Beware the Ulf-man!

Former Seatopian operative Ulf Georgii-Hemming (whom you may know under his alias Wolf Otsuki) strikes a pensive pose inside the Danish restaurant Scandia in Yokohama, Japan.

If you're a loyal reader of this blog (and, hey, who isn't?), you may remember this blog post from May of this year. I paid tribute to one of the coolest dues in Japan, Ulf Georgii-Hemming.

Ulf and Brett, about to chow down in Yokohama.

I had the opportunity to meet up with Ulf again during my last trip to Tokyo. Unlike our first meeting, this was a one-on-one affair, and I was surprised to learn that Ulf wanted to take me to Yokohama!

Look at all that ice cream! I'm getting a brain freeze just looking at it!

He took me to Scandia, one of his favorite restaurants in the Tokyo-Yokohama area. It serves Danish food, which, thanks to my good friend Ib Melchior, I'm already a little accustomed to. Although I'll always be a burgers-and-pizza kinda guy, I did enjoy the food served to us.

It also marked my first time in Yokohama. From one of the buildings upper floors, I managed to take a couple of photos of Cosmo Clock 21, the well-known (to kaiju enthusiasts, anyway) location seen during Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992). More impressive, however, was the sight of Tokyo Bay. Even though I've seen it featured in many Japanese films (most notably Toho's 1975 actioner Conflagration, with Hiroshi Fujioka and Tetsuro Tanba), you simply must see it in person to appreciate its sheer size.

That's all, folks!

A big thank-you to Ulf for driving me around Tokyo and Yokohama. Let's do it again!

Tokyo: The Movie!

Ulf Georgii-Hemming (a.k.a. Wolf Otsuki) drives me to Yokohama, shortly before a massive typhoon hits the area. Mr. Georgii-Hemming played the bearded Seatopian agent in Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) and has appeared in numerous tokusatsu TV series during the 1970s.

While I managed to snap a bunch of photos during my recent visit to Tokyo, I shot some footage, too.

The video clip below was taken completely by accident. I must have hit the record button on my camera as I tried to take a photo of me with Ulf. Still, it's a pretty fun video, and it captures some of the fun we had that day.

Enjoy!

Tokyo: Scene to Seen

New vs. old Tokyo: The brand-new Tokyo Sky Tree and Sensoji's pagoda in Asakusa face off in the showdown of the millennium!

From September 18 to 20, I paid my third visit to Tokyo. Unlike my previous two trips, I had much more time to take in the scenery and visit places I simply never had the time to see. Below are some of the highlights.

Cosmo Clock 21 in Yokohama, the Ferris wheel seen in Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992).

Asahi Beer Hall and the Asahi Flame in Asakusa, Tokyo.

Nakamise Avenue in Asakusa. The shops along Nakamise Ave. contain more than a few kaiju-related items.

But if it's kaiju merchandise you seek, look no further than the Nakano Broadway Mall! You can go broke here before you know it!

The entrance to Sensoji in Asakusa. Photo by Akira Takarada.

The National Film Center's exhibit on actress Kyoko Kagawa in Kyobashi. Ms. Kagawa has starred in movies for Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu, but to us monster geeks she's best known for her leading role in Mothra (1961). This exhibit runs from September 13 to December 25, 2011. A film retrospective runs from November 8 to December 25.

Surf's up! At the beach in Kamakura, Kanagawa.

Seeing Daibutsu (a.k.a. The Great Buddha) up close and personal in Kamakura.

With one of the many posters outside this restaurant in Shimo-Kitazawa. It has an old-school movie/TV series theme. Check it out!

Memories of Toho Studios

If you need me to explain this picture, why are you reading this blog? The sign says it all!

The August 4 tour of Toho Studios, which was organized and arranged by Akira Takarada, will go down as one of the greatest events in kaiju fandom history. If you weren't there -- well, there's no other way to put this -- you truly missed out. Plain and simple.

Walking alongside the likes of Mr. Takarada, Haruo Nakajima, and Yosuke Natsuki in the studio that made them famous ... words can't describe what an honor it truly was. It was the first (and almost certainly) the last time such an event will take place.

Lots of other G-fans have had their pictures taken at the Godzilla statue located at Toho's front gate, but how many of them have actually passed through the gate?

While the tour of Toho Studios is something I'll never forget, I prefer to let the pictures do the talking. I took so many photos and shot so much video that I hardly need to explain any of it. But I'll fill in the blanks where necessary. On to the good stuff!

Can you spot me in this photo? I'm in the Seven Samurai mural somewhere!

Shortly after the group arrived, Mr. Takarada came out with the special guests he arranged for us to meet. And what a lineup it was!

Yoshimitsu Banno, Bin Furuya, Akira Takarada, Yosuke Natsuki, and Haruo Nakajima greet their fans. Koichi Kawakita joined the festivities a bit later.

Once the celebrity guests made their appearance, obligatory photos were taken by the tour members. Mr. Takarada, through his able translator totorom, told us what to expect on the tour. With the introduction finished, it was time to go inside!

The group enters Toho Studios.

Our first stop was to Toho's Post-Production Center 1 for a special screening of a 20- or 30-minute edit of Godzilla: Final Wars. The film boasts a great supporting part played by Mr. Takarada, which made the showing of the film all the more special.

Sitting next to Yosuke Natsuki for the screening of Godzilla: Final Wars.

Although Mr. Takarada joked that the film was just a little too loud, the screening was well-received by the attendees. From there, Mr. Takarada led us to Stages 8 and 9.

Ground zero for kaiju history: Toho's drama scenes were filmed in Stage 8, and its SFX scenes were filmed in Stage 9.

Entering Stage 8 was especially exciting, and it was made even more so by the fact that we were accompanied by two of Toho's best leading men, Mr. Takarada and Yosuke Natsuki!

Where it all happened: Standing inside Stage 8.

The original Ultraman (Bin Furuya) and I bring a bit of Tsuburaya Pro magic to Toho Studios.

Elsewhere on this blog you can find the video I took inside Stage 8. The link is here. I encourage you to view it. As I've said countless times, a picture's worth a thousand words!

Inside Toho's Actors Center: The stars assemble for a Q&A.

The next stop on our tour was Toho's Actors Center, in which Mr. Takarada, Haruo Nakajima, Bin Furuya, Yosuke Natsuki, Yoshimitsu Banno, and Koichi Kawakita answered questions posed by their fans. The event has been recorded for posterity by several fans in attendance, including yours truly. You can watch the Q&A here.

The holy grail: Akira Takarada unveils the original Oxygen Destroyer to an audience in total awe.

Following the Q&A, Mr. Takarada surprised the entire tour by bringing out the Oxygen Destroyer (as seen in Godzilla '54). Although I had a feeling we'd be seeing the most famous prop in the series' history, I had no idea what was in store until the moment it was unveiled. Thankfully, the moment was recorded on video and can be viewed in Part 7 of the Toho Q&A!

Holding the Oxygen Destroyer next to Koichi Kawakita, with Serizawa's diving helmet from Godzilla (1954) on the table nearby.

With the surprise addition of the Oxygen Destroyer to the proceedings, the tour of Toho wrapped up. I must thank Mr. Takarada for making it all happen. Big shout-outs go to J.D. Lees and Yoshi Mukai of MYK for making G-TOUR II a big success. As always, totorom worked diligently in his capacity as translator.

I hope this blog post was able to convey a fraction of the excitement we all felt. It was an afternoon I'll never forget. I'll always be grateful I got to see Kaiju Heaven!

Stopping by Monsters, Inc.

In good company: Monster maker Shinichi Wakasa drives me to his studio, Monsters, Inc. 

One of my many stops during my recent Tokyo trip was Shinichi Wakasa's creature shop, Monsters, Inc. Mr. Wakasa has created the majority of the Godzilla series' best monster suits of recent years, and it was a true thrill to see his monstrous creations up close and personal.

An incredible sight: Greeting me as soon as I entered Monsters, Inc., was Destroyah (from Godzilla vs. Destroyah).

 

You can't ask a monster suit for an autograph, so you have to settle for the next best thing...

Say cheese! Brett and Destroyah pal around for the paparazzi. (Photo by Shinichi Wakasa.) 

The rafters in Mr. Wakasa's shop were full of suits, props, and various creations over the years. Just looking at the amount of kaiju history contained thereon would make even the most jaded monster movie fan's jaw drop. Pretty much the entire Millennium series of Godzilla films is on display here!

Just a sampling of what one can see inside Monsters, Inc.

Even more good stuff! Monsters, Inc., has it all! 

The material contained up in the rafters could take an entire blog post, but I think the above photos give you an idea of what's there. It's truly remarkable to see so many suits and props in one place!

Looking over just one of the innumerable photo albums in Mr. Wakasa's collection. This one covers his work on Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman 80. 

After snapping some photos of his workshop, Mr. Wakasa took me to an adjoining room and allowed me to thumb through his photo albums. The pictures were, in a word, astounding. I encouraged Mr. Wakasa to publish these photos in a book. I know that, at least among us kaiju fans, it'd be a best-seller!

Hangin' with Shinichi Wakasa. 

Perhaps my favorite album was the one dedicated toe Message from Space, Toei's 1978 space opera. It's long been one of my favorite films, and I marveled at all the behind-the-scenes shots I'd never seen before.

Next we entered Mr. Wakasa's office, and wouldn't you know who was waiting for us...

Me and my old friend: A requisite shot all fans get who enter Mr. Wakasa's office!

Face-to-snout: Could yours truly be Godzilla's next opponent? 

The Big G's next foe certainly won't be Mr. Wakasa. He and G go way back!

A happy moment: Thanking Mr. Wakasa for an unforgettable afternoon! 

It should go without saying that I loved visiting Mr. Wakasa's creature shop. Not only did I get to view so much intriguing movie memorabilia, I got to meet Mr. Wakasa for the first time. I couldn't think of a better first meeting!

Thanks again to Mr. Wakasa for showing me around. I hope to do it again sometime!

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.