Sad to say, in 2026 the giant Gundam in Yokohama is no more.
One thing that Ken greatly anticipated during this trip was to visit the Gundam Factory in Yokohama. While it wasn't a stone's throw away from Tokyo, getting there wasn't much of a hassle either. We hopped on a train from Shinjuku going to Yokohama, which was roughly an hour train ride.
From the nearest train station, we probably walked around a kilometer to the Gundam Factory. I remember it was placed near the port or water area. On the way we passed by a park, and quaint boutiques with European aesthetics.
We did not pay extra to go to the observation deck, because: 1. It's expensive, 2. It's so hot, and as you can see it doesn't have any shed, 3. I couldn't remember if there was an elevator to take you to the upper levels, so no, I don't have the energy to go several flights of stairs and to see Gundam's head. and 4. It's expensive!
Regardless of whether you pay for the regular or the special ticket, everyone gets a small Gundam set that you can build- I haven't built mine yet lol! I might do it this coming Holy Week holiday or build other Legos haha!
Similar to the life-size Gundam Unicorn in Odaiba, it also moves, but unlike in Odaiba this one kneels! I feel that Japan only wants the rest of the world to think that they are doing this as a "hobby" or an attraction ONLY to dissuade everyone from believing that they have military ready mechs... lol conspiracy theory, anyone?
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| The happy boi |
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| The prices are not bad. |
What is a Gundam Factory without a store?! Ken had so much fun shopping, that he ended up hand carrying his loot in the airport hahaha! It was amusing seeing fellow Filipinos flying out of Japan also lugging around a huge white Gundam plastic bag!
The store had a lot of limited edition toys and merch, I supposed now they are pretty rare considering this place no longer exists... What if I sell the Gundam sets Ken bought here? If I do that, that might be a ground for our annulment hahaha!
The food was dismal. It was dry, under-seasoned, and the servings was small for its price. No need for me to tell you not to eat here, because this place no longer exists lol!
Aside from the huge Gundam, the store, and the restaurant, there's also a museum-type area where they exhibit some Japanese innovations in Robotics and a little bit about cars. I just forgot which car brand sponsored that area, but that part was also cool 💗
Aaaaaand that's it! Hopefully they bring back the Gundam Factory again, but until then people can still visit the one in Odaiba and the huge Gundam Base in Diver City Mall.
Love always,
Nicole
