Travel Summit In Sendai, Japan

Above, Sendai Station.  The station was featured in two kaiju movies.

Travel industry professionals have gathered in Sendai, Japan for a travel industry summit. 

According to BreakingTravelNews.com:

The joint World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Sendai Recovery & Asia Outlook Forum has opened in Sendai, Japan, with almost 500 industry professionals and government leaders from around the world present.  

As part of the WTTC Global Summit taking place in Tokyo and Sendai, April 16th-17th, the overall theme of this year’s Global Summit is, ‘Leading a Dynamic Industry Through Turbulent Times’. 

Sendai was hit hard by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.  I visited Sendai in 2006.

Sendai was demolished by the giant flower pod in Gamera 2: Advent of Legion and some damage was caused by Rodan in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.  Sendai is spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

Japan Tourism Agency Starts New Tohoku Campaign

Above, Godaido temple at Matsushima Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the number of tourists fell 20 to 40% from pre-3/11 levels, according to an editorial in The Japan Times.

The Japan Tourism Agency has a new tourism campaign (started March 18) to try to drive up Tohoku tourism numbers.

The Japan Times wrote:

"Destination Tohoku," the tourism campaign to help promote and revive tourism in the Tohoku region, started March 18. The Japan Tourism Agency and the local governments and tourism industry in the region hope that the campaign will bring tourists back to the region, which was devastated by the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent Fukushima nuclear crisis.

The appeal of the campaign, which will last through March 31, 2013, is that people can help Tohoku recover from the effects of the disasters by enjoying hot springs, festivals, shopping, local food, cherry blossoms, and other attractions in the region.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will visit Tohoku. Schools are strongly encouraged to choose Tohoku as the destination of their excursions. Business enterprises should strive to hold their employee-training seminars in the region.

The Tohoku region is one of the most scenic in Japan. I visited the region in 2006. Matsushima Bay, a short train ride from Sendai, is one of the most scenic in Japan and is often compared to Carmel, California in scenery.



The family-run Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan (above) in Sendai was one of the nicest ryokans (Japanese inn) I've ever stayed in. It is one I don't have to hesitate to recommend!

To read the full editorial go here.

The Nation: "Japan's Rebirth Is Vital To The Rest of The World"

Above, salarymen waiting for their shinkansen train at a Kyoto Station smoking area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Nation posted an interesting editorial on Japan, "Japan's Rebirth Is Vital To The Rest of The World."

Part of the editorial reads as follows:

One year after the triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, Japan and its people have done a remarkable job in keeping the country great. Of course, there are still lots of challenges ahead before Japan can once again achieve the success it used to enjoy. But suffice to say, today's Japan is much more resilient, flexible and open.

In the years after the Second World War, Japan rose to its feet rapidly, with the assistance of the US. During that period the Japanese people endured all kinds of hardships, but they seldom complained as they rebuilt their war-shattered economy and landscape. Within two decades after the war, Japan's economy was one of the largest in the world. That success continued until very recently. As the world's third largest economy, whatever happens to Japan's economic health will have a direct impact on many countries. For those in Southeast Asia, the stakes are even higher because Japan's economic ties to this part of world remain vital in stimulating development and growth.

Visitors going to Japan after the quake and tsunami will find the country is much more open than before. The government has realised that Japan has a lot of friends overseas. The outpouring of assistance and sympathy in the aftermath of the tragedies encouraged the government and people to increase engagement with the outside world.

To read the full editorial, go here.

MDHut.com Picks Up "Japan Safe For Monster Fan Tourists"

Already, my article re-visit at the Godzilla 3D News and Info blog, "Japan Safe For Monster Fan Tourists" was picked up by MDHut.com.

To view it, go here.

"Japan Safe For Monster Fan Tourists"

Last summer, I wrote an article, "Japan Safe For Monster Fan Tourists" that got some play on the Internet (Anime News Network posted it, amongst others). With the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake Coming up this Sunday, the media has been increasing Japan travel-related stories. The western media initially published hysterical stories on the radiation problems of the Fukushima nuclear power plant that dissuaded some from considering a vacation to Japan. To again "set the record straight" for monster movie fans, here is the article:

TARZANA, CA - The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region of Japan has depressed tourism throughout the country. Author Armand Vaquer says this is totally unnecessary. Prior to the earthquake, tourism amounted to 7% of Japan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) recently declared that Japan is safe for travel.

Armand Vaquer, author of "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" said this is especially true for fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies. The landmarks and locations from the movies were untouched by the disaster.

"Most of the locations shown in the movies are far away from the areas affected by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and radiation problems," said Vaquer. "Most of them are located from Tokyo to the south down to Kyushu. The quake zone is about 150-200 miles northeast of Tokyo. The majority of Japan is now operating normally. Fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies should not be afraid to visit Japan. It is safe to do so."

Vaquer said that when asked, he encourages travelers to go ahead and visit Japan. "Since March 11, I have monitored the situation in Japan so I could provide accurate assessments for tourists," said Vaquer. "Unfortunately, the western media gave people the wrong impression in their reporting immediately following the quake. Their reporting had people thinking the whole country was affected. Not true."

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" is the world's first and only Japan travel guide tailored to fans of Godzilla, Gamera, Mothra, Rodan and other Japanese giant monsters. It provides information on each location/landmark, how to get there and what other attractions are nearby.

"'The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan' is an 'unorthodox' travel guide," admits Vaquer. "But baby-boomers' first exposure to Japan and Japanese culture were through the movies. They want to see the locations and landmarks shown in the films. They should get the travel guide and go and have themselves a great time."

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" is available through http://www.comixpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=1554&zenid=jiq9fjvt4qa67a698cucr0mlf6

The Great East Japan Earthquake

Above, Godaido temple with the Matsushima Bay village in the background in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A year ago this coming Sunday, March 11, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck the northeastern areas of Japan's main island of Honshu. The quake struck at 14:46 hours (2:46 PM JST).

The quake was felt throughout Honshu. It even caused the tip of Tokyo Tower to bend. The damage in the Tohoku region was much worse.

According to Wikipedia's List of Earthquakes In Japan:

This megathrust earthquake's hypocenter was reported to be off the Oshika Peninsula, the east coast of Tohoku. It was the strongest to hit Japan and one of the top five largest earthquakes in the world since seismological record-keeping began. It was followed by a tsunami with waves of up to 10 m (33 ft). The disaster left thousands dead and inflicted extensive material damage to buildings and infrastructure that led to significant accidents at four major nuclear power stations.

(Over 19,000 were killed and scores of people are still missing.)

It was nighttime in the Los Angeles area and I was working the graveyard shift in Burbank. At around 11:15 PM, I received a call from one of my co-workers. He asked if I heard about the earthquake. At that time, I didn't. I immediately got off the phone and searched around the radio dial for news reports. They weren't hard to find.

The reports on the damage and casualties were constantly coming in. Over the course of the night, the news reports were getting worse. I contacted all my Japanese friends in the U.S. and in Japan to see if they and their families made it through okay. All did. I spent much of the early morning hours texting with the last promo model, Miki Hayashi, for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Her family wasn't in the affected area and were fine.

In the immediate days that followed, I monitored the Internet to see how badly damaged Sendai and Matsushima Bay were. I had been to both in 2006. Sendai's airport was hard hit by the tsunami. Matsushima Bay was spared catastropic damage by the tiny islets that dot the bay.


For several days, I searched around for any news about the Godaido temple at Matsushima Bay. Did it survive or was it destroyed? Then, on March 4, I saw a photo showing Godaido still standing on its rock. Why was I so concerned about Godaido? Call it sentimental. My dad was a MP briefly stationed in Sendai before being sent over to South Korea in 1951. He sent my mom a picture of him standing in uniform in front of the temple. In 2006, I visited Sendai and Matsushima Bay and had a photo taken at almost the same spot in front of Godaido as my dad's photo (right).

In the weeks following the earthquake, people from around the world came to Japan's aid with food, supplies, volunteers and money. I contributed through a set-up with Wells Fargo Bank. The sponsors of Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima donated thousands of dollars from the sales of autographed photos of Nakajima at Monsterpalooza in Burbank, California. The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan was sent to Japan to assist.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with Miki Hayashi at Monsterpalooza with an autographed photo that the proceeds went to Japan earthquake relief. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, most of the rubble has been cleared, leaving barren areas where towns once thrived. It'll take years for a full recovery. The Japanese rolled up their sleeves and got right to work.

The quake, tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear reactor radiation problem caused a major drop in tourism to Japan. Much of it was fed by hysterical reporting by western media.

Today, the Japanese tourism industry is well on its way to a full recovery and they are optimistic that they may top 2010's record tourism levels this year. This blog has been "beating the drums" in support for Japan's tourism industry and will continue to do so.

Here's an interesting article on Matsushima Bay one year later.

Japan Back On Its Feet

Above, springtime on Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The United Kingdom's Daily Mail's travel section has posted an article on a visit to Tokyo, "Japan, a fascinating country undimmed by disaster and very much back on its feet." It is well worth reading for those contemplating a trip to Japan.

Here's an excerpt:

The numbers do the talking. The economy is showing signs of recovery, and there is a widespread building boom across Japan, largely sparked by reconstruction efforts after the tsunami.

In the Tohoku region, much of the rubble has been cleared; new buildings are shooting up. In Tokyo, they’re finishing off the Sky Tree, Japan’s tallest building.

It's been earthquake-proofed with techniques borrowed from medieval temples. I travelled for hours through Japan and didn’t see a single physical sign of last year’s tragedy.

I never felt at risk, either of another earthquake, or of being contaminated by anything I ate or drank. I had one of the best meals of my life in Sushi Zanmai, a restaurant by the Tsukiji fish market.

Above, Fujiya is prominently displayed near Ginza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article also highlights several other attractions in Tokyo including the Senso-ji temple and Shinjuku. It includes some beautiful photographs.

Above, one of the Imperial Palace moats. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2109380/Japan-fascinating-country-undimmed-disaster-feet.html#ixzz1o4aVeK78

Ridley Scott To Participate In Japan Quake Film Project

Above, one of the tiny islets off Matsushima Bay that blunted the force of the earthquake-generated tsunami. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake is ten days away. A film project is in the works to document it. Director Ridley Scott will participate.

Asia Travel Today reported:

TOKYO — Hollywood director Ridley Scott is to take part in a project documenting the first anniversary of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, a television network said Wednesday.

The Briton, famous for “Alien”, “Blade Runner” and “Gladiator”, will join “Japan in a Day”, a film about life in the nation 12 months after the disaster that claimed more than 19,000 lives, Fuji Television Network said.

Fuji TV will work with Scott Free, a production company run by the director and his brother, to knit together videos shot by members of the public and footage gathered from 200 TV cameras set up in the affected areas.

To read the full story, go here.

Japanese Tourism Agency Chief Calls On Citizens To Be More Traveler Friendly

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The head of the Japan Tourism Agency wants the Japanese people to show their appreciation to foreign tourists for the support shown this past year during the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11.

The Mainichi Daily News reported:

Hiroshi Mizohata, commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), called on the Japanese people on Feb. 21 to be more receptive to foreign tourists and revitalize the domestic economy along the way in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and subsequent Fukushima nuclear crisis.

During a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), he spelled out measures to recreate Japan as a major tourism nation and said his agency and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will launch a "Japan. Thank You." campaign in late February to express Japan's appreciation for support from around the world and to promote inbound travel at the same time.

Mizohata displayed two boards with banners -- "Japan. Thank You." and "Japan, Rising Again -- Thank you for your support" featuring an illustration of soaring carp -- at his news conference.

The Japanese people, I've found, are very hospitable to foreign tourists. They've been very courteous and helpful to me during my past visits. This has been the case with people I've met in shops, tourist information centers, theaters, trains, restaurants and on the street.

I cannot praise them enough.

To read the full article, go here.

Japan's Foreign Tourist Numbers Down For 11th Straight Month

Above, a view of Kyoto from the shinkansen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Times reported today that the number of foreign visitors to Japan was down for the 11th straight month since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

They reported:

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in January fell 4.1 percent from a year earlier to 685,000, declining for the 11th straight month since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, an estimate by the Japan National Tourism Organization showed Friday.

The rate of decline was the lowest and the number of foreign visitors the highest during the 11-month period, showing signs of a recovery, although the Fukushima nuclear crisis and the yen's historic appreciation continue to weigh.

Note that the tourist decline was also attributed to the high yen.

To read the full story, go here.

Japan Still Trying To Make Tourism Attractive

Above, Tokyo Tower looms in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is interesting to read articles on recovery efforts of Japan's tourism industry. Most of them focus on the fears of would-be tourists of radiation contamination from the Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima.

I read another one today. This is from Channel NewsAsia.com:

JAPAN: Almost a year after the March 11 disasters struck Japan and hit its tourism sector, authorities are still finding ways to draw tourists back.

Koreans and Singaporeans have consistently ranked among the top 10 inbound tourists to Japan before the March 11 disasters, when a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami, which knocked out the cooling systems of the Fukushima plant's reactors.

Almost a year after the disasters hit, fears of a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant still linger in the minds of would-be tourists, making travel to Japan a less attractive option.

That's a concern tourism authorities are trying to tackle.

While concerns over the Fukushima nuclear plant are justified to an extent, most such articles gloss over (or don't even mention) the poor rate of exchange between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar (and other currencies). The article is another that avoids mentioning the foreign exchange situation. Foreign tourists will avoid places where they will receive a poor rate of exchange. To them, it would make a trip to Japan more expensive and less attractive.

Today's U.S. dollar/Japanese yen rate is 1 USD = 77.0337 JPY.* As I've mentioned in past blog posts, I received 116 yen per dollar exchanged in 2007. In December 2010 (my most recent trip to Japan), that deteriorated to around 86 yen per dollar exchanged.

If Japan can get the exchange rates more favorable to potential tourists, that would go a long way to solving their tourism woes. That is another concern that should be tackled.

To read the full article, go here.


*Source: Universal Currency Converter.

Japan's Foreign Ministry Inviting Overseas Bloggers To Quake Zone

Above, one of the tiny islands off Matsushima Bay.

An interesting news item from The Mainichi Daily News caught my attention:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Foreign Ministry is inviting prominent overseas bloggers and twitterers to visit areas devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The ministry has launched the initiative to revive the tourist industry in quake-hit northeastern Japan. It wants foreign guests to write about the progress made in rebuilding disaster-ravaged communities and let the world know that the area still remains an appealing holiday destination.

This is an excellent idea. Although it doesn't make up for the defunct plan to give away 10,000 round-trip flights to foreigners, it does make sense to have bloggers from around the world to see for themselves the progress Japan has made in the quake disaster zone.

Above, Armand at Godaido Temple at Matsushima Bay in 2006.

I visited Sendai and Matsushima, both hit hard by the March 11, 2011 quake and tsunami, back in April 2006. It would be interesting to see both areas now to see how they compare to when I last visited.

Above, the statue of Date Masamune at the site of Sendai Castle.

The article also states:

The ministry aims to invite a total of over 10 such communicators by the end of March.

Well, I am willing to take a trip to the quake devastation zone and report on it. This operator is standing by!

To read the full article go here.

Ambitious Japan: 9 Million Tourists In 2012

Above, the Fuji TV building in Odaiba, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan has big hopes to draw more foreign tourists to the country this year.

The Mainichi Daily News reports:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's tourism minister Takeshi Maeda said Tuesday that the government aims to attract over 9 million foreign visitors to Japan in 2012, exceeding the past record of 8,611,000 in 2010.

I was one little piece of the 2010 record as I made my last Japan visit in December 2010 to promote The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Japan's ambitious goal for 2012 is a tall order as there are still fears (most of it unfounded) over radiation problems in Fukushima in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11.

To read the full article, go here.

Tokyo Tough Enough For Major Earthquake?

Above, the business district near Tokyo Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is confident that Tokyo can withstand a major earthquake, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

The article states:

If and when the next major earthquake hits Tokyo, Japan’s post March 11-Reconstruction Minister Tatsuo Hirano is convinced the capital, and other urban hubs around the country, are in good shape to withstand the force.

“Please rest assured, and don’t flee Tokyo,” said Mr. Hirano, who is also the country’s minister of state for disaster management, speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Tokyo on Thursday.

The reason for his apparent confidence? The strength of Tokyo’s buildings and transportation systems like elevated roadways and tracks.

Hopefully, this statement isn't akin to the boast that the Titanic was "unsinkable."

To read the full article, go here.

Japan Tourism: CNN Gets It Right

Above, dusk in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, a news organization got it right.

CNN.com reported on the state of Japan tourism:

Hong Kong (CNN) – More than 10 months after the Fukushima meltdown and Japan is still dealing with the fallout - this time the key industry of tourism is reeling from the catastrophe.

According to government figures released Tuesday, the number of foreign nationals entering Japan dropped 24.4% from a record of 9.45 million in 2010 to 7.14 million in 2011.

New entries of foreign nationals - a figure that excludes working or studying expatriates that may have returned after home leave - made a similarly dismal showing. The Immigration Bureau of the Justice Ministry said new entrants fell from 7.92 million in 2010 to 5.45 million in 2010, slumping 31.2%.

The government says a combination of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the high level of the Japanese yen were the key factors in the decline.

There's been many articles on the state of Japanese tourism, but their only focus has been on the earthquake, tsunami and radiation problems. They fail to take into account the poor rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen.

More Americans would seriously consider a vacation in Japan if the dollar could buy more yen.

A kudos to CNN for getting it right!

To see the full article, go here.

Airport World On Japan's "Difficult Days"

Above, Tokyo Station in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Airport World has posted an interesting article on the state of aviation following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The article begins with:

Geoff Tudor looks at how the Japanese aviation market is faring ten months on from the country’s devastating March earthquake and tsunami.

It then compliments the Japanese on how they handled the crisis:

Few countries in the world could have coped with such devastation so well or with such calm dignity as Japan, which in a typical Japanese way, has set about repairing the damage with the minimum of fuss.

The article includes two photos of Sendai Airport. The first taken immediately after the tsunami hit and the second after it was cleaned up on August 24.

From there, the article describes how the disaster affected travel, inbound and outbound, and the efforts the Japanese tourism industry has taken and needs to take.

The article is worth a read if you're interested in visiting Japan.

To read the article, go here.

10,000 Free Flights To Japan In 2012: Ain't Gonna Happen!

Above, the Ginza Mitsukoshi Department store in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Remember that story of a few months ago about 10,000 free flights to Japan for foreigners from the Japan Tourism Agency to help boost Japan's tourism? Well, it ain't gonna happen, folks!

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Back in October, Japan’s national tourism agency floated a plan that seemed an ideal remedy to boost flagging visitor numbers in the wake of the March 11 disasters. Free flights to Japan in 2012. A full 10,000 of them.

Now, as the country crunches through the detail of tight budget numbers for next year, the hope many had for visiting Japan in 2012 has evaporated into a pipe dream: There won’t be any free flights next year, period. The budget for them has not been approved.

Whatever tourism authorities thought a good idea, Japan simply can’t afford it, the government’s budget planners have concluded.

Above, the Imperial Palace's Nijubashi Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Somehow, the announcement was made prematurely, with wire services, news organizations and other sites (including travel-related blogs) running with the story. Potential travelers salavated over the prospect of free airfare.

All this means is that foreign tourists wanting to visit Japan in 2012 will have to come up with the airfare funds on their own. Aw, fiddle sticks!

Above, the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh, well. Just get The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and go anyway.

To read the full article, go here.

Japan Tourism Industry Optimistic For 2012

Japan's tourist industry is optimistic that 2012 will see a major rebound in tourist numbers.

According to The Star.com:

TOKYO—The Japanese capital is all dressed up for the holidays and people are bundling up to head out and enjoy the sights. Many flock to the brick-lined Yebisu Garden Place to see its solar-powered Christmas tree, hear live music, and marvel at the Baccarat Eternal Lights chandelier. Five-metres tall, three-metres wide, and adorned more than 8,400 crystal parts and 250 lights, it’s a mesmerizing display, symbolic perhaps of the hopes people here have for the future. After the pall that fell over this country following the March 11th disaster, most are looking forward to a brighter 2012.

That includes the folks who work in tourism. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) says foreign visits dropped 73% in the days after the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. But with time, and thanks to a Herculean effort to salvage a $19.4 billion (CAD) industry, travelers are returning. As of October, visits were only down about 15% overall.

There is one downside that the article omits: the poor rate of exchange between the dollar and yen. The number of American tourists to Japan will rise once the rate of exchange improves.

The article then goes through a list of Japan's regions people should visit.

To view the full article, go here.

WTTC: Japan Tourism Recovering Faster Than Expected

Above, Harajuku Station in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's some good news for the Japanese tourism industry.

Breaking Travel News.com posted:

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the launch of the third of four quarterly reports into the recovery of the Japanese tourism industry following the Tohoku Tsunami earlier this year.

According to the report – officially entitled The Tohoku Pacific Earthquake & Tsunami: Impact on Travel & Tourism - Update December 2011 – the tourism industry in the country has rebounded strongly in the second half of 2011 and more rapidly than previously expected.

In the World Travel & Tourism Council’s second Japan report in September 2011, analysis of tourism data showed the recovery was in line with the low impact scenario, and more recent analysis shows that domestic and outbound tourism is now back to pre-March 2011 baseline, with inbound well on the way to recovery.

Inbound travel has yet to fully recover and for 2011 as a whole, foreign visitor arrivals are expected to be around 25 per cent lower than in 2010.

Arrivals continue to be in line with previous WTTC low impact scenario, which states that international tourist arrivals will recover in numbers by early 2012.

This is good news for businesses who cater to the tourism market in Japan. The March 11 earthquake and tsunami along with radiation fears caused a big drop in foreign tourists to Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

Visit Rodan's Sendai Station

Above, Sendai Station during my visit in April 2006.

Up in northeast Japan is the city of Sendai. It lies in the Tohoku region of Japan that was hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11. Clean-up and repairs are currently undergoing in the area.

One prominent landmark featured in kaiju movies was the JR Sendai Station. I visited Sendai in 2006. The station was featured in two giant monster movies: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II and Gamera 2: Advent of Legion. Sendai Station suffered no major damage during the earthquake.



In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), the area near Sendai Station suffered major damage due to the shockwaves from a fly-by of Rodan (photo above). Just prior to Rodan's fly-by of Sendai Station, a fly-by along the coast near Matsushima Bay was shown. Matsushima Bay is noted for its 200 small islands and is often compared to Carmel, California in scenic beauty.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan showcases Sendai and its role in the two kaiju movies along with information on where to stay and other attractions to see.

Last November, I posted a spotlight article on Sendai Station. To view it, go here.