YOKOHAMA – A monument in the shape of Godzilla’s footprint at a park in Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo has become a new spot for beachgoers to unwind, having been built in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the release of the first film featuring the fire-breathing, city-stomping monster.
The monument, located at the Tatarahama observation deck in Kannonzaki Park in Yokosuka, has been used as a bench since it was made public in late April. The original Godzilla film in 1954 depicted a scene in which Godzilla was first spotted in waters nearby.
“We hope many people enjoy the monument,” said an official of Toho Co., the creator and producer of the hit “Godzilla” “series.
The monument is 4 meters long, 3.2 meters wide and 45 centimeters high, with its surface covered with black-and-white tiles.
It was built to “express gratitude to Godzilla which has long been loved in this area,” according to the prefectural civil engineering office.
A woman who was visiting the park for a walk said, “I’m happy there is a monument about Godzilla (in this place).”
Yokosuka has also been home to two “Godzilla slides.” The original one was built in 1958 but eventually had to be taken down due to its age. It was replaced by the current slide in Kurihama Flower Park, which was built in 1999 by the local community in cooperation with Toho.
AloJapan.com