A lifelong love for Japan inspired me to recently visit for the first time. I topped the whole experience off by attending a once in a lifetime event.
With major stops at the Tokyo Disney Resort, Hakone hot springs, and around the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku AKA the Godzilla hotel tower in the Kabuki-Cho district of Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Special thanks my guests:
@magicmakeryua
@Meshida
Check them out!
#japan #japantravels #japaneseculture #japanlife #japanvlog #japanvlogs #travel #travelvlog #trailer #Onsen #hotsprings #hakone #tokyo #shinjuku #godzilla
[Music] experience Japan Through The Eyes of a lifelong Godzilla fan a story of one kid’s dreams coming true in 2023 we’ll see bits of Japanese culture some pretty cool places and end up in Tokyo for the movie event of a lifetime so please join me on this personal Journey coming up next welcome to Luis mesa’s you YouTube channel this is an extra special episode about my time in Japan a mix of my amateur recordings Clips memories and anecdotes that I’m excited to share as I haven’t seen anyone make quite a trip like mine one that was Guided by my experience in life growing up going all the way back to my childhood so first to start let me ask you this when you think back to your first memory what comes to your mind [Music] many American children might remember their earliest Christmas morning with their family opening their favorite present or a glimmer of their earliest Disney Experience I myself recall watching Mickey’s Christmas Carol as a very early memory but when I close my eyes and think back as far as I can instead of Christmas and Mickey Mouse for me it’s New Year’s Day and what I see and hear [Music] is that’s right it’s Godzilla you see it was an old American television tradition to show Godzilla movies on New Year’s Day run for your lives the Godzilla marathon is coming seven smashit M and watching this was my first clear memory I can’t believe it the sights and sounds of these movies lit my young three-year-old imagination on fire I was mesmerized by those giant awe inspiring monsters but there was more to my instant fascination with Godzilla much more those films were a gateway to a past and people from a completely foreign land and I became enamored with the culture stories skylines and Landscapes which for most of my life only existed in my mind as part of some Far Away place that is until 2023 when just months after After Japan had lifted its travel restrictions I finally visited for a 2 week [Music] vacation Tokyo alone took up most of my trip though for one day I visited a World War II Memorial and former P campsite on the west coast that I read about in American hero Louis zamperini’s biography it was my only peaceful day as back around Tokyo I rushed to as many places as I could including the Ultram man town the Gundam in Yokohama Tokyo Disneyland and Disney [Music] sea as well as the most notable Godzilla locations the original too Studios the new studio and sound stages at Godzilla square and of course I stayed at the Godzilla [Music] hotel as I strolled around the hotel one day I stumbled into this restaurant cross promoting another series I love Evangelion with a new film from a different Japanese [Music] icon Shin common rider [Music] which premiered the same weekend I was in [Music] Tokyo as I enjoyed the surroundings I recognized that Evangelion and shin common writer were both from the same filmmaker hidano who also directed The Last Japanese Godzilla film the 2016 political thriller and Japan’s Best Picture Winner that year Shin God and then another thought occurred to me the next Japanese Godzilla film set in post World War II 1940s Japan had just been announced so I thought it’s been 7 years since Shin Godzilla who knows how many years till the next Japanese one what if I returned to Japan for this movie’s opening weekend excuses popped up in my head about why I shouldn’t because I had other trips planned other videos to make classes my job and I couldn’t possibly find more free time for this yet in my heart I knew Godzilla minus one was something I had to come back for so I decided yes let’s go my itinerary for that brief trip ended up working out like this now let’s relive it I left the morning of October 31st and arrived the next afternoon so I skipped Halloween entirely to get these days perfectly over the new movies opening weekend I had been thinking that Tokyo Disney C could be the perfect place to set the mood for this Godzilla trip during my first visit I was enthralled by the Mysterious Island and the theming from those 50s era sci-fi films however with a few hours to check out only one part I ended up deciding to go to Tokyo Disneyland instead which was hosting a unique celebration this year and where I had some unfinished business so that will be our first stop this would be my only chance to see the 40th Ann iversary celebration at Tokyo Disneyland which was already transitioning into Christmas time as for unfinished business during my first visit I had a taste of what is still my favorite snack across all of the Disney parks the pork rice rolls from their version of Frontier land which I have been craving ever since my first bite also Tokyo Disneyland has the world’s only second castle with a Beauty and the Beast attraction which I missed the first time because I got there too late and the queue had already closed so as I walked in I contemplated my options go straight to the beast’s castle and risk missing out on pork rolls or get my pork rolls first and risk the beauty in the Beast que closing and that’s if it wasn’t closed already then as I posed for a picture at the castle The Familiar sounding music of Western strings in the distance made my mouth water my empty stomach began growling and my choice became [Music] clear made it to Tokyo Disneyland and I got the best snack those babies are pork rice I came all this way just to eat this [Music] just like I remember it now to make a run for Beauty and the Beast but in my haste I got lost and went toward the wrong castle and by the time I I turned around and made it the queue had closed just like last time and as if that weren’t enough the 40th anniversary fireworks show was [Music] cancelled for a moment I was crushed but with no time to be sad I realized I now had an opportunity to enjoy Tokyo Disneyland’s tomorrow land which was scheduled to be closed for 2 years for a futuristic update so let’s take a quick walk through too Space Mountain one last [Music] time if nothing else from this Tokyo Disneyland trip we at least got to see classic Tokyo Disneyland tomorrow land one last time after my final Tokyo Space Mountain ride the park had closed and it was time to get some sleep because the next morning I would travel deeper into the heart of Japan for a very different more sentimental [Music] experience I woke up early to catch the first bus out of Tokyo’s Shinjuku station on a ride about 100 km south of the city the route took me through parts of the Japanese Countryside that allowed me to see Mount Fuji for the very first time on the way to the hot springs town of hakone the setting for the anime series created by hi aiano I mentioned earlier inspired by a 4-year period he spent in a deep depression that series was Evangelion the story of Shinji iari and his struggle to find selfworth and connection with others I felt that the way shinji’s inner turmoil was portrayed captured the essence of my own despair as I went through a heartbreaking time in my life seeing such a depressing story set in this beautiful place felt strange yet almost soothing to my aching heart and as the story evolved seeing Shinji break through his struggles and reach for what he loves Against All Odds is part of what inspired me to live fully [Music] [Applause] again I came here to connect those emotions I felt with the nature that inspired it all [Applause] [Music] this first stop toen D station did not interest me for its tourist attractions I simply came to feel this fantasy become reality and also to see reality turn into fantasy part of this station had transformed into the nerve base from Evangelion to promote the final film in the series back in 2021 I had read about this installation online and I hoped to see it someday but with the world shut down I truly thought I’d never get the chance now here I was and while the facade doesn’t lead to any secret headquarters I did find a romantic lakeside restaurant that I’d have to try another time for now I took in the these last moments and moved on to the town’s main station hakone yumoto for my final Evangelion pilgrimage site a visit to the official [Applause] store and with that I began my Ascent alongside the creeks and burgeoning Autumn Leaves past the Streetside food stalls and along hakon’s famous hot spring ends to a place on top of a hill where I’d be spending the [Music] night that Hilltop destination was a rokan and onen that is traditional Japanese in and an outdoor hotring the pin noada and hakon mor onen where I came to experience an intimate part of Japanese culture [Music] as I checked in and made my way toward my room I felt some kind of transcendence it was like entering a place built from my memories of those old Japanese films little details like slippers at the door the types of traditional clothing the style of sitting around the tables the patterns of the windows the sliding doors the layout of the rooms it was all surreal as if that old Japan in my imagination had at long last become my reality after getting situated I made my way to the onen that first time entering nude into an outdoor public bath was quite a shock at first but not long after I settled into that steaming hot spring water my nerves calmed my mind loosened up and a sense of reinvigoration and serenity came over me the likes of which I had never felt before and that I’ll never forget I relaxed long into the night then enjoyed a traditional post bath Japanese Feast for dinner and the soundest sleep I’ve had in a long [Music] time I went in for another dip before my breakfast buffet and then I couldn’t resist a third and final trip to the yansen where I re-entered the world of Evangelion one more time feeling like Shinji in one of his only moments of peace [Music] ah this feels like heaven and that wraps up my stay in beautiful hakon Japan but I’m getting ahead of myself November 3rd Godzilla day and this year also the opening day for Godzilla minus one multiple promotions were going on to celebrate across Japan including this float driving around Tokyo depicting one of the scenes from the new movie and a fan event at Godzilla square with screenings multiple movie celebrations and Godzilla themed food meanwhile here in hakone I had found out about a unique Hot Springs theme park that had set up a one-of-a-kind Godzilla promotion I was behind schedule but finally set out to get there before noon there was just one minor oversight I had no idea that that Japan celebrates a holiday on November 3rd culture day for which hakone was hosting a series of events and parades the road closures and tourist influx put me even further behind schedule though if I had to suffer a delay I suppose this was the nicest way to go finally by mid afternoon I arrived at the unisun hot springs theme park it was like a day at the beach at the water park and a spa all wrapped in one but high up in the mountains I recorded a walkthrough you can find on my YouTube channel where I visited each Godzilla attraction I also couldn’t help but enjoy all the unique baths here there was one infused with coffee another with red wine among many [Music] others and as I splashed around throughout the day in Tokyo the Godzilla minus one opening night events started getting underway while in hakone the tourist congested buses were behind schedule so I decided not to rush to Tokyo for the movie tonight that would be stressful and I wanted to stay relaxed by rescheduled movie night for Saturday November 4th and instead I made a pit stop on my way back to Tokyo where at Kawasaki station I knew the perfect place to Satisfy My Monster appetite kausa Caba which can translate to monster bar a restaurant themed after the monsters from the Ultram man Saga Ultram man of course made by one of Godzilla’s co-creators a Subara I came for the first time back in March but when I got there the kitchen had closed however the bar was still open and they allowed me to record this little tour so first let me show you around after the store at the front of the restaurant is the first booth area dedicated to the ultra men and the sssp or Science Patrol with props replicas posters and Technical readouts decorating the area at the other end of the restaurant was a traditional Japanese banquet room just like ones I’d seen in the movies [Music] the televisions play Ultram man’s different monster fights figures and artwork decorating all over the second booth area is dedicated to aliens from the Ultram man [Music] Universe while the main hallways booths are themed for the most popular Kaiju they seated me with my favorite Ultram Man’s first antagonist the more where I was served my first sake in Japan for this November visit I arrived earlier than last time but the booths were full so I was seated at the counter I chose the signature dish here alen balon’s Hospitality which is a type of crab fried rice and like a good American I chose a second on tray after that something off the special menu after which collecting the goodies they gave me I finally returned to my home base the Godzilla Hotel contacting a friend who lives in Tokyo along the way to join me tomorrow for the big [Music] day back during my trip in March I had gone to a standup show by Japanese comedian Mida Misha was doing a bit when I heard someone in the audience say something peculiar simply in English your Japanese is great that Spanish-speaking guy is now my good friend Christopher from Argentina we talked after the show and discovered we both have the same love for Japanese culture and having a good time so I thought he’d be the perfect person to come with me to watch the movie tonight but before that I made one last Godzilla related stop at the Godzilla squares chander Mall there was a display of movie posters from throughout the history of Godzilla films there was a pop-up Godzilla shop and an exhibition dedicated to the founder of too Studios Kobayashi ichizo after taking some pictures and recordings I returned to the hotel to get ready for the night [Music] [Applause] [Music] ready all in black I headed to Acorn the restaurant at the foot of the Godzilla Hotel Tower with a killer happy hour to sip on some wine as I waited for Chris to arrive [Music] after some beers and still with time to kill I took Chris around the block to a little corner bar that I’ve always seen Poppin a place with two different names it’s either bar Aqua or Cafe 88 depending on where you look hey that’s a little odd isn’t it so well whatever the case I’d see this place full of partygoers even on my 600 a.m. morning runs I would guess it’s popular among people who missed their last train home home since it’s open 24 hours a [Music] day things looked good from the outside so Chris and I stepped in for a piece of the action after a taste of the party the time had come we walked back as the final countdown to Godzilla minus one had begun [Music] as we walked my jial mood quickly dissipated as I felt myself almost losing touch with my surroundings and a stream of emotions and memories began to take hold of me I remembered a random thought coming to my mind a lesson from this book Mastery in it author Robert Green observed that the Great Achievers he studied from Leonardo da Vinci all the way to Steve Jobs maintained some form of connection to their deepest childhood inclinations which was a Common Thread and key part to their success I often wondered how this Insight applied to me as I never felt any special attraction to math or art or sports or science it was a strange thought but as I considered it it no longer seemed so Random as I realized that the childhood inclination for me must be Ted died to the spark of Wonder I felt seeing Godzilla and Japan on screen in my earliest years then another childhood memory suddenly followed the first time my parents took me to Universal Studios Hollywood at The Things From Another World shop and the moment I first discovered imported Japanese Godzilla toys I still remember the shock I felt seeing so many of my favorite monsters who looked like like they jumped straight out of the movies I never forgot that moment of childhood wonderment I loved that store and for years it was my favorite place in the whole wide world until now once again I stood before the Godzilla hotel for a moment in disbelief that I the child whose earliest memory was watching Godzilla movies from Japan so long ago had made it this far as I continued toward the the too Cinema’s entrance where I began to reminisce on a later part of my life the years I worked for Japanese company Bandai Namco and especially 2019 when I was assigned to manage the Godzilla sales booth at San Diego ComicCon that weekend I got to see props straight out of the old Godzilla movies I met actors artists and I myself became the Godzilla guy to the thousands of fans from around the world who came to my my booth it was the kind of dream experience I never thought I’d have again now here I was in Tokyo the new movie moments away I went in as memories of those old films seemed to flash before my eyes those monsters that thrilled me every time they appeared on screen Japan the country I fell in love with through film the changes I saw it go through going back seven decades and all the fascinating aspects of the culture that from childhood to this day still fuels my passion and curiosity the stories that helped shape who I am stories of Courage determination self-sacrifice and tragedy some which can still bring tears to my eyes and last the stories of Romance of ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances and compelled to be heroes for the world and to the women who loved them and so I wondered what would this new story bring to my life as I stepped into the IMAX Auditorium and sat down the lights dimmed the previews rolled and at long last the movie The Moment [Music] arrived [Music]