Tiffany CondeJust when we thought we’d never get to see a life-size Gundam in person, the Gundam Factory Yokohama has given us a date to mark our calendars. Starting 19 Dec 2020, the entertainment complex in Yamashita Pier will be ready to welcome visitors on its premises. Could this be our signal to start binge-watching old episodes of Gundam Wing again?
Had everything gone according to plan this year, this Gundam-themed attraction would have been open to the public as early as 1 Oct 2020. However, the target date had to be pushed back to protect the safety of employees and fans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image credit: Gundam Official Website
As part of the celebrations for the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise’s 40th anniversary, the main attraction of the Gundam Factory Yokohama is getting ready to blow all our expectations away. We’re talking about the full-scale replica of a Gundam robot, of course!
Standing at over 18m tall, the Gundam statue was recently spotted in several video clips on social media. Right now, the giant statue is undergoing a technical run-through before it opens to visitors. Check out the mind-blowing footage of its movements below.
実物大ガンダムを動かすプロジェクト
「ガンダム GLOBAL CHALLENGE」
・2歩踏み出す
・しゃがんで立膝
・立ち上がる
・右手を突き上げ、人差し指
・しゃがんで立膝
・バックステップでドックへ戻る
・手首の回転の指の可動
以前と違い、今回は爪先の動作まで確認できる位置より（速度加工済み）#GFY pic.twitter.com/JgwGILe2d5— よっくん (@yoshi115t) September 21, 2020
Besides this colossal Gundam statue, you can also check out special facilities and exhibitions at the Gundam Factory Yokohama. There, you can learn about the mechanics of the robot and even get your hands on rare Gundam merchandise!
How to book tickets at the Gundam Factory Yokohama
Image credit: Gundam Official Website
Gundam Yokohama Factory will accept online reservations starting 2 Oct 2020. Tickets start at ¥1,100 (S$14.23) for children from ages seven to 13, and ¥1,350 (S$17.47) for visitors who are over 13 years old. For ¥3,300 (S$42.70), you can also head up to a special viewing deck called the Gundam-Dock Tower, where you get an up-close and personal look at the Gundam statue while it moves. How awesome is that?
But if you belong to a country that isn’t allowed to visit Japan right now, don’t throw away your travel plans just yet. Luckily for most of us, the Gundam Factory Yokohama will be sticking around until 31 Mar 2022. That means there’s still plenty of time to plan a visit to the Gundam Factory Yokohama after its opening date this winter.
Also read: A Japan Guide: The Ultimate Must-Visit List for Gamers & Anime Fans!
This is definitely an attraction we’d like to tick off our Japan bucket lists. Mecha fans, will you be visiting this Gundam statue once the pandemic blows over?
Visit the official websites of Gundam and Gundam Factory Yokohama for more information.
