"Welcome to Japan,
​Mr. Bond."
--- Tiger Tanaka

You Only Live Twice


I had the opportunity to visit Japan in 2017 for a tour of the filming locations, and in preparation for the trip I came to realize how few props and autographs associated with the film I had collected.  I have acquired a few items since then, but most of what I have added to my "collection" are sights and events associated with the tour.  I have shared a few photos at the bottom of this page, remembrances of the beautiful sights and wonderful people of Japan.
In the pre-title sequence, Commander Bond is 'murdered' so as to make Agent 007's opponents no longer track his movements.  To further the deception, the 'murder' is publicized in the news, and he is given a burial at sea in a harbor near Hong Kong.  The burial was being observed from onshore by a man who was reading of the incident in the newspaper.  This replica of the paper made up for the filming, above, is first rate.  Compare it to the paper as shown in the film, below.

'Bird One'

Another replica prop from Factory Entertainment, this is the 'Bird One' capture spacecraft, with two interchangeable space capsules (USA, USSR).
Moneypenny tossed a copy of Instant Japanese to Bond, but he explained that he did not need it because he took a first in Oriental languages at Cambridge.  The film used a first edition; my copy is a revised edition.
Exploding cigarette rocket.  Although the display resembles an SD Studios prop, it is not one.
This is a MBA Gyrojet Rocket Cartridge.  It is the type fired by the Rocket Gun as demonstrated by Tiger Tanaka for Bond at the Ninja training camp.
A replica of the microdot, and picture taken from it, that was part of the material Bond took from Osato's safe and presented to Tiger Tanaka for analysis.
One of the 'communication devices' set behind the seats of the Toyota 2000GT was actually just this portable Sony FM radio.  In the scene from the movie displayed at right, you can see the radio to the left of the camera lenses.
Pictures taken of the laden, and unladen, Ning Po as observed by Tiger Tanaka and Bond.
This stationery is from the set decoration in Osato's office scenes, and was actually used on set.
The above is one of the stunt rifles used by Tiger Tanaka's ninjas as they infiltrated Blofeld's volcano lair.  This custom-made rifle was based on an MBA Gyrojet and is constructed of fiberglass.  The majority of the rifle is finished in brown to replicate the appearance of wood, and the trigger and barrel are finished in black to resemble metal.  This screen-used prop displays minor wear and cracks on the paint finish, with marks from its use in filming.
This is a full set of eight British FOH (Front of House) Cards, circa 1966, for You Only Live Twice.  The absence of pin-holes, tape marks, etc. suggests these particular FOH Cards have been unused.  There is some slight fading but overall they are in very good condition.
Special Edition Corgi gyrocopter
Corgi gyrocopter and Johnny Lightning Toyota 2000GT
SPECTRE 'Bird One' model from Fantastic Plastic.
Replica Ninja throwing stars
Replica of the SPECTRE ring worn by Ernst Stavro Blofeld in You Only Live Twice​.

PHOTOS FROM JAPAN

The New Otani Hotel in Tokyo, which served as the headquarters building of Osato Chemicals.
The ceremonial wedding gong used in Bond's wedding ceremony.
The actual wedding altar from the film.
Himeji Castle near Kyoto, which served as the Ninja training facility.
As a part of the car museum display at the headquarters of Toyota Motors, the Toyota 3000GT used in the filming is a featured attraction.
Kyoto is home to the Geisha District, and many Japanese girls in various stages of training are all around.
Off the coast of Nagasaki is the real Island Of The Dead which appeared in Skyfall​.
In Japan's volcano region, I ran across this water-filled crater.  Could it have been the inspiration for the one that was made for the movie?
This is the exterior of the volcano used to portray Blofeld's lair.  It looks entirely different in the photo due to an eruption several years prior.  The volcano erupted again a couple of months after my visit.
The fishing village of Akime, which served as the location for Bond's honeymoon.
A monument from the Bond producers, situated on a hill overlooking the village of Akime, thanking the villagers for their hospitality to the film crew.
While in Tokyo, I came upon this dental office whose dentist has an unfortunate, yet Bondesque, name: Dr. Ono.