Tiffany CondeUPDATE: Due to the spread of COVID-19 worldwide, the Gundam Factory Yokohama has cancelled its exclusive preview of the life-sized Gundam statue in Jul 2020. In addition, the grand opening of the Gundam Factory Yokohama complex in Oct 2020 has been postponed. These decisions were made to protect the safety of Gundam fans and employees during the pandemic. Details on the new schedule have yet to be announced, though the company is hoping to have the grand opening within 2020.
To get the latest updates on the Gundam Factory Yokohama, please refer to the official website here.
Image credit: Gundam
To celebrate Mobile Suit Gundam’s 40th anniversary, a life-sized Gundam statue will be greeting the public in Japan. And here’s the clincher: It moves.
Fans of the iconic anime series will see a full-scale Gundam robot in motion — and pretty soon, in fact! From Jul to Aug 2020, the 18-metre-tall Gundam will be revealed for a limited viewing at the Gundam Factory Yokohama, a 9,000-square metre entertainment complex located on the Yamashita Pier in Yokohama.
Image credit: Gundam
Before the Gundam Factory Yokohama welcomes visitors, there will be an early preview of the factory grounds. Participants with tickets have the opportunity to head straight up to an observatory deck at the Gundam-Dock Tower, where they can see how the Gundam moves with a close-up view — down from the robot’s legs all the way up to its face.
By Oct 2020, travellers will also be able to pay a visit to the Gundam-Lab, which houses shops, event spaces, conference rooms, and state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Here, it’s possible to learn about the design, structure, history, and technology behind the enormous Gundam.
There’s even going to be a café where guests can order Gundam-inspired dishes, as well as meals native to Yokohama. What that would look like, we can only imagine!
Also read: Best Anime and Manga Places to Visit in Tokyo
Image credit: Gundam
While the Gundam statue will be accessible on weekends from Jul to Aug 2020, the entire Gundam Factory Yokohama is set to officially open its doors to the public from 1 Oct 2020 to 3 Oct 2021. Tickets to the factory will be on sale in Jul 2020.
Needless to say, this presents yet another exciting reason to visit Japan this year! Stay tuned to our website for more updates!
For more information, visit the official websites of Gundam and Gundam Factory Yokohama.
