Geek It! Otaku Out and About: Gundam Factory in Yokohama, Japan

So we’ve been to the former Gundam Cafe in Akihabara and we’ve also visited the infamous 1:1 Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba’s DiverCity. At the time, we thought these experiences fulfilled our Gundam otaku experience. But boy, were we wrong. Japan is always brainstorming new ways to lure anime fans back its shores, and this time, they totally exceeded our expectations. Next stop…. GUNDAM FACTORY in YOKOHAMA.

Here is an insight into CtrlGeekPod’s Gundam Factory experience!

For those who may or may not have visited Yokohama before, Yokohama is a beautiful city with modern architecture and a harbour that looks towards the sea. As you walk along the harbour, you can see a glimpse of the one and only Gundam standing in the far distance.

If you were just a casual tourist milling around Yokohama, you’re probably wondering what kind of shenanigan Japan was harbouring. But for us otakus, the fact that a giant Gundam statue stands like a beacon of hope, honour and pride, was pretty exhilarating.

Located on Yokohama’s Yamashita Pier, the GUNDAM FACTORY is an entertainment complex that offers a one-in-a-million Gundam experience. As a 40th anniversary tribute to the premiere of the first Gundam series, the exhibition’s primary feature is the 18-metre tall Gundam that actually moves. Named ‘RX-78F00 Gundam’, it is the third statue constructed to a 1:1 scale in Japan, following the RX-78-2 (2009) and RX-0 (2017) constructed at Tokyo Gundam Base.

Every half an hour or so, the Gundam puts on various ‘performances’ from Startup Experiment to Standby Mode to Awakening Mode. Like, we thought the one in Odaiba was cool but THIS Gundam was on another level. The thrill of just watching the robot physically move right before our eyes gave us goosebumps. Only in Japan, huh?

Since it is not your everyday event to attend, we highly recommend you to purchase the extra ticket to access the Gundam Dock Tower. Here, you can take the lift to the 5th and 6th Level where you can check out the Gundam’s moving body from a close-up angle. From the Gundam’s clenching fists to the Gundam kneeling down on one knee, the movements are so realistic that you think it’s actually real.

Note: While you’re high up in the sky, enjoy the wonderful picturesque view of Yokohama!

When you’re not waiting around for the performances, you can enter the Academy building. Here, it shows you the history and development process of the Moving Gundam; its design; structure; and mechanisms via display panels and videos. In addition to this, you can also design and build your own Gundam model, and play around with various virtual stimulations.

When you’re done, you can grab some snacks from the Gundam food truck and purchase official merchandise from the souvennir shop. This includes original and exclusive Gunpla models, and goods in collaboration with Yokohama that you won’t find anywhere else.

Overall, the Gundam Factory in Yokohama is an incredible experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors of all ages. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Gundam franchise or just looking for a unique attraction to fulfil your Japan trip, the Gundam Factory is definitely worth checking out. You definitely don’t want to miss your chance of experiencing the thrill of watching the Gundam come to life!

Note: We highly recommend you to book your tickets at least one month beforehand! There are two separate tickets — Gundam Factory Admission fee and the Gundam-Dock Tower. For more information, head over to the website [here]

Have you been to the Gundam Factory in Yokohama? Share your experience with us in the comments!

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