In the bustling district of Odaiba, Tokyo, where attractions abound, one captivating spectacle for tourists is the life-size Gundam. Reflecting Japan’s anime culture, Gundam is among the diverse characters brought to life. While life-size Gundam installations can be found in various Japanese locations, including Yokohama with its slightly moving Gundam, Odaiba has been home to Gundam for quite some time, with periodic model updates. Though it doesn’t display dynamic movements, the sheer scale of the Gundam model is awe-inspiring.
Finding the Gundam Behind DiverCity:
The life-size Gundam in Odaiba is tucked away behind the DiverCity building in a garden. To locate it, one needs to move away from the main roads, making it a bit challenging to find in the less crowded area.
Encountering the Gundam in Person:
Stumbling upon the Gundam and facing it in person evokes a sense of overwhelming magnitude. Despite not having seen the Gundam character in anime, its fame made encountering this character, significantly larger than a person, quite impactful. While witnessing the rise of “K-contents” in South Korea and its global expansion, there’s a sense of envy for Japan’s unparalleled presence in the field of animation, even if the country doesn’t dominate in other aspects presently.
Live Gundam Show:
The experience extends beyond merely viewing the life-size Gundam. Visitors can catch a Gundam show scheduled daily from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, with performances every 30 minutes, presenting three different stories. Even without prior knowledge of the show’s content (as it is in Japanese), stumbling upon these scenes unexpectedly adds an intriguing element to the visit.
Adjacent Gundam Cafe and Souvenir Shop:
Next to the Gundam, there’s a small Gundam cafe and a souvenir shop. While I visited too late for the cafe, the shop still offered Gundam-related memorabilia.
Gundam Base in DiverCity:
For those interested in purchasing Gundam memorabilia, visiting the “Gundam Base” on the 10th floor of the DiverCity building behind the Gundam is a must. This sizable Gundam figure shop features various Gundam models and exhibits, making it a haven for Gundam enthusiasts.
Odaiba Life-Size Gundam Information:
- Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
- Phone: +81 3-6380-7800
- Gundam Show Times: (Regular Shows) 12:00 / 15:00 / 17:00 / 20:00 / 21:00, (Special Shows) 19:30 / 20:30 / 21:30