real smile: You can see how excited I am to meet Mr. Hayashi!
As with Mr. Higuchi, Mr. Hayashi and I talked about the Japanese film industry. I even spoke with him about Station, which is when I learned that Ken Takakura's last film is likely to be released next year. We also discussed Hiroshi Fujioka, the original Kamen Rider, with whom Mr. Hayashi is a close friend.
Shortly after Mr. Hayashi left, I was told by our mutual friend Akio that Mr. Hayashi typically doesn't meet fans, but that he especially wanted to meet me. Suffice it to say, I was overwhelmed to hear that.
Here's some footage shot by Akio of me with Mr. Hayashi. I think my appreciation comes through on the video. Please see for yourself.
With Heisei Gamera SFX maestro Shinji Higuchi at T.G.I. Friday's in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
In the coming days, I plan to blog more about my various excursions around Tokyo. For right now, I'll cover some of the highlights of my trip, focusing here on many of the familiar faces I was happy to meet (some for the very first time).
Sandwiched between model maker extraordinaire Hiroshi Sagae and filmmaker Yoshikazu Ishii, at the same T.G.I. Friday's.
It was a true thrill to meet Yutaka Hayashi(Godzilla vs. Megalon)at a Beatles-themed nightclub in Roppongi! Mr. Hayashi is a genuine childhood hero.
With Godzilla series screenwriter Wataru Mimura (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2, Godzilla 2000, Godzilla: Final Wars) in Shibuya.
Meeting one of my very first G-FAN interviewees, Richard Berger (Grenchiko in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah). We visited Harajuku and Omotesando.
Here with Jon Gallock, who appeared as a terrified airline pilot in Godzilla vs. Destroyah, in Shinjuku.
With Bin Furuya (the original Ultraman suit actor and Ultra Seven cast member)at a shabu shabu dinner in Roppongi.
Here I am with another legendary Toho actor, Yosuke Natsuki, at Toho Studios! All three of his Toho kaiju eiga (Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster, Dogora the Space Monster, and Godzilla 1985) are favorites of mine.
Holding the Oxygen Destroyer with Godzilla himself, Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla suit actor from 1954-1972, at Toho Studios. Yosuke Natsuki looks on.
With expert monster suit maker Shinichi Wakasa at his workshop. As you can see, Destroyah was there, too!
Sitting between the original Ultraman and Godzilla at -- where else? -- Toho Studios.
Inside Toho's Stage 8 where all the great drama scenes were filmed. Standing with Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster director Yoshimitsu Banno and Haruo Nakajima.
Meeting Derrick Holmes (Godzilla vs. Biollante, Lady Battle Cop). We walked around Roppongi, and man, what a night it was!
Hanging with Kent Gilbert (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah) in Roppongi. Kent remains a very busy guy to this day.
With Akira Takarada, who at this point needs no introduction. He's the man who made the Toho tour happen. Couldn't ask for a better tour guide. Arigato gozaimasu, Takarada-sama!
