A gathering of nostalgic classic cars! 80’s Tamiya RC Off-Road Vintage Race ☆★

Tamiya’s ’80s off-road RC cars, beloved as children, were all here! Famous vehicles from the era compete in a heated vintage race. Rolling through the era, including the Hot Shot, Boomerang, and Avante, this video is a must-see for RC fans, bringing back memories of nostalgia and excitement!
Source: Paisen RC

Tamiya History Museum

Tracing Tamiya’s history through models

The Tamiya History Museum showcases Tamiya products, which have evolved with the times since the company’s founding in 1946.
In the summer of 2025, the museum renovated its exhibits from the company’s early days. The museum explores the transition from wood to plastic model materials through restored finished models, wooden models, and Styrofoam models, showcasing products from which only blueprints remained. Products symbolizing the company’s early days are also on display, including Tamiya’s first plastic model, the 1/800 Yamato, and the 1/35 Panther Tank, which laid the foundation for military model development. The museum also features valuable products that have defined the era, including early military miniatures and car models, which continue to this day, radio-controlled cars that sparked a boom upon their release, and Mini 4WD, which spread the appeal of palm-sized, moving models around the world as a racing hobby. Experience Tamiya’s journey as a global model manufacturer through trial and error .
Advance reservations are required to visit the museum. Apply for a reservation here.

: Some of the products that have been released since the company began as a model manufacturer in 1948 are on display, divided into categories. You can see the finished products along with their packaging.

: The exhibition will feature some of the valuable kits and finished products that have colored Tamiya’s history, including scale models of tanks, cars, motorcycles, airplanes, ships, radio-controlled models, and construction series.

: In addition to Mini 4WDs that represent each series, such as “Hot Shot Jr.” and “Dash 1 Emperor,” there are also products such as radio-controlled 4WDs, Dangun Racer, and the Fun Train series.

: Actual products are introduced with panels, from the start of the production and sale of wooden models to the Panther Tank, released in 1962, which became the foundation of today’s Tamiya.

: The exhibition has been expanded to include Tamiya’s first tank model (bottom left), and newspaper advertisements from that time are also displayed, showing the transition from wooden models to plastic models.

: On display is the Panther tank, which was released in January 1962 and was a huge success. This is where Tamiya’s history of plastic tank models, which continues to this day, began.

Tamiya’s history from its founding to the 1970s

May 1946: Tamiya Shoji Limited Partnership was established in Oshika, Shizuoka City, with the aim of processing and selling general building materials.
April 1948: Recognizing the promising future of wooden models, a woodworking department was established. A manufacturing and sales business for model teaching materials was also established.
June 1953: The general building materials manufacturing and sales department was dissolved. The company began operations as a manufacturer specializing in wooden models.
May 1960: The 1/800 scale Yamato battleship was released as the first all-plastic model assembly kit.
January 1962: The 1/35 scale Panther Tank, the first motorized plastic model tank, was released.
January 1968: Tamiya exhibited for the first time at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany. The 1/12 scale Honda F-1 exhibited, further enhancing Tamiya’s reputation for precision scale plastic models.
November 1976: The 1/12 scale Porsche 934 Turbo electric radio-controlled car was released.

Company history and background

May 1946	Tamiya Shoji Limited Partnership was established in Oshika, Shizuoka City, for the purpose of processing and selling general building materials.
April 1948	Recognizing the promising future of wooden models, the company established a woodworking department, which also began manufacturing and selling model teaching materials.
June 1953	The general building materials manufacturing and sales division was dissolved and the company started as a specialized manufacturer of wooden models.
May 1960	The first all-plastic model assembly kit, the 1/800 scale Battleship Yamato, was released.
January 1962	The first motorized plastic model tank, the 1/35 Panther Tank, is released.
December 1962	The plastic molding division was spun off and Tamiya Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. was established.
January 1967	The first issue of the model information magazine Tamiya News is published.
January 1968	Tamiya exhibits for the first time at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair (now Spielwarenmesse), one of the world’s largest toy fairs. The 1/12 scale Honda F-1 model enhances Tamiya’s reputation for precision scale plastic models.
August 1969	Tamiya Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. changes its name to Tamiya Model Co., Ltd., and strengthens its mold and molding divisions.
August 1973	Tamiya Shoji Co., Ltd. completed its head office and set factory at 628 Oshika, Shizuoka City, a four-story reinforced concrete building with a total floor area of 4,500 m².
November 1976	Founder and Chairman, the late Yoshio Tamiya, is awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class.
November 1976	1/12 scale electric radio control car Porsche 934 Turbo released.
May 1977	Shunsaku Tamiya is appointed President and Representative Director of Tamiya Model Co., Ltd.
November 1977	A three-story, 5,460m² distribution center is completed on the Tamiya Shoji (affiliated) site.
October 1978	Tamiya Circuit completed on land adjacent to Tamiya Shoji.
October 1978	Tamiya Plastics Co., Ltd. was established with the expansion of the plastic molding division.
May 1980	The first Tamiya Modellers Gallery exhibition, sponsored by Tamiya, was held at Tokyu Hands Shibuya in Tokyo.
December 1980	Tamiya Model Co., Ltd.’s new headquarters (main building) is completed at 3-7 Ondahara, Shizuoka City. It is a six-story building with a total floor area of 7,000 m².
July 1982	The Mini 4WD series, which would later become a huge hit, began with the Ford Ranger 4×4.
March 1984	As Tamiya Shoji Co., Ltd. expanded its business, Tamiya Co., Ltd. was established. Shunsaku Tamiya was appointed President and Representative Director. Tamiya Co., Ltd. took over all of Tamiya Shoji’s operations.
November 1985	Tamiya Plastics Co., Ltd. Ikeda Factory begins operation.
November 1988	Yoshio Tamiya, founder and chairman of the Tamiya Group, passes away at the age of 83.
April 1989	Construction of the second headquarters building (East Wing) was completed on the Tamiya Model Co., Ltd. headquarters premises, with 8 floors above ground and 1 basement floor, totaling 8,500 m².
May 1989	Tamiya America is established in Los Angeles as a local office to expand sales in the United States.
September 1989	Tamiya Europe GMBH is established in Neuss, Germany as a sales base in preparation for the integration of the European Community.
April 1990	Tamiya’s second distribution center is completed at 915 Oshika, Shizuoka City. It is a four-story building with a total floor area of 5,317 m².
July 1990	Tamiya Hall opens at the Bovington Tank Museum in the UK.
December 1990	The planning, development, and other operations of Tamiya Model Co., Ltd. are integrated into Tamiya Co., Ltd.
July 1992	Tamiya America’s headquarters building is completed in Aliso Viejo, Orange County, California.
December 1993	Tamiya Hong Kong is established.
September 1994	Tamiya Philippines is established in the Mactan Island Special Export Processing Zone, Cebu, Philippines.
June 1995	Following the wishes of the late Yoshio Tamiya, he established the Tamiya Scholarship Foundation.
December 1995	The Mini 4WD series reaches a cumulative production of 100 million units.
May 1996	The Tamiya R&D Center Kakegawa, a research and development facility, and the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit, one of the largest in the world with a site area of approximately 7,000m² and a course length of 320m, have opened in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
December 1996	Tamiya Europe GMBH moves to Fürth, Germany.
April 1997	A scholarship program has been launched in the Philippines for students enrolled at both the University of San Carlos and the University of the Philippines.
November 2000	The first Tamiya Fair was held at Twin Messe Shizuoka South Hall.
March 2005	Received the 1st Design Excellent Company Award from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.
June 2006	Tamiya Tokyo office opens in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
June 2007	Tamiya America moves from Aliso Viejo, California to Irvine, California.
June 2008	Senior Managing Director Masayuki Tamiya is appointed President and Representative Director of Tamiya Co., Ltd. President Shunsaku Tamiya becomes Chairman and Representative Director.
September 2008	The official Tamiya Plastic Model Factory Shimbashi store opens in Shimbashi, Tokyo. Tamiya’s Tokyo office is relocated to the same location.
October 2008	An off-road course for RC cars and a full-scale rock crawling field were constructed within the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit.
April 2012	Tamiya Scholarship Foundation transitions from a foundation to a public interest incorporated foundation.
April 2015	The “1/1 Mini 4WD Real Car Project” begins. The “1/1 Mini 4WD Aero Avante” will be unveiled for the first time in October.
June 2016	Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit reopens as an all-weather circuit.
June 2016	In response to the Kumamoto earthquake, we sold “Ganbare! Kumamoto Mini 4WD (Kumamon Edition)” and donated all profits to Kumamoto Prefecture.
February 2017	The 68th Spielwarenmesse, the world’s largest toy fair, was held in Germany. Tamiya celebrated its 50th anniversary of exhibiting at the fair.
May 2017	President and CEO Masayuki Tamiya passes away (aged 59).
June 2017	Shunsaku Tamiya, Chairman and Representative Director of Tamiya Co., Ltd., will also serve as President.
July 2018	The 1/35 scale military miniature series celebrates its 50th anniversary. The lineup includes 360 models.
October 2023	Tamiya Philippines begins operations at new factory in CLIP (Cebu Light Industrial Park) on Mactan Island, Cebu
May 2024	TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO opens in Shinbashi, Tokyo as a new flagship location.
July 2024	Senior Managing Director Nobuo Tamiya is appointed President and Representative Director of Tamiya Co., Ltd. Chairman and President Shunsaku Tamiya becomes Chairman and Representative Director.

*In April 2005, Shizuoka City changed its address notation when it became a designated city.

Paisen RC (Maezumi Satoshi) visiting the new Tamiya Modelers Store

Source: Paisen RC
2,000 Tamiya repair parts available immediately
TAMIYA MODELERS STORE is a retailer specializing in aftermarket parts. Among the repair and spare parts for Tamiya products handled by Tamiya Customer Service, approximately 2,000 highly sought-after items are available for same-day purchase. The store is divided into areas by genre, and the walls are lined with parts and stickers for scale models, RC cars, Mini 4WD, and more. Not only can you find damaged or lost parts, but just browsing the store is sure to inspire your next project. TAMIYA MODELERS STORE is located diagonally across the intersection from Tamiya’s flagship store, TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO. If you’re in the Shimbashi/Toranomon area, be sure to stop by.
■ Name: TAMIYA MODELERS STORE
■ Address: 1F, Le Graciel BLDG.80, 4-27-1, Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004
* Diagonally across the intersection from TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO
(1 minute walk)
■ Telephone: 03-6809-1175 (Forwarded from TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO)
■ Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-20:00 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00-19:00
■ Note: Payment is cashless only. Cash payments are not accepted.

Boxart of Tamiya 58752 Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.5-16 EVO II 1991 (TT-02 Chassis) & 58753 1/10 R/C DB01SR Chassis Kit

Tamiya 14058 1/12 Yamaha FZR750R Superbike (OW01)

Tamiya welcomes an updated re-issue of Item 14058 1/12 Yamaha FZR750R (OW01) (sold in 2011 last time) with a newly-added B5-size double-sided pamphlet with colour photos of the full-size bike for painting reference. During the 1988 Paris Show, the Yamaha Motor Company exhibited their motorcycle technology with the limited production, street-legal “works racer” designated FZR750R (OW01).

This motorcycle is based on the Yamaha YZF750 endurance racer that dominated the 1987, and 1988 Suzuka 8-hour endurance races. The 5-valve DOHC inline-4 engine featured titanium connecting rods, enlarged intake and exhaust ports, and EXUP (Exhaust Ultimate Power) system to ensure high output. The swing arm rear suspension, and lateral “Deltabox” aluminium box frame follows the YZF design, providing exceptional weight savings and rigidity. This motorcycle was delivered to only a thousand lucky riders around the world.

About the Model
● This is a 1/12 scale plastic model assembly kit. Length: 174mm, width: 62mm, height: 96mm
● Includes a newly-added B5-size double-sided pamphlet with colour photos for painting reference
● Just like the actual motorcycle, the fairing is split into two components, which are clear in the model
● Features a realistic depiction of DOHC inline-4 engine including auxiliary equipment such as carburetors and radiator
● Vinyl tubing for various cables
● Screw-attach engine and fairing using the kit-included screwdriver
● Metal coil spring is used for rear suspension
● 3-spoke wheels are paired with synthetic rubber tyres featuring accurate tread patterns

In Memoriam: Mr. Masao Tamiya who defined the Tamiya style

For model enthusiasts and design aficionados, the name Masao Tamiya has long been deeply etched in their hearts as the “behind-the-scenes force” behind the beauty of the Tamiya brand. As the younger brother of Chairman Shunsaku, Tamiya oversaw Tamiya’s design for over 30 years and created the iconic Twin Star logo that symbolizes the brand. His passion and craftsmanship exude an unwavering commitment to beauty and unwavering trust.

The Man Behind Packaging That “Conveys” Design
In 1981, the exhibition “Designer and Company Series 20: Masao Tamiya and TAMIYA: Tamiya Model Packaging Design” was held at Design Gallery 1953, showcasing the internationally acclaimed packaging designs he had created over more than 20 years. Tamiya’s white box (the so-called “white package”) was not merely packaging, but a “window” that spoke of its contents and heightened the anticipation of opening it. Above all, the precise and thoughtful design resonated deeply with fans.

Design as Art − The World of “Paper and Color”
After leaving Tamiya in 1998, Tamiya shifted his creative focus to graphic art. In 2005, an exhibition of three-dimensional artworks created by hand using paper was held. Utilizing the unique texture of paper and the warmth of handcrafted work, the pieces featured vibrant flat surfaces and depth reminiscent of paintings. Visitors were likely moved by the subtle variations in coloring and cutting, realizing that this was not merely a print but a living, breathing work of art.

First photos of some of the upcoming Tamiya RC releases

58753 DB01SR Chassis Kit
We are delighted to present the DB01SR chassis kit with Baldre body (item 51338). This chassis kit allows you to build a buggy with 2-belt drive and identical belts, and includes hop-up option parts for outstanding off-road racing performance!
About the model
• This is a 1:10 scale model kit
• A slip clutch (from item 54018 DB01 Slip Clutch Set) ensures stable off-road drive.
• The drivetrain consists of gear differentials.
• The gear differentials (from item 54329 DB01 Gear Differential Unit) feature steel bevel gears (from item 54428 Steel Bevel Gears for TA06 Gear Differential Unit) that require less maintenance and are compatible with high-performance motors.
• Front and rear axle shafts ensure efficient drive and minimal interference.
• Hex hubs at the front and rear allow for a wide selection of wheels and tyres.
• Square battery packs can be installed.
• Special stickers, cover stickers and a Baldre body are included. Please note that Baldre body stickers are not included.
• Comes with a special carrying case.
Please note that the motor, remote control equipment, battery pack, etc. are sold separately.
The following hop-up parts are included:
54015 DB01 Assembly Universal Shaft Front
54016 DB01 Assembly Universal Shaft Rear
54668 4WD Buggy Hex Hubs Aluminum, Rear
54669 4WD Buggy Hex Hubs Aluminum, Front
51580 4WD Buggy Front Dish Wheels (Hex)
51581 Buggy Rear Dish Wheels (Hex)
54211 TRF201 Rear Wing Set
54140 DB01 Reinforced Drive Belts Set

58750 Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO TT-02

47523 Mercedes Benz 4151 Tipper Truck Painted Candy Lime

Two more upcoming Tamiya RC releases

58752 1/10 RC Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.5-16 EVO II 1991 (TT-02 Chassis)
58753 1/10 R/C DB01SR Chassis Kit

Tamiya RC Car Festival in Shizuoka video report

From Friday, 16 May to Sunday, 18 May 2025, the ‘RC Car Festival in Hobby Town Shizuoka’ was held at the Shizuoka City Southern Gymnasium, adjacent to Twin Messe Shizuoka. On the day, many people visited the event, and the three days were filled with smiles and excitement through RC car experiences, workshops, and competitions. Event contents: RC car test drive event ‘Try!! Toyota RC’ RC car competition ‘Toyota Challenge Cup’ Mini 4WD workshop Experience booths by automotive-related companies and organisations (RC car operation, car mechanism experiences, etc.) Thank you very much for your participation and cooperation. We look forward to seeing you all again!