Shizuoka Hobby Show 2027 – Japan

What to expect

Overview of the event: Shizuoka Hobby Show is Japan’s most influential and long-running hobby and scale-model exhibition, widely regarded as one of the most important events in the global modeling industry. This model and toy trade fair is held in Shizuoka City every May and features plastic models, radio-controlled toys, model trains, and more. It is the largest model hobby event in the country, gathering together the latest products and promotional items, including new products that have not yet been released.

The show serves as a key platform for manufacturers, distributors, media, and hobbyists. Major Japanese brands such as Tamiya, Aoshima, Hasegawa, Bandai, and many others traditionally use the event to announce new kits, technologies, and hobby products. Shizuoka City is known as the plastic model capital of the world, because many model manufacturers have factories in the region.

Scale and atmosphere: The event draws members of the industry and fans alike, thousands of them from all over Japan and the world. Unlike a lot of big indoor events, admission is completely free, though advance registration is required for entry in recent editions. While making your way through the crowds at Shizuoka’s Twin Messe can be tough, it is well worth it, because you are guaranteed to see some awesome stuff.

Visitors can directly ask questions of staff members from the manufacturers, and some of the items are available for purchase. At each exhibition corner, the line between pro and hobbyist blurs completely, as professional prototypes sit alongside highly detailed amateur builds. The show is considered Japan’s premier model kit event, where tens of thousands of fans gather for manufacturer reveals, hands-on demos, and a massive amateur modelers’ exhibition.

Event dates

Main edition: May 2027 (Dates TBD), Shizuoka Hobby Show 2027 at Twin Messe Shizuoka.

Format: The show typically includes two trade days for buyers and trade professionals, a students’ day for children at elementary, junior high and high schools in Shizuoka Prefecture, and two public days during which members of the general public can enter for free.

Schedule structure: Public days generally operate from morning to late afternoon, with trade days operating on a similar schedule but restricted to industry badge holders. Students’ day includes hands-on activities such as model assembly workshops and RC car operation.

Official announcement: Exact opening hours and registration opening will be published on the official website https://hobby-shizuoka.com/english/index.html closer to the season.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

Venue identity: Twin Messe Shizuoka is the official venue, located at 3-1-10 Magarikane, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City. The venue is a popular event venue that hosts various events including the annual Japan Reptiles Show and the Shizuoka Hobby Show. The venue is well-organized, with easy access from Tomei expressway and is considered a holy shrine to plastic perfection.

The main exhibition halls, the North Hall and South Hall, are already fully used, and additional spaces are utilized when needed. Nearly every major model brand in Japan sets up here, from the ever-iconic Tamiya headquartered in Shizuoka to Bandai, Aoshima, Hasegawa, and many others. The facility consists of North Hall, South Hall, West Hall, and outdoor areas, allowing for a comprehensive layout.

Exhibition site layout: The site includes the manufacturer exhibition area in the North and South Halls, the Modelers’ Club Exhibition venue in South Hall, West Hall second floor, North Hall third floor, and North Hall fourth floor reception hall. Additional features include a Self-Defense Forces Corner in front of the West Hall and an RC Car Festival at Shizuoka City South Gymnasium.

Facilities: Twin Messe Shizuoka offers indoor exhibition space with high ceilings, freight handling, and ample power supply for display lighting. The complex includes parking lots, restaurant corners, and information desks. The venue operates with barrier-free access, elevators, and accessible restrooms throughout.

Full exhibition programme

Manufacturer showcase: The full exhibition programme is centered on manufacturer reveals of upcoming plastic model kits, radio-controlled models, model railways, figures, tools, paints, and accessories. The Hobby Show is an annual event where model manufacturers and others showcase new products, with many companies exhibiting more than one hundred new items.

Trade and public phases: The programme includes trade days where distributors and retailers can place orders and discuss upcoming releases with manufacturers. Public days feature extensive displays of new products that have not yet been released, with staff available to explain features, assembly techniques, and painting methods.

Hands-on programme: Hands-on events include model assembly workshops for students, RC car operation experiences, and tool demonstration corners. These activities foster creativity and interest in hobbies among younger participants.

Special exhibitions: The programme includes themed exhibitions such as anniversary displays for popular model lines, collaboration corners with military and automotive partners, and displays of large dioramas that showcase advanced modeling techniques.

Featured artists & designers

Leading manufacturers: Featured designers include development teams from Tamiya, Bandai Spirits, Aoshima, Hasegawa, Kotobukiya, and other major Japanese hobby companies. These teams present new molds, color separation technology, and snap-fit engineering that defines modern model kits.

Modelers’ Club artists: The Modelers’ Club Exhibition features amateur and semi-professional modelers from across Japan and overseas. These artists present highly detailed custom builds, dioramas, and scratch-built models that often rival professional prototypes.

Guest creators: The event often invites special guests such as mecha designers, military vehicle researchers, and popular model magazine editors who conduct live commentary on new releases.

RC and railway specialists: Featured experts in radio-controlled car racing, drone piloting, and model railway layout design demonstrate advanced control systems and layout planning.

Galleries & exhibitors

Manufacturer galleries: Exhibitors include approximately one hundred companies from across Japan, covering plastic model kits, RC models, die-cast vehicles, model trains, airsoft replicas, and hobby tools. Each manufacturer operates its own booth with new product displays, promotional videos, and staff for Q and A.

Retail and distributor galleries: Distributors and specialty shops set up corners where visitors can purchase limited items, event-exclusive decals, and early-release kits. Some items are available for purchase directly at exhibition corners.

Club galleries: The Modelers’ Club Exhibition is a massive amateur modelers’ exhibition where hundreds of modeling clubs display their works. This area is often considered the heart of the event, where the line between professional and hobbyist blurs completely.

Support galleries: Tool makers, paint manufacturers, and airbrush suppliers exhibit their latest products, including cutting mats, nippers, sanding tools, and environmentally friendly paints.

Exhibition halls & sections

North Hall: Primary location for major manufacturers such as Tamiya and Bandai Spirits. This hall features large booths with multi-level displays, stage areas for presentations, and extensive lighting to highlight model details.

South Hall: Houses additional manufacturer booths and the Modelers’ Club Exhibition main area. The South Hall also hosts the Self-Defense Forces Corner where real vehicles are displayed alongside scale models.

West Hall and upper floors: West Hall second floor, North Hall third floor, and North Hall fourth floor reception hall are used for club exhibitions, allowing visitors to explore a wide variety of genres from aircraft and armor to ships, cars, and science fiction mecha.

Outdoor and auxiliary sections: In front of the West Hall, outdoor displays include full-scale vehicle exhibits and RC demonstration tracks. Shizuoka City South Gym is used for the RC Car Festival, where visitors can watch races and test drive models.

Talks, workshops & special events

Manufacturer presentations: Throughout the public days, manufacturers hold short presentations on stage introducing new kits, explaining design philosophy, and revealing release schedules. These talks are often accompanied by prototype displays and designer interviews.

Workshops for students: On students’ day, hands-on workshops include model assembly classes where children learn to cut parts from sprues, apply decals, and paint with safe water-based paints. RC car operation workshops allow students to drive models on small circuits.

Special events: Special events include the RC Car Festival at Shizuoka City South Gym, where professional drivers demonstrate drifting and off-road performance. The Self-Defense Forces Corner features Q and A with service members about vehicle maintenance and modeling accuracy.

Club demonstrations: Modelers’ Club members conduct live building demonstrations, showing techniques such as airbrushing, weathering, and diorama base creation. Visitors can ask detailed questions about tool usage and paint mixing.

Media coverage: Hobby magazines and online media conduct live streaming and interviews from the venue, providing coverage for international audiences who cannot attend in person.

Ticket types

Admission policy: Admission is free, with advance registration required for entry in recent editions. The free admission policy is a defining feature that distinguishes Shizuoka Hobby Show from many other large indoor events.

Trade badges: Trade days require industry badges issued to buyers, distributors, and media. Registration for trade access opens via the official website and requires company verification.

Public registration: Public days require advance registration through the official website. Registration opens about a month before the show. Visitors receive a QR code for entry that is scanned at the gate.

Student access: Students’ day is reserved for children at elementary, junior high and high schools in Shizuoka Prefecture, with schools registering groups in advance. Hands-on activities are included at no extra cost.

International visitors: International guests are welcomed without pre-registration in some recent editions, with English information available at the entrance.

VIP & collector access

Industry access: Trade days serve as VIP access for industry professionals, allowing first looks at upcoming products before public reveal. This includes early access to order sheets and promotional materials.

Collector opportunities: While most new products are display-only, some exhibitors sell event-exclusive items, limited color variants, and early-release kits. Collectors often queue early to secure these items, which can become highly sought after.

Club premium areas: Modelers’ Club Exhibition includes competition areas where outstanding works receive awards. Award-winning modelers gain recognition that can lead to magazine features and collaboration offers.

Shuttle bus premium: A shuttle bus is available to visit the hobby show venue and the Tamiya head office, as well as other manufacturer showrooms in Shizuoka City. This shuttle provides convenient access for collectors wanting to visit multiple sites.

Media and press access: Press badges allow access to photography areas and interview spaces with manufacturer representatives, useful for content creators and magazine editors.

Event rules

Registration requirement: Advance registration is required for admission. Visitors must present their registration QR code or badge at entry gates. Trade badges are non-transferable and require identification.

Photography rules: Photography is generally allowed in manufacturer areas, but flash photography may be prohibited near delicate displays. Some prototypes may have no-photography restrictions indicated by signage.

Purchasing rules: Some items are available for purchase, but many new products are for display only. Purchasing queues are managed by staff, and resale for commercial purposes may be prohibited.

Conduct and safety: No running inside halls, no blocking aisles with large baggage, and no touching of display models unless permitted. Children must be accompanied by guardians. Follow staff instructions for crowd management.

Outdoor rules: For outdoor areas such as the Self-Defense Forces Corner and RC tracks, stay behind safety barriers and follow instructions from staff. Drone flying is prohibited inside the venue.

How to get there

Address: Twin Messe Shizuoka, 3-1-10 Magarikane, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The venue is located near the Tomei Shizuoka Interchange and is accessible via major roads.

By train: From JR Higashi-Shizuoka Station, the venue is about 5 minutes by taxi from the station south exit, or about 20 minutes on foot. From JR Shizuoka Station, take a bus toward Twin Messe or use a taxi for approximately 15 minutes.

By car: From Tomei Shizuoka Inter via South South Road known as SBS Street, about 15 minutes by car. From Shin-Tomei Shizuoka Inter, similar access via bypass roads. Parking is available at Twin Messe with fees that may apply during large events.

Shuttle bus: A shuttle bus is available to visit the hobby show venue and the Tamiya head office and other manufacturer showrooms. The shuttle connects major stations and manufacturer locations, reducing the need for multiple taxi rides.

From Tokyo: Take Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shizuoka, then transfer to local transport. The Shinkansen journey takes about one hour, followed by short taxi or bus transfer to the venue.

Public transport & parking

Public transport recommended: Public transport is recommended due to heavy traffic around Twin Messe during the event. Buses from Shizuoka Station and Higashi-Shizuoka Station run at increased frequency during public days.

Parking: Twin Messe Shizuoka has outdoor parking lots with capacity for several hundred vehicles. During the hobby show, parking can become full early in the morning, so early arrival is advised. Parking fees are generally free or low-cost for event visitors, but check official website for current policy.

Shuttle and local buses: Local buses connect the venue to Shizuoka Station, Higashi-Shizuoka Station, and nearby hotels. The shuttle bus to Tamiya headquarters and other hobby facilities operates on a loop during public days.

Accessibility of transport: Buses and taxis have accessible options, but pre-booking is recommended for wheelchair users. The venue itself is well-organized with easy access from Tomei expressway.

Traffic management: Traffic around the venue is managed by staff and local police during public days. Follow signage for event parking and avoid parking in nearby residential areas.

Accommodation areas

Shizuoka Station area: Business hotels and city hotels within walking distance of JR Shizuoka Station, offering convenient access to buses and shinkansen. Options include traditional business hotels and international chains.

Higashi-Shizuoka area: Hotels near Higashi-Shizuoka Station provide closer proximity to Twin Messe, with some offering shuttle services to the venue during event periods.

Suruga Ward: Hotels and ryokan in Suruga Ward offer quieter surroundings and easy car access to Twin Messe, suitable for visitors driving from other regions.

Shimizu and coastal area: For visitors combining the hobby show with sightseeing, Shimizu offers hotels near the port and views of Mt. Fuji, with about 20 minutes drive to Twin Messe.

Booking advice: Book early, as Shizuoka City hotels fill quickly during hobby show public days, especially those near the venue. Many model fans book months in advance and stay for multiple days to visit manufacturer showrooms.

Food & refreshments

Inside Twin Messe: The venue includes food corners and kiosks selling bento, snacks, and drinks during public days. Vending machines are available throughout the halls.

Nearby dining: Suruga Ward offers family restaurants, ramen shops, and cafes within short drive from Twin Messe. Shizuoka Station area has extensive dining options including local specialties such as Shizuoka oden and green tea sweets.

Manufacturer hospitality: Some manufacturer booths provide complimentary drinks or snacks for trade visitors during business days, but public days focus on exhibition rather than catering.

Picnic areas: Outdoor benches near the West Hall provide space for quick meals, though eating inside exhibition halls may be restricted to designated areas.

Local specialties: Visitors are encouraged to try Shizuoka’s famous green tea, wasabi products, and seafood, which are available at souvenir shops inside Twin Messe and at nearby shopping centers.

Accessibility

Barrier-free venue: Twin Messe Shizuoka is a popular venue that is well-organized and offers barrier-free access with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms on each floor. The venue has easy access from Tomei expressway and is designed for large public events.

Wheelchair access: Exhibition halls are flat and suitable for wheelchairs, though aisles can become crowded during peak hours. Staff can assist with navigation and provide maps indicating accessible routes and elevators.

Parking for disabilities: Reserved parking spaces prioritizing individuals with disabilities are available in outdoor lots near the main entrance. Early arrival is recommended to secure these spaces.

Support services: General information counters provide maps and assistance for visitors with disabilities. First aid stations are located in both North and South Halls.

Crowd considerations: Public days can be crowded, especially late morning. Visitors needing extra space are advised to enter early or later in the afternoon when crowds thin slightly.

Must-see exhibitions

Tamiya booth: As the company headquartered in Shizuoka, Tamiya traditionally presents its most extensive display, including new RC models, scale armor, aircraft, and Mini 4WD. Live demonstrations of RC performance are a highlight.

Bandai Spirits Gunpla: Bandai Spirits showcases new Gunpla releases, often including large-scale prototypes, new grade announcements, and collaboration models that draw long queues.

Modelers’ Club Exhibition: The massive amateur exhibition is a must-see, featuring dioramas that depict historical battles, fantasy worlds, and intricate cityscapes. The level of detail often rivals professional work.

Aoshima and Hasegawa: These manufacturers present new car, ship, and aircraft models with advanced tooling and color separation, appealing to automotive and aviation enthusiasts.

RC and railway zones: The RC Car Festival and model train displays offer dynamic demonstrations that contrast with static model displays, providing entertainment for families and children.

Previous year’s highlights

Scale and participation: The previous edition featured about one hundred companies from across Japan exhibiting, making it one of the most comprehensive hobby events in recent years. The show drew thousands of industry members and public visitors.

New product reveals: Highlights included fully 3D models of popular mecha, new Gunpla lineups for major anime franchises, and innovative RC models with improved battery technology and control systems.

Free admission tradition: Admission remained free, maintaining the event’s reputation as an accessible celebration of hobby culture. Advance registration helped manage crowd flow and ensure safety.

Club achievements: The Modelers’ Club Exhibition showcased award-winning builds that received coverage in national hobby magazines, with some clubs presenting collaborative mega-dioramas spanning multiple tables.

Community engagement: Students’ day provided hands-on experiences for local schoolchildren, fostering interest in model building and engineering, while trade days facilitated business deals between manufacturers and distributors.

Official tickets

Official website: https://hobby-shizuoka.com/english/index.html is the official source for registration, venue information, and exhibitor lists. The English site provides essential information for international visitors.

Registration: Free admission with advance registration required. Registration opens about a month before the event via the official website. Visitors receive a QR code for entry that must be presented at the gate.

Trade registration: Trade days require separate registration with company details. Approval is required for industry badges, and pre-registration is essential for access to business areas.

Student registration: Schools in Shizuoka Prefecture register groups for students’ day via the official website, with hands-on workshop slots allocated on a first-come basis.

On-site procedures: On public days, entry gates open in the morning, with staff scanning registration codes. Re-entry is generally allowed with wristband or stamp, but check current policy at information desks.

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