Ultraman Land!

One of Hiroki's favorite characters is Ultraman, a very popular superhero in Japan. I could go into detail of the history of the character and his powers, but if you really want to know, go to wikipedia like I did and find out. All anyone needs to know is Ultraman looks like a robot, there's some extraterrestrial qualities involved, including lasers, but Hiroki likes the fact that Ultraman does cool poses, shoots lasers, and fights monsters.

In Japan, Ultraman is HUGE, and has been since the craze started in 1966. This year, Michiyo wanted to take Hiroki to "Ultraman Land," a theme park about an hour outside of Kumamoto City. For me, a parent, it was bascially a big warehouse with a bunch of arcade games and claw machines, but best of all was a stage on which several shows a day feature live-action Ultraman characters fighting monsters! There may or may not have been plots in these shows, but that didn't stop all the kids and parents from enjoying the atmosphere. We took a TON of pics and video. Here are some of the better ones.

Big Ultraman Head at the entrance. Hiroki is striking one of the signature poses.

This big guy was awesome; we stood in his hands!

Hiroki was riveted by the stage show. Interesting note, and total Japanese courtesy: these blue platforms were heated for audience comfort, but you had to take your shoes off to be on them.

What a priceless family memory: four of us in front of interplanetary defenders!

In case you are wondering, those red characters at the bottom are how to write Ultraman Land in Japanese, while it is pronounced similar to "OOL-torah-mahn RAHN-doh." Just like in this picture, I often play the role of a monster when Hiroki and I are wrestling around.

This is the verson known as "Ultraman-Amane."

Great souvenir and brilliant revenue ploy: For $5, you can buy a special hologram card, and whenever you see one of the characters either walking around or signing after a stage show, you can get their autograph.

Amane was not a fan of Ultraman Santa.

We happen to get a special sendoff, as this Ultraman was ending his autograph session and walking to the dressing rooms behind the scenes. Since he had to walk through the parking lot, Hiroki got a goodbye Ultraman hug. Ultraman Land was quite a memorable experience!