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Shizuoka Plamodel Pilgrimage 2026: Tamiya HQ & the New Gundam/Gunpla Factory Museum
For serious scale modelers and Gunpla enthusiasts, Shizuoka Prefecture is nothing short of hallowed ground. As the manufacturing hub responsible for the vast majority of Japan's plastic model kits, Shizuoka City is the undisputed world capital of the hobby. While many fans visit Japan and shop for kits in Tokyo's Akihabara, a true "plamodel pilgrimage" requires a day trip down the Pacific coast to where the magic actually happens.
In 2026, this pilgrimage has leveled up. Alongside the classic, revered Tamiya Head Office, Bandai has recently opened the BHC PDII MUSEUM (Bandai Hobby Center Plamo Design Industrial Institute Museum)—a state-of-the-art facility located right inside their actual Gunpla factory. Doing both in a single day trip from Tokyo is the ultimate modeler's dream, but it requires precise planning, advance reservations, and a very specific window of the week.
Here is your comprehensive guide to tackling both legendary facilities in one perfect day.
The Golden Rule: The Tuesday–Friday Window
Before you book any train tickets, you must understand the most critical logistical insight of this trip: You can only visit both facilities on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Here is why:
- BHC PDII MUSEUM is closed on Sundays, Mondays, public holidays, and during the New Year period.
- Tamiya Head Office is strictly open on weekdays only, closing on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Because of these overlapping closures, weekends and Mondays are entirely off the table for a double-header. Plan your Shizuoka day trip for mid-week to ensure both doors are open to you.
Destination 1: BHC PDII MUSEUM (Bandai Hobby Center)
Opened on September 2, 2025, the BHC PDII MUSEUM is the newest crown jewel for mecha fans. Located inside the Bandai Hobby Center—the actual factory where the world's Gunpla kits are manufactured—this is a rare chance to step inside the beating heart of the hobby.
The Experience The visit is a structured, 90-minute immersive experience. It begins with a fascinating factory tour where visitors can peer through glass viewing sections to watch the massive, multi-color injection-molding machines at work. You will even see the automated ceiling transport carts whizzing overhead, ferrying freshly minted runners across the production floor. The second half of the tour is the interactive "plamo designer experience," which allows visitors to step into the shoes of a Bandai developer and design their very own Gunpla box art to take home as a completely unique souvenir.
The New Gundam Base Annex & Exclusives If you are visiting in late 2026, you are in for a treat. On September 2, 2026, celebrating the museum's first anniversary, "THE GUNDAM BASE ANNEX in BHCPDII MUSEUM" officially opened inside the facility. To mark the occasion, Bandai launched a limited-time campaign offering free museum admission for children aged 12 and under. (Note: Because this is a time-limited campaign, please confirm its current status on the official ticketing website before booking.)
The Annex also brings highly sought-after facility-exclusive merchandise. Local news recently highlighted a spectacular limited-color kit, the "Shin Musha Gundam" (True Warrior Gundam, an SD/Musha variant), as a prime example of the exclusive treasures collectors hunt for here. Stock and specific exclusive items rotate, so always check officially or on-site to see what limited kits are currently available.
Essential Details
- Address: 500-15 Naganuma, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City.
- Hours: 9:00–17:30.
- Admission: Adults (13+) ¥2,860; Children ¥1,100; Preschool children enter free.
- Reservation: Fully reservation-based. You absolutely must book your tickets online in advance; walk-ins are not accepted.
- Access: A 3-minute walk from Naganuma Station (Shizuoka Railway) or an 8-minute walk from JR Higashi-Shizuoka Station.
Destination 2: Tamiya Head Office History Museum & Showroom
While Bandai commands the sci-fi and mecha world, Tamiya—the brand with the iconic twin-star logo—is royalty in the realm of scale models, RC cars, and Mini 4WD. A visit to their global headquarters in Shizuoka City is a deeply nostalgic journey through the history of the hobby.
The Experience Visitors with reservations are granted access to the "Rekishikan" (History Museum) and the sprawling Showroom. Here, you can trace decades of modeling perfection, viewing beautifully finished displays of historic tanks, cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and ships, alongside legendary RC models and the Mini 4WD kits that defined many childhoods.
After soaking in the history, you can stop by the on-site Tamiya Shop. Unlike the museum, the retail shop does not require a reservation, meaning you can freely browse and purchase kits, specialized tools, and Tamiya-branded apparel. (Note: Do not confuse this headquarters location with the "TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO," which is a separate flagship retail store located in Tokyo.)
Essential Details
- Address: 3-7 Ondahara, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City.
- Hours: Weekdays only, 9:00–16:30.
- Admission: Free, but reservation required.
- Reservation Rules: You must apply at least two business days before your desired visit date, and you can book up to one month in advance. Bookings are strictly limited to groups of five people or fewer (no large tour groups or travel agency bookings are permitted).
- Access: The headquarters is best reached via a short taxi or bus ride from JR Shizuoka Station. Because local bus schedules can fluctuate, we highly recommend checking a live transit app (like Google Maps or Navitime) on the day of your visit for the most accurate routes and departure times.
Suggested Day Itinerary from Tokyo
To make the most of your mid-week pilgrimage, here is a highly efficient, stress-free itinerary:
- 08:30 AM – Depart Tokyo: Board the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. You must take either a Kodama or Hikari train, as the ultra-fast Nozomi trains do not stop at Shizuoka Station. The journey takes just under an hour.
- 09:30 AM – Arrive in Shizuoka: Exit JR Shizuoka Station and take a short taxi or local bus to the Tamiya Head Office.
- 10:00 AM – Tamiya HQ: Explore the History Museum, marvel at the classic box art and finished scale models, and pick up some tools or merchandise at the Tamiya Shop.
- 12:00 PM – Lunch: Head back toward JR Shizuoka Station. Grab a bite to eat—perhaps some local Shizuoka seafood or famous sawayaka hamburger steak—around the station area.
- 01:30 PM – Transit to BHC: Take the JR Tokaido Line one stop from JR Shizuoka Station to JR Higashi-Shizuoka Station. From there, it is a pleasant 8-minute walk to the Bandai Hobby Center.
- 02:00 PM – BHC PDII MUSEUM: Check in for your pre-booked afternoon slot. Enjoy the 90-minute factory tour, design your custom box art, and shop for exclusive kits at the new Gundam Base Annex.
- 04:30 PM – Head Home: Walk back to the station and catch a Kodama or Hikari Shinkansen back to Tokyo, arriving in time for dinner with your newly acquired kits in hand.
Facility Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | BHC PDII MUSEUM (Bandai) | Tamiya Head Office |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Gunpla, Mecha, Injection Molding | Scale Models, RC, Mini 4WD |
| Operating Hours | 9:00–17:30 | 9:00–16:30 |
| Open Days | Tue–Sat (Closed Sun, Mon, Holidays) | Mon–Fri (Closed Weekends, Holidays) |
| Admission | Adults ¥2,860 / Children ¥1,100 | Free |
| Reservation | Required (Book online in advance) | Required (Book 2 biz days prior; max 5 pax) |
| Core Experience | 90-min factory tour & box-art design | Self-guided History Museum & Showroom |
| On-Site Shop | The Gundam Base Annex | Tamiya Shop (No reservation needed for shop) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I just show up to either facility without a reservation? No. Both the BHC PDII MUSEUM and the Tamiya History Museum strictly require advance reservations. Walk-ins for the museum sections will be turned away. (However, the Tamiya Shop at the Tamiya HQ does allow walk-ins without a booking).
Can I use the JR Pass on the Shinkansen to Shizuoka? Yes, the national Japan Rail Pass covers the Tokaido Shinkansen, but remember that the pass is only valid on Kodama and Hikari trains. Nozomi trains are not fully covered by the base pass and, crucially, do not stop at Shizuoka Station anyway.
Will I be able to buy the Shin Musha Gundam or other exclusives? Facility-exclusive items like the Shin Musha Gundam are highly popular and subject to stock availability. Because production runs and inventory change frequently, you should treat these as exciting potential bonuses rather than guarantees. Always check the official website or inquire on-site for the day's available exclusive merchandise.
Is the Tamiya Shop here the same as the one in Tokyo? No. The "TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO" is a massive flagship retail store in the capital. The Tamiya Shop in Shizuoka is the localized retail counter at their global headquarters. While both sell kits and tools, visiting the Shizuoka shop carries the special prestige of buying directly from the source.