New York City has the Statue of Liberty. France has the Eiffel Tower. Japan has… well an 18-meter life-size moving Gundam in Yokohama.
The Gundam legacy
Photo: comicbook.com
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Gundam series first aired in 1979. Since then, it has had a huge impact on Japanese culture.
The series’ sword-fighting mecha robots are the inspiration to a lot of Western TV series and movies as well. This includes Pacific Rim, Real Steel, Transformers, Voltron, and more.
Did Japan really make a Gundam?
Evolving G has partnered with Yokohama City to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mobile Suit Gundam. And because Japan is known for going big—literally—when it comes to cultural attractions, a one-day celebration was not enough.
Instead, we have the Gundam Factory Yokohama! It is now home to the towering 59-foot life-size Gundam.
The enormous robot, designed by Masaki Kawahara, weighs about 25 tons and is surrounded by a mobile scaffold.
After six years of construction, the 59-foot RX-78-2 unit was officially unveiled on December 19, 2020. Public viewing is open until March 31, 2022.
Can the Gundam in Yokohama walk?
Yes, the colossal Gundam in Yokohama walks and moves with 24 degrees of motion. This makes it the most advanced full-sized Gundam ever built. Its movements include walking forward, right hand pointing to the sky, and one leg kneeling.
Is the Gundam in Yokohama real?
If you’re wondering whether it’s a real fighting Gundam—the answer is no.
This RX-78-2 unit is supported at the rear with all manner of hydraulics and other equipment. In short, it does not really walk on its own.
Gundam Factory Yokohama
Photo: akibagamers.it
The Gundam statue is stored in a dock. You can see it in the surrounding area or witness it up close in the dock tower itself.
There is also a café and the Gundam-Lab exhibition facility where you can experience what it’s like sitting inside the cockpit of the 25-ton mobile suit in a virtual reality dome. You can also buy model kits and limited-edition merchandise in the gift shop.
If you’re planning to visit, you’ll need to buy two tickets. One for the event space itself and the other for the dock. Be sure you make it to the event spaces within the time period indicated on your ticket!
How much did Yokohama Gundam cost?
To skip the line, reserve your tickets online.
Entrance ticket:
Adult (13 years old and over) – ¥1,650
Children (7 to 12 years old) – ¥1,100
Children (Under 6 years old) – Free
Dock tower viewing ticket:
Adult/Child (7 years old and over) – ¥3,300
Children (Under 6 years old) – Free
Schedule:
Monday-Friday: 11:00 to 20:00 (Last admission at 19:00)
Saturday, Sunday/Holiday: 10:00 to 20:00 (Last admission at 19:00)
Where is the moving Gundam located?
Gundam Factory Yokohama is located at Yamashita Pier in Yokohama, Japan.
In case you missed it, you may want to check out the Attack on Titan X Charaum Cafe—open only until August 1st!
