HOW I SPENT MY SPRING VACATION! Friends and Fun in Tokyo

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"!

CHERRY BLOSSOMS, TOHO-STYLE: Photographing the Sakura at Japan's Greatest Film Studio

In late March, the cherry blossoms began blooming in Tokyo, and given how much I've always wanted to see and photograph the blossoms at Toho Studios, I made it a point to snap a few shots during my latest trip. The results are self-explanatory. Enjoy!

THIS RONDO'S FOR YOU! J.D. Lees Inducted into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame!

G-FAN editor and G-FEST organizer J.D. Lees (right) hangs with Richard Pusateri (left) and yours truly (center) at G-FEST XIX, July 2012.

The annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards have just been announced, and the first inductee into this year's Monster Kid Hall of Fame is none other than J.D. Lees!

As any good G-fan knows, J.D. edits and publishes G-FAN magazine, which recently celebrated its 100th issue. This year will mark G-FEST XX, with guests Shinichi Wakasa and Tsutomu Kitagawa from Japan. J.D.'s hard work has finally been honored by the Rondo Awards.

G-fans have spoken, and their Rondo choice was J.D. Lees! Thanks to all who supported him!

AKIRA TAKARADA HEADS TO CHILLER! Toho's Biggest Star Returns to the U.S. This April!

Akira Takarada signs a DVD slipcover during rehearsals for Me and My Girl in Tokyo. Lucky fans in the Northeast will also get the opportunity to get their items signed by the man himself!

Fans on the East Coast get a rare treat this spring as none other than the star of the original Godzilla (not to mention Godzilla vs. the Thing, Monster Zero, King Kong Escapes, etc.) will appear at the Chiller Theatre convention from April 26-28 in Parsippany, NJ.

Takarada-san may look stern in the photo above, but remember, folks, he's a great actor!

This marks Akira Takarada's first convention appearance on the East Coast, as well as his first public appearance in the U.S. outside the context of G-FEST. If you're a fan of tokusatsu, Chiller Theatre is the place to be this spring!

TOKYO: The Weekend in Pictures

With Toho star Yosuke Natsuki in his office. I had the distinct honor of sitting in Natsuki-san's office for hours, listening to his memories of Toho Studios! Photo by Asako Kato.

February 8 through 11 was an exciting weekend for me. I met many friends and did many things. So here's a quick blog update with the highlights! 

Hanging with Kazuki Kato at English Avenue Daikanyama. When he's not too busy performing on the stage as a singer or on the screen as an actor, I enjoy getting to see the star of Monster X Strikes Back and Kamen Rider: The Next whenever possible. Photo by Asako Kato.

The Big Boss himself! On Saturday, February 9, I traveled to Mitaka, Tokyo, to watch Akira Takarada rehearse his new stage play, Me and My Girl, which will run exclusively in Toyama Prefecture.

Here he comes from the sky! After hanging out with Takarada-san, I had dinner with Bin Furuya, Ultraman himself! It was a great dinner, and I met many new friends. Thanks to Furuya-san for introducing them to me!

On Sunday, February 10, I was invited to attend a Kamen Rider Super-1 reunion in Nakano, Tokyo. Shunsuke Takasugi, who starred as Kamen Rider Super-1, appeared onstage to answer questions and sign autographs with some of his former co-stars!

Following the Kamen Rider event, I interviewed legendary Japanese actor Mickey Curtis, who was happy to share his memories of Toshiro Mifune, Kihachi Okamoto, and many others!

On Monday, February 11, I met with director Yoshimitsu Banno and screenwriters Wataru Mimura and Hitomi Shimizu as we talked about a myriad of subjects. Thanks to my friend Yasushi for snapping this photo!

RIP, Derrick Michael Holmes

Derrick Holmes, enjoying life in Shinjuku, Tokyo, November 2012. 

I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Derrick Michael Holmes on November 25, 2012. At this point, I don't have any other details, but his passing strikes me especially hard. Derrick was easily one of the nicest people I've ever met, either in Japan or the U.S.

Derrick and I at a Starbucks in Shinjuku Station, November 2012.

Although Derrick worked mostly as an animal caretaker, he also had many acting credits to his name, including Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) as Biomajor spy Michael Low and Lady Battle Cop (1990).

Derrick meets Godzilla vs. Destroyah actor Jon Gallock at Shinjuku Station, November 2012.

Below is video I took of Derrick as he showed me around Roppongi in August 2011. Also below is a commercial for Parliament's Up for the Down Stroke in which Derrick appears as a teen riding a bicycle.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

MAKOTO SATO: 1934-2012

Makoto Sato takes no prisoners in Toho's 1959 wartime actioner Dokuritsu Gurentai, directed by Kihachi Okamoto.

The Japanese press is reporting that famed Toho Studios character actor Makoto Sato died on December 6, 2012, of pneumonia, following a fall near his home. He was 78.

Born on March 18, 1934, in Saga Prefecture, Sato began his professional acting career in 1956 at Toho Studios. Prior to his being hired at the studio, Sato trained to become an actor at Haiyu-za alongside Ken "Starman" Utsui and Tatsuya (Ran, Kagemusha) Nakadai.

He quickly became well known for his appearances in youth films, usually playing tough guys or baddies. For genre fans, his best-known credits include: The H-Man (1958), Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress (1958), Chushingura (1962), The Lost World of Sinbad (1963), The Killing Bottle (1967), Message from Space (1978), and The Imperial Navy (1981), among countless others. Sato was a favorite of revolutionary director Kihachi Okamoto, who often cast Sato in his action pictures.

RIP to a talented actor.