Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Tokyo Gorilla Building

Gorilla Building

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

Tokyo, Japan

Added By
Michael LoRé
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Jeremy sutton-hibbert /Alamy
  ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy
  ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy
“Gorilla” Building in the Sangenjaya area of Tokyo, Japan   Nemo's great uncle
The girl on the gorilla’s hand.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A closer look at the gorilla’s face.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Gorira Biru (Gorilla Building)   Michiel Van den Berg / Atlas Obscura User
Gorilla Building, seen from below.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

While King Kong is synonymous for perching high atop the Empire State Building in New York City holding Ann Darrow in his hand like a rag doll, it appears there is a copycat giant gorilla on the loose in Japan.

Dangling off the top of a three-story commercial building in the Sangenjaya neighborhood of Tokyo is a giant gorilla. Though not officially identified as King Kong, the gorilla is acting in a similar manner as the larger-than-life creature of the iconic monster film released in 1933, having scaled the building while possessing something in its hand.

The Sangenjaya gorilla presents a schoolgirl in his right hand as he extends his arm down from the top of the pink commercial building that houses a FamilyMart convenience store on the ground floor. A girl with black hair in pigtails is wearing a green dress, but no shoes—most likely having fallen off during the ascension of the building. She appears to be in good spirits; more confused than frightened.

Unsurprisingly, this out-of-the-ordinary scene is affectionately and appropriately known as the “Gorilla Building.” It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Sangenjaya train station.

Related Tags

Statues Pop Culture Architecture

Know Before You Go

The statue is a 7-minute walk from the Sangenjaya Metro Station in Tokyo. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Michael LoRe

Edited By

Hermit09, Nikki Vargas, Michiel Van den Berg, Fred Cherrygarden...

  • Hermit09
  • Nikki Vargas
  • Michiel Van den Berg
  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • mstein3005

Published

January 16, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Gorilla Building
Setagaya, 東京都
Tokyo, 154-0004
Japan
35.647586, 139.669146

Nearby Places

Hanegi Park

Tokyo, Japan

miles away

Gotokuji Temple

Tokyo, Japan

miles away

Replica of Duchamp's 'The Large Glass'

Tokyo, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tokyo

Tokyo

Japan

Places 220
Stories 13

Nearby Places

Hanegi Park

Tokyo, Japan

miles away

Gotokuji Temple

Tokyo, Japan

miles away

Replica of Duchamp's 'The Large Glass'

Tokyo, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tokyo

Tokyo

Japan

Places 220
Stories 13

Related Places

  • Statues lined up in Plaza de Oriente.

    Madrid, Spain

    Royal Palace of Madrid Statues

    After the queen of Spain had a dream where these statues fell and crushed her, they were removed from the palace and given new homes around Madrid.

  • Casino from the front yard

    San Pellegrino Terme, Italy

    Casino of San Pellegrino Terme

    This lavish 20th-century casino adorns labels for San Pellegrino water.

  • Osby, Sweden

    'Apan och Kaninen' ('Bunny and Monkey')

    These massive animal sculptures were constructed as part of a reality TV show challenge.

  • Glasgow, Scotland

    Hutchesons' Hall Statues

    A brother statue swap has adorned this building's facade for centuries.

  • Icarus statue at night

    Belgrade, Serbia

    Icarus on the Air Force Command Building

    An Art Deco Icarus statue adorns this abandoned gem of Yugoslav Modernist architecture.

  • Kungsbacka, Sweden

    Bergsala's Super Mario

    A statue of the heroic plumber stands outside a company that bluffed its way into being Nintendo's Scandinavian distributor.

  • Tony Soprano at Vilnius train station

    Vilnius, Lithuania

    Tony Soprano Statue

    A 15-foot-tall statue of the head of the Sopranos family greets passengers at a train station in southeastern Lithuania.

  • Fontana del Gigante at its current location.

    Naples, Italy

    Fontana del Gigante

    This monumental fountain has moved around the city multiple times.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.