Tokyo, Japan

Gorilla Building

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

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.