Tokyo's Godzilla Trail: A Walking Guide

Tokyo is a city that draws people every day for sightseeing, shopping, work, and much more. But look a little closer, and you'll find Godzilla in more places than you might expect. How many do you know? In fact, each one is inspired by a different Godzilla film.

This guide takes you to Godzilla spots in Shinjuku, Hibiya, and Haneda, with a Chibi Godzilla plush joining the journey to inspire your own plush photography. We hope it inspires your next outing in Tokyo.

12:40
Spot 1: SHINJUKU TOHO BLDG.
The Godzilla Head: An imposing presence towering 50 meters above the city

Walk about five minutes from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station toward Kabukicho, and you'll arrive at SHINJUKU TOHO BLDG., built on the former site of the Shinjuku Koma Theater. The street leading directly to the building is known as Godzilla Road, a name given in 2016 to mark both the release of Shin Godzilla and the building's first anniversary.

At the end of the street, the iconic Godzilla Head suddenly comes into view, peering over the rooftop. Standing approximately 50 meters above ground, it recreates Godzilla's height in the original 1954 film. Towering over the Shinjuku skyline, it has become one of the area's most popular photo spots, where visitors naturally stop to capture the moment.

Getting both Godzilla and your plush in focus is harder than it looks, making this one of the most challenging spots for plush photography.

When you reach this spot, try timing your visit for the top of the hour. Every day from noon to 8 p.m., Godzilla lets out a mighty roar once every hour. As the familiar theme music echoes through the area, cheers erupt from the crowd, creating a brief but memorable moment of excitement.

You can also scan the QR code located directly below the Godzilla Head with your smartphone to enjoy special digital content available only at this location. It's a fun extra that adds another layer to your walk through Shinjuku.

13:10
Spot 2: Around SHINJUKU TOHO BLDG.
Godzilla art beneath your feet

After looking up, turn your attention to the ground. On the sidewalk in front of SHINJUKU TOHO BLDG., you'll find two manhole covers featuring Godzilla artwork.

The covers celebrate Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) and Shin Godzilla (2016). They are part of Tokyo's Character Manhole project, and even the surface pattern of each cover has been specially designed to complement the artwork.

On sunny days, the surface can catch the light and create a bit of glare, so you may need to adjust your angle when taking photos.

Continue around the east side of the building to find a vending machine decorated with a Godzilla design. 

This was an easier spot for plush photography, with no need to worry about keeping both Chibi Godzilla and the background in focus.

13:30
Spot 3: Shinjuku Marui Annex
Home to the world's first GODZILLA STORE, featuring merchandise from across the Godzilla series.

From SHINJUKU TOHO BLDG., it is an easy walk to Shinjuku Marui Annex, a popular shopping destination. On the first floor is GODZILLA STORE Tokyo, the world's first official Godzilla store. Welcoming visitors at the entrance is an approximately 2.3-meter-tall Godzilla statue modeled on the creature's appearance in GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023).

Inside, the store is packed with Godzilla merchandise, from figures and plush toys to stationery and apparel for everyday use. Japanese-style yunomi teacups and pin collections featuring traditional Japanese motifs also make excellent souvenirs for overseas visitors. Fans of Chibi Godzilla will find a dedicated section filled with charming items, making souvenir hunting even more enjoyable. Starting this month, advance merchandise for Godzilla Minus Zero will also be available.

GODZILLA STORE locations can also be found in Odaiba and Shibuya, each welcoming visitors with its own distinctive Godzilla statue.

The store can get quite crowded with Godzilla fans from Japan and overseas, so timing is key if you want a clear shot of the statue.

14:20
Spot 4: Hibiya Godzilla Square
A photo spot in the heart of Hibiya, perfect for a break between shopping and a movie

After taking in the energy of Shinjuku, a short subway ride brings you to Hibiya, an area known for its elegant atmosphere and leisurely city strolls. At Hibiya Godzilla Square, in front of TOHO's head office, stands a Godzilla statue inspired by Shin Godzilla (2016).

TOHO's head office provides an impressive backdrop for the Godzilla statue. The surrounding buildings also make this a great spot for plush photography, with plenty of opportunities to compose eye-catching shots—even for beginners. Take your time finding the perfect angle, but please be mindful of passing vehicles and other people nearby while taking photos.

The former Nihon Gekijo Theater in Yurakucho, now the Yurakucho Marion, has a long association with Godzilla. The area has appeared as a setting for destruction in several films, including the first film, Godzilla, the 16th film, The Return of Godzilla, and the 30th film, GODZILLA MINUS ONE.

With that history in mind, continue to TOHO Cinemas Hibiya in TOKYO MIDTOWN HIBIYA, next to Hibiya Godzilla Square. In the fourth-floor lobby, you'll find another Godzilla statue, whose nostalgic appearance offers a striking contrast to the modern Shin Godzilla statue outside.

In the early afternoon, the statue is backlit from this angle, appearing only as a dramatic silhouette. Can you identify which Godzilla it is from its outline alone? The answer: the Godzilla statue based on the version from Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), the final film in the Heisei Series.

After a fair amount of walking, a café break at Chanter HIBIYA is a welcome chance to recharge. On the third floor, you'll also find TOHO entertainment STORE, where another Godzilla statue is on display. This one is modeled on the Godzilla from Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).

With its dramatic red lighting, the statue looks especially imposing and fearsome when photographed from a low angle. Standing 192 centimeters tall, it has a commanding presence.

16:00
Spot 5: Haneda Airport
A towering Godzilla welcomes visitors at Tokyo's gateway to the skies

From Hibiya, the journey continues to Haneda Airport, a destination worth visiting in its own right. Beyond its role as Tokyo's gateway to the skies, the airport offers observation decks, unique dining options, and exclusive shopping.

About 20 minutes from Hamamatsucho, get off at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station and head toward the departure lobby. There, in the spacious central atrium, you'll come face to face with the original Godzilla. Measuring approximately 40 meters in length, this enormous monument makes a dramatic impression on travelers passing through the airport.

The departure lobby is a busy space, with travelers constantly coming and going. Please be considerate of those around you while looking for the perfect shot.

Continue to the second-floor arrivals lobby, where a panoramic wall graphic showcases a lineup of monsters from across the Godzilla film series. On the same floor, you'll also find a statue of the Godzilla from GODZILLA MINUS ONE.

The wall graphic features a wide variety of monsters from across the Godzilla series. It's a rare opportunity to see so many of them together in one place. The GODZILLA MINUS ONE statue on the same floor is also a popular photo spot for visitors from Japan and around the world, so you may need to wait for the perfect moment to take your picture.

How was your Godzilla walk through Tokyo? From Shinjuku and Hibiya to Haneda, central Tokyo is home to more Godzilla spots than you might expect. More than 70 years after Godzilla first appeared, the King of the Monsters continues to captivate fans across generations and around the world. As the company that has brought Godzilla to audiences for decades, TOHO is always delighted to see people of all ages and nationalities enjoying these encounters with the iconic character.

On Godzilla Day, November 3, the latest film, Godzilla Minus Zero, will finally be released. We hope you'll enjoy the new film, and perhaps set out on your own Godzilla walk through Tokyo as well.

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