Kaiju things to do in Japan

[KaijuCanuck]

Hey guys... I'm going to Japan! I'm going to have about a week there, and definitely be in Tokyo, and possibly Osaka as well. Apart from the various statues, and the Godzilla store and hotel, can anyone advise me what I should do? I have to keep in mind that I'm traveling with two friends who are not kaiju fans, so I probably won't be able to monopolize the trip and do everything, so I want to prioritize the best things.

[UltramanGoji]

If they're fine with going to toy stores and the like, a trip to Mandarake is a must.

Aside from that, just some general location spotting should be a fun time for both parties.

[Spuro]

Hey guys... I'm going to Japan! I'm going to have about a week there, and definitely be in Tokyo, and possibly Osaka as well. Apart from the various statues, and the Godzilla store and hotel, can anyone advise me what I should do? I have to keep in mind that I'm traveling with two friends who are not kaiju fans, so I probably won't be able to monopolize the trip and do everything, so I want to prioritize the best things.

If you have time, I recommend visiting Hiroshima. Apart from the blindingly obvious, it's a wonderful city that lacks the same levels of crowds and smog that populates Tokyo.

For kaiju-related adventures, your best bet is tracking down Toho Studios. It's in a quiet little area of Tokyo, almost but not quite suburban.

[KaijuCanuck]

For kaiju-related adventures, your best bet is tracking down Toho Studios. It's in a quiet little area of Tokyo, almost but not quite suburban.

I was under the impression that Toho Studios didn't do tours or let anyone inside. Is that not true, or do you just mean it's still worth it to go stand outside? If nothing else, I would be down to see what 'not quite suburban' Tokyo looks like.

If they're fine with going to toy stores and the like, a trip to Mandarake is a must.

Aside from that, just some general location spotting should be a fun time for both parties.

Thanks! I'm sure they'd be just fine with that.

[Spuro]

For kaiju-related adventures, your best bet is tracking down Toho Studios. It's in a quiet little area of Tokyo, almost but not quite suburban.

I was under the impression that Toho Studios didn't do tours or let anyone inside. Is that not true, or do you just mean it's still worth it to go stand outside? If nothing else, I would be down to see what 'not quite suburban' Tokyo looks like.

Nah, they don't do tours. At least not while I was there. But it's cool to be able to stand outside the soundstages. They got an enormous painting of Mothra on one of them, as well as a two-meter Godzilla statue, if that interests you.

"Not quite suburban" Tokyo is... quiet, considering the city. I went there during cicada season and it was about the only spot in the city that they weren't screeching constantly.

[Mr. Yellow]

Worth going to Kadokawa as well, apparently there are huge statues of Gamera and Daimajin.

[KaijuCanuck]

So I am currently on my trip now. I am in Vietnam, and arriving in Osaka on May 23. From there we visit Kobe, Kyoto and finally Tokyo. Already in Vietnam, I’ve seen a lot of Godzilla and Ultraman figures available for dirt cheap. I picked myself up some little Gigan and Mechagodzilla statues because I know they won’t be cheap in Japan.

If anyone knows some more specifics of where I should go along my path in Japan, I’d love to hear!

[KaijuCanadian]

So I am currently on my trip now. I am in Vietnam, and arriving in Osaka on May 23. From there we visit Kobe, Kyoto and finally Tokyo. Already in Vietnam, I’ve seen a lot of Godzilla and Ultraman figures available for dirt cheap. I picked myself up some little Gigan and Mechagodzilla statues because I know they won’t be cheap in Japan.

If anyone knows some more specifics of where I should go along my path in Japan, I’d love to hear!

Those sound like lovely figurines! Also maybe I should change my name - can mods help with that? Pleased to see two of us on here!

[KaijuCanuck]

So I am currently on my trip now. I am in Vietnam, and arriving in Osaka on May 23. From there we visit Kobe, Kyoto and finally Tokyo. Already in Vietnam, I’ve seen a lot of Godzilla and Ultraman figures available for dirt cheap. I picked myself up some little Gigan and Mechagodzilla statues because I know they won’t be cheap in Japan.

If anyone knows some more specifics of where I should go along my path in Japan, I’d love to hear!

Those sound like lovely figurines! Also maybe I should change my name - can mods help with that? Pleased to see two of us on here!

Thanks! That’s pretty funny about the name - guess we’re just both super awesome.

[LSD Jellyfish]

Uhhhh:

When you’re there, look up on google maps a store called Mandrake. They’re second hand stores, but big. They usually have a large selection of vinyl figures. There’s one in Tokyo, Shibuya that’s awesome. It’s nearby some good food places and some fun stores so it’ll be good for your friends as well. Pretty much if you punch in “toy stores” near me in google you’ll get a lot of results.



Akihabara has a lot of vinyl figures and shops, but it’s total weeb land.

Seperately, in Uneo (Tokyo) there’s a large park, zoo and tons of museums. Great to bring friends.

Try visiting the new Shin statue.

In terms of Osaka, there’s tons of hobby shops if you just walk down this Main Street, I don’t rememeber the name, but basically in Osaka there’s tons of places.

Also what’s that about smog? Tokyo is legit one of the cleanest cities.

[Jomei]

Hey guys... I'm going to Japan! I'm going to have about a week there, and definitely be in Tokyo, and possibly Osaka as well. Apart from the various statues, and the Godzilla store and hotel, can anyone advise me what I should do? I have to keep in mind that I'm traveling with two friends who are not kaiju fans, so I probably won't be able to monopolize the trip and do everything, so I want to prioritize the best things.

If you like Ultraman, Kaiju Sakaba is about the most fun you can have for dinner. Check my blog for some info on what it's like--I've been to the now-closed Osaka one as well as the one I'll link you to on Trip Advisor, which is easily accessed in the Tokyo area:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_ ... Kanto.html

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

So I am currently on my trip now. I am in Vietnam, and arriving in Osaka on May 23. From there we visit Kobe, Kyoto and finally Tokyo. Already in Vietnam, I’ve seen a lot of Godzilla and Ultraman figures available for dirt cheap. I picked myself up some little Gigan and Mechagodzilla statues because I know they won’t be cheap in Japan.

If anyone knows some more specifics of where I should go along my path in Japan, I’d love to hear!

If you really are a true fan, you should try to see the new anime film if you can. Perfect timing.

[KaijuCanuck]

Uhhhh:

When you’re there, look up on google maps a store called Mandrake. They’re second hand stores, but big. They usually have a large selection of vinyl figures. There’s one in Tokyo, Shibuya that’s awesome. It’s nearby some good food places and some fun stores so it’ll be good for your friends as well. Pretty much if you punch in “toy stores” near me in google you’ll get a lot of results.



Akihabara has a lot of vinyl figures and shops, but it’s total weeb land.

Seperately, in Uneo (Tokyo) there’s a large park, zoo and tons of museums. Great to bring friends.

Try visiting the new Shin statue.

In terms of Osaka, there’s tons of hobby shops if you just walk down this Main Street, I don’t rememeber the name, but basically in Osaka there’s tons of places.

Also what’s that about smog? Tokyo is legit one of the cleanest cities.

Thanks! I’m definitely going to try and check out Mandrake, and I’ll try to hit up some other shops as well.

Hey guys... I'm going to Japan! I'm going to have about a week there, and definitely be in Tokyo, and possibly Osaka as well. Apart from the various statues, and the Godzilla store and hotel, can anyone advise me what I should do? I have to keep in mind that I'm traveling with two friends who are not kaiju fans, so I probably won't be able to monopolize the trip and do everything, so I want to prioritize the best things.

If you like Ultraman, Kaiju Sakaba is about the most fun you can have for dinner. Check my blog for some info on what it's like--I've been to the now-closed Osaka one as well as the one I'll link you to on Trip Advisor, which is easily accessed in the Tokyo area:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_ ... Kanto.html

Woah, that actually looks incredible. How is it price-wise?

So I am currently on my trip now. I am in Vietnam, and arriving in Osaka on May 23. From there we visit Kobe, Kyoto and finally Tokyo. Already in Vietnam, I’ve seen a lot of Godzilla and Ultraman figures available for dirt cheap. I picked myself up some little Gigan and Mechagodzilla statues because I know they won’t be cheap in Japan.

If anyone knows some more specifics of where I should go along my path in Japan, I’d love to hear!

If you really are a true fan, you should try to see the new anime film if you can. Perfect timing.

I thought about this... but I speak zero Japanese. I would have absolutely no idea what’s going on.

[Jomei]

Woah, that actually looks incredible. How is it price-wise?

Pretty par for the course for a Japanese pub. When I go to a place like this with someone, I typically spend approximately 3000-4000 yen including 3-4 drinks and several menu items split between us. I have some photos from the menus here: http://jimpluff.tumblr.com/post/1554448 ... se-i#notes

[KaijuCanuck]

Woah, that actually looks incredible. How is it price-wise?

Pretty par for the course for a Japanese pub. When I go to a place like this with someone, I typically spend approximately 3000-4000 yen including 3-4 drinks and several menu items split between us. I have some photos from the menus here: http://jimpluff.tumblr.com/post/1554448 ... se-i#notes

Awesome, thanks for the further info! That sounds pretty reasonable, from what I’ve heard about Japan prices generally. I think we’re actually gonna check this out!

Just got to Osaka. Already loving it!

Added in 2 days 21 hours 50 minutes :
So, my friends are awesome and surprised me with us staying in the Godzilla hotel during our stay in Tokyo. I thought we were just staying in a hostel like we have been the entire time so far. They kept it 100% secret the whole trip up to now. My one friend even used all of his frequent flyer points to help offset the cost.

It’s pretty awesome. We couldn’t get the Godzilla room unfortunately, but it’s still great. The head roars and has light effects on the hour, and the lobby has a lot of Goji decorations as well as a mini Godzilla store.