About
Leaving behind the bustle of Sangenjaya and walking along Chazawa Street, you suddenly come upon a strikingly unique building that leaps into view. From its rooftop, a giant gorilla statue looks down over the city, and sitting in its right palm is a smiling girl with a school backpack. This scene, as if cut from a Showa-era movie, simultaneously evokes nostalgia and surprise.
This three-story building, completed in March 1979, is affectionately known locally as the “Gorilla Building.” The origin of its name is none other than the giant gorilla statue perched on its roof. This gorilla was once part of a set used in a Japanese film, and the building’s owner, captivated by its charm, decided to adopt it. The exact title of the movie is unclear, but a piece of a work that fascinated many during the Showa era continues to live on here.
On the second floor of the building is “K-1 GYM SILVERWOLF,” which opened in March 2005. This gym is known as the place where Masato, a star K-1 middleweight fighter, held public training sessions, attracting many martial arts fans. Going further back, in 1984, the building housed the “Super Tiger Gym,” established by Satoru Sayama, the original Tiger Mask. Sayama trained here for about a year, bringing a new wave to the world of professional wrestling. This building is thus deeply connected to the history of martial arts.
On the first floor is “Almond,” a Western-style confectionery shop boasting a 50-year history. The first-generation owner, Minoru Yoneda, is one of the few people who remember the birth of the Gorilla Building and shares stories from that time. According to him, the building’s owner originally ran a sushi restaurant and decided to install the gorilla statue, which had been used in a movie, on the rooftop. This unique idea gave rise to a landmark in Sangenjaya.
As times have changed, buildings called “Gorilla Building” have appeared across the country, but Sangenjaya’s Gorilla Building can be considered the original. For locals, it serves as a meeting spot, a conversation starter, and is cherished as a symbol of the town. Nearby restaurants have even introduced gorilla-themed menu items, showing the wide-ranging influence of the building.
The presence of this building continues to shine with unchanging charm through the eras of Showa, Heisei, and now Reiwa. Watched over by the gorilla statue, this place is a special space where past and present intersect, continually offering visitors both surprise and nostalgia.