SHIZUOKA CITY KANKO NAVI

　The box art on plastic model kits displayed in model shops. Even now, as an adult, I still find myself gazing at those magnificent illustrations—often referred to as “box art”—with a sense of excitement.

　Among the artists who created these illustrations were some who had been active as illustrators for boys’ magazines since before the war. After the war, plastic models became another arena for their work, and model shops turned into galleries for these artists, where captivated children would save up their pocket money and New Year’s gifts to buy them.

　As a child, I managed to finish a Zero fighter model, covered head to toe in glue. When I held it up, it looked just like the heroic figure soaring through the skies depicted on the box art.

　And no wonder. Japan’s proud model manufacturers have provided the world’s finest products to make children’s dreams come true. Global brands like Aoshima, Tamiya, Hasegawa, and Bandai are concentrated here in Shizuoka City and its surrounding areas.

　 “The World Capital of Model Kits.” That is the title given to Shizuoka City, the ancient capital of Suruga. Coming here has made me want to collect model kits all over again.

During the "Ōgosho" period of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Sunpu—which served as Japan’s de facto capital—attracted skilled artisans who vied with one another to showcase their craftsmanship. This is "Suruga Takasen-zukuri," a traditional craft of Suruga.

This is lacquerware. It is said that techniques such as "Suruga lacquerware" and "Suruga maki-e" have been practiced since the Imagawa period, which predates the time of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Fast forward to the present day. I’ve arrived at “Shizuoka Hobby Square,” located at the south exit of Shizuoka Station.

This is Aoshima’s “Hayabusa.” It’s the asteroid probe that moved the whole of Japan.

"Hikone Castle" by Woody Joe, a brand specializing in wooden models. It looks like a traditional craft piece in its own right.

Ebro's "Honda S800" die-cast model. While you could buy a real vintage car, this one is maintenance-free.

A Tamiya Ferrari. While a model is essentially a scaled-down version of the real thing, it seems that simply shrinking it down isn’t enough to make it look exactly like the real thing.

This is Hasegawa’s “Fokker Dr.I.” It’s a large 1/8 scale model, so intricately detailed that it could be displayed in a museum.

This is Bandai’s “Gundam model kit,” a life-size version of which was previously displayed in front of Higashi-Shizuoka Station. Model kit manufacturers like this one are concentrated in Shizuoka City.

Two major hobby exhibitions are held in Shizuoka City every year: the "Shizuoka Hobby Show" in May and the "Christmas Festa" in December.

Fans and industry professionals flock here from all over the country and around the world. After all, this is the “model capital of the world.”

I started wanting the Zero fighters and cars I used to dream about as a kid. But of course, I don’t want the real thing. I want models.

・Shizuoka: The Hobby Capital

・Shizuoka Hobby Square

・Shizuoka Hobby Show