7 real-life ‘Godzilla Minus One’ locations in Japan you can visit

The Tsukuba Naval Air Corps Memorial Museum in Ibaraki serves as a poignant reminder of Japan's aviation history and the role of kamikaze pilots during World War II. Established on the site of the former Tsukuba Airfield, the museum showcases exhibits related to the Tsukuba Naval Air Group, including personal letters and artefacts from the pilots.

In the film, the museum was used to shoot main protagonist Koichi Shikishima's (Ryunosuke Kamiki) hospital scene and also served as the special disaster response headquarters where strategy meetings were held. The building's exterior also appears in the scene where Godzilla throws a ship at the building and destroys it.

The serene waters of Lake Hamana contrast sharply with the film’s dramatic confrontations. This location provided the setting for one of the movie's quieter moments, allowing characters to reflect on the looming threat. The natural beauty of the area juxtaposed with the film's high-stakes drama creates a memorable cinematic experience.

The modern architecture of Okaya City Hall stands in for a then-futuristic government facility where key plot developments unfold. Its sleek, contemporary design symbolises the blend of tradition and modernity that is a hallmark of the Godzilla series.

A quintessential coastal locale, Higashihazu Fishing Port captures the essence of a community on the brink of immeasurable destruction. The scenes shot here are filled with a tense anticipation, as citizens brace for the chaos brought by Godzilla’s arrival.

This site, which served as the former base of the Kashima Navy Air Corps, was completed in 1938. It remained largely untouched for the last three decades. The site recently opened to the public, so visitors can now view the historical remnants of World War II that were also featured in the film including the hangar used to house the fighter planes. 

When Godzilla finally and inevitably reaches Tokyo, it demolishes half of Ginza. This particular scene, however, was actually filmed in an empty lot at Shimodate General Sports Park in Ibaraki, with the VFX team building the bustling commercial district's surroundings from scratch in post production. 

The mighty Tenryu River is more than just a scenic backdrop; it's a battleground where the crew of navy veterans and their monstrous adversary clash in one of the film’s most thrilling sequences. The river’s rugged surroundings amplify the intensity of the confrontations, making it a visual highlight of the movie.n This is Japan's ninth longest river, stretching from Nagano through western Shizuoka, but the film features a portion of the Tenryu River in Aichi.