Did you know that Shizuoka is the leading manufacturer of “plane models,” Model Miniatures,” scaled down figures and hobby figures in Japan, and as a city in the world? It is a mind-boggling experience for the fans to visit this city and its companies but you can start south of Shizuoka JR Station to prepare yourself for a great adventure.
Model plane by Hasegawa Co
The SHIZUOKA HOBBY SQUARE is a city-sponsored Museum of the hobby industry in Shizuoka City. It is located in the same building housing the Century Hotel just across the street on the left of Shizuoka JR Station South exit. Just go through the “South Spot” entry and go to the 3rd floor!
Shizuoka City has a long history of civilian engineering and manufacturing. The first-ever civilian Japanese plane took off there in 1923 by Jirou Aoshima/青島次郎.
Invaluable relics from the maiden flight plane
The museum is comparatively small but packed to the brim with top-quality samples
It also includes a shop, a workshop where you can try your hand for free and an event room (for a fee). Entrance is free, so even if you are only mildly interested visit the place on a rainy day and you will learn a lot ranging from history to science fiction.
They even have a full-size authentic vintage Harley-Davidson
Note that that I have hyperlinked to the different companies’ homepages. Even if you don’t read Japanese, the pictures will be enough to captivate you all night long.
Star Trek spaceship model by HASEGAWA HOBBY KITS
The Hasegawa hobby Kits display window
TAMIYA is the oldest of them all and are famous in Europe and anywhere else for their car models
But they also have an incredible collection of war history models be it Navy, Air Force or Army
EBBRO MINIATURE MODELS specializes in car and bike models of all kinds
And in jumbo-sized models
If you like ships and castles in particular, you must have a good look at the models of WOODY JOE
For a closer look
A rare scene of Japanese artillery in Edo Era
They have also started WWII ships and planes
AOSHIMA Co is remarkable for its varied sope
They are famous for detailed science models representing not only the outside but also the inside view of animals, humans, machines and vehicles
BANDAI Co is a newcomer to Shizuoka . Their offices are in Nagoya but the whole factory has been moved to Shizuoka a few years ago thus earning the city the title of being the world’s miniature models capital.
These Japanese comics characters are known all over the World
And they boast an incredible range
This Museum is certainly not for kids but for adults who need all their money to indulge in their hobbies!
| Name | Shizuoka Hobby Square |
| Category | Hobby shop |
| Address | 18-1 Minamicho, Suruga-ku | Southpot Shizuoka 3F, Shizuoka 422-8067, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Access | [map]18-1 Minamicho, Suruga-ku | Southpot Shizuoka 3F, Shizuoka 422-8067, Shizuoka Prefecture[/map] |
| Opening Hours | 11:00-18:00, 10:00-18:00 (Saturdays & Sundays & National Holidays);Closed on Mondays |
| Price Range | free except for special events (Separate room) |
| Payment options |
