Godzilla Head
If the sky-high buildings and flashing neon of Tokyo’s central Shinjuku neighborhood weren’t intimidating enough, wait until you encounter giant lizard-monster Godzilla peering down at you from eight floors up. OK, no need to panic—this isn’t the “real” Godzilla from the 1954 classic Japanese horror movie, but this model was installed atop the Toho building in 2015.
The basics
While strolling around Shinjuku’s Kabukicho neighborhood, make sure you look out for the great monster. A street-level view might be enough for you, or you can get even closer by heading up to the 8th-floor Godzilla Terrace attached to the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku’s lobby. Unless you’re staying at the hotel, you’ll need to order something from Caféterasse Bonjour to gain access. Many travelers see the Godzilla Head independently, but you may also pass by on a guided walking tour of Shinjuku and Kabukicho.
Things to know before you go
- The view of the Godzilla Head is arguably better from the ground, so don’t worry if you can’t go up to the café for a closer look.
- Searching for a Godzilla-themed souvenir? Head into the nearby Don Quijote store, or the Hotel Gracery lobby.
- Die-hard Godzilla fans might want to book a night in the Hotel Gracery’s Godzilla room, or a standard room with a view of the head.
How to get there
The Godzilla Head is in Kabukicho, a busy area northeast of Shinjuku Station. You can walk there from Seibu Shinjuku Station, a few blocks west of the Toho building; Shinjuku-Nishiguchi, Higashi-Shinjuku, and Shinjuku-Sanchome stations are all quite close as well. The main Shinjuku Station is also not far away but this area can be very difficult to navigate if you don’t know exactly where you're going.
When to get there
The Godzilla Head roars several times a day, but it’s brief so you probably won’t want to stand around waiting. You can catch views at any time of day or night. Kabukicho is a well-known nightlife area, so there’s no need to limit your visit to the daytime.
Hot on Godzilla’s trail
Kabukicho’s Godzilla Head isn’t the only place in Tokyo to see the fearsome monster. Check out the more human-sized model outside the Toho Studios building in Setagaya, west of Shinjuku, and a large full-sized statue outside Yurakucho Station, between Ginza and the Imperial Palace. Fans might also want to check out the red-and-white Tokyo Tower, which has been destroyed by Godzilla in some versions of the movie.
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