Category Archives: Hobbies

Shizuoka Hobby Square: Miniature Models Heaven!

Model plane by Hasegawa Co!

Did you know that Shizuoka City is the leading manufacturer of “plan models”, Model Miniatures”, sclaed own 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 right south of Shizuoka JR Station to prepare yourself for a great adventure!

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 manufacture.
The first-ever civilian Japanese plane took off there in 1923 by Jirou Aoshima/青島次郎!

Invaluable relics for the maiden flight plane!

The Museum is comparatively small but packed to the brim with top-quality samples!
They also include a shop, a workshop where you can try your hand for free and an event room (for a fee).
The entrance is free, so even if you are only mildly interested visit the place on a rainy day!
You will still learn a lot 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 Eurpoe and anywhere else for their car models!

But they also 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 looks at the models of WOODY JOE!

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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 City. Their offices are in Nagoya City but the whole factory has been moved to Shizuoka City a few years ago thus earning Shizuoka City the title of World 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!

SHIZUOKA HOBBY SQUARE
422-8067 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Minami Machi, 18-1, South Spot 3F
Tel.: 054-289-3033
Opening hours: 11:00~18:00, 10:00~18:00 (Saturdays & Sundays & National Holidays)
Closed on Mondays
Entrance free except for special events (Separate room)
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento,Adventures in Bento Making, American Bent, Beanbento, Bento No, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box,
Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Cooking Cute, Timeless Gourmet, Bento Bug, Ideal Meal, Bentosaurus, Mr. Foodie (London/UK), Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in kanzai by Nevitt Reagan!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery