Shinji Higuchi and Yutaka Hayashi

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.

Toho Studios: In living color!

Bin Furuya, Haruo Nakajima, Yosuke Natsuki, Akira Takarada, Yoshimitsu Banno, and Koichi Kawakita answer questions posed by the fans at Toho Studios during G-TOUR II. 

During our visit to Toho Studios, I brought my video camera and made sure to record as much of the action as possible. Below are the remaining bits of footage I took at the studio. The last video with Mr. Nakajima and me was recorded at the hotel in Shinagawa, but everything else was filmed at Toho.

Ultraman Street in Setagaya, Tokyo

Shoowatch! Ultraman takes flight on Ultraman Street.

Down the road from Toho Studios in Setagaya, Tokyo, is what promises to be a major tourist destination for kaiju eiga fans. Ultraman Street truly lives up to its name with decor straight from M78!

G-TOUR II members photograph the entrance to Ultraman Street. 

Like most kaiju-related sights worth seeing in Japan, Ultraman Street isn't well-known in the West. But, unlike this building or that bridge featured in the background of a monster movie, Ultraman Street is a must-see attraction for G-fans visiting Tokyo.

Are street lights this cool in your neighborhood?

Ultraman Street is a walk down memory lane for kaiju enthusiasts!

Look out! Baltan Seijin wreaks havoc in Ultraman Street!

It's not just the CBC Building in Nagoya; Ultraman Street has its own Ultraman statue!

Worth the trip itself: How come kaiju fans who tour Japan don't know about Ultraman Street?

A picture is worth a thousand words, but there's video, too! Here's a look at Ultraman Street, featuring G-FAN regulars J.D. Lees and Skip Peel. Enjoy!

Rushing into G-TOUR II?

"Now look what you've done!!" Pam Arlt, Martin Arlt, Ruth Lees, J.D. Lees, and Brett relax in the G-TOUR hotel lobby in Nagoya, Japan.

G-TOUR II is now in the history books, although some tourists will stay in Japan for several more days. After meeting up with the group in Nagoya last night, I learned that the tour as a whole was a smashing success by all accounts. In fact, all the veterans of the first G-TOUR rated this one higher than the original.

Contrary to what others have said, G-TOUR II was anything but "rushed."

There's no word on a G-TOUR III at this point, but with the success of the tour's sequel, it would seem like a sure bet. Keep your eyes on G-FAN magazine for any official announcement.

Tokyo: Familiar names and faces

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!

Tokyo Tower

Your humble blogmeister, visiting Tokyo Tower for the first time.

The first stop on G-TOUR's itinerary was the iconic Tokyo Tower, seen in such kaiju eiga classics as Mothra (1961) and King Kong Escapes (1967). The tower is a breathtaking sight, but as impressive as it is, the new broadcasting tower Tokyo Sky Tree, which is currently being constructed, will ultimately replace Tokyo Tower, as Tokyo Tower is not tall enough (!) keep up with Tokyo's broadcasting needs.

Now, on to the photos!

The view from on high: Inside Tokyo Tower.

A happy moment: Enjoying the sights to be seen.

G-TOURists Skip Peel and Michael Field, taking in the excitement of Tokyo Tower.

Don't fall! King Kong ain't there to catch ya!

The kiss of death? Re-enacting a scene from The Godfather, Part II? Not sure, but from what I was told at G-TOUR, taking this picture entitles me to a free travel guide...

Though I've been to Tokyo once before, I never visited Tokyo Tower. I certainly enjoyed experiencing all that the tower has to offer. It was a great experience, and I would recommend it to any Tokyo traveler.

Q&A session at Toho Studios

The gang's all here! G-TOUR attendees and special guests are set to storm the gates at Toho Studios!

G-TOUR II saw a guided tour of Toho Studios, led by the series' biggest star, Akira Takarada. Mr. Takarada brought a few friends with him for the tour, namely: Yosuke Natsuki, Haruo Nakajima, Koichi Kawakita, Bin Furuya, and Yoshimitsu Banno! All these Toho legends participated in a Q&A ssession held inside the studio itself.

For those of you not fortunate enough to attend (for shame!), the once-in-a-lifetime event was recorded, and you can watch it in the links below.

Please note that Mr. Takarada unveils the Oxygen Destroyer in Part 7!