Category Archives: Event Report

Tamiya live videos – Holiday Meeting Rally, BLOCKHEAD Meeting, Tamiya RC History, Mini 4WD Station Challenge and more



Introduction of Holiday Meeting “Rally”, BLOCKHEAD MEETING and Tamiya RC History!
・Introducing the “Holiday Meeting “Rally”” held at Tamiya Circuit on Saturday, January 21st. Many rally machines run fast on on-road and off-road courses! ・Please see the “BLOCKHEAD MEETING” venue held at Tamiya Circuit on Sunday, January 22nd. The parade run of only WILD ONE BLOCKHEAD MOTORS is a masterpiece! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 1999. “Honda S2000”, “Toyota Altezza” that won the 1998 Japan Car of the Year, and “Penzoil Nismo GT-R (R34)” that was active in JGTC will appear.


Introducing the New Year Tamiya Grand Prix Kakegawa Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
・ We will introduce the pattern of the “New Year Tamiya Grand Prix in Kakegawa” race held at Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit on Saturday, January 14th. 112 participants! Please pay attention to the hot race of the “Touring GPX2023” class, which recorded the highest number of entries in this tournament! ・Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 1999. You can see the “BMW M Roadster” and “Ford Focus WRC” modeled on open 2-seater sports cars, and the “Wild Wheelie 2” where anyone can enjoy wheelie driving with a renewed chassis


TAMIYA Mini4wd LIVE（January, 2023)
This time on Mini 4WD LIVE, we take a look at the Mini 4WD Station Challenge 1st ROUND races, which start in February and are run by stores taking part in the Mini 4WD Station program here in Japan.There will also be live action from the Tokyo leg of the Mini 4WD Grand Prix 2023 at Shinagawa Seaside, the full-size Aero Avante in ADVAN colors, a feature on the 3rd anniversary of the “Chosoku Grand Prix” smart device game, and more!

51st Tamiya Figure Remodeling Contest 2022



● TAMIYA Figure Remodeling Contest
The Tamiya Figure Remodeling Contest is an annual competition in Japan
where 1/35 scale Tamiya military figures (roughly 5cm tall) are remodeled
into various subjects, being given new or updated parts in the process – as
long as it started life as a 1/35 Tamiya military figure, almost anything
goes! Entries range from slightly altered poses and paint jobs to complete
overhauls into wildly different subjects, each given unique life by the
interests of its creator.

Thanks to the support of our fans, the doll modification contest has passed the 50th anniversary mark and we have welcomed it with renewed spirit. The judging process was also difficult this year, as we received a number of works that made us think, “I didn’t know there was such a thing.

00:00 – What is the Doll Remodelling Contest?
00:45 – The Gold Prize of the 51st contest went to Kunihiko Sato. Mr Sato, who had previously specialised in historical works, took up the challenge of creating a famous sketch by Katsushika Hokusai, painted some 200 years ago. The work is three-dimensional, but cleverly incorporates Hokusai’s brushstrokes, and the mysterious finish gives the impression of the outlines of the two-dimensional original painting. The most remarkable feature of the dolls are their costumes. The finely detailed kimono patterns on each of the dolls are a masterful feat that belies the age of the 76-year-old artist. Ms Sato has entered 51 consecutive contests since the first contest, breaking the record.
02:40 – The silver award went to Shojiro Morio, who recreated figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu’s quadruple axel performance as a series of photographs. He paid careful attention to the movement of the costume and hair, dividing the momentary movement into 13 cuts and integrating them without stagnation. The contrast between movement and stillness with the pre-acting puppet in the centre is also exquisite. The contrast between the movement and stillness of the puppet before the performance in the centre is exquisite.
04:39 – Takuya Watanabe created the dynamic swing of Yakult’s Murakami, the youngest ever triple crown winner, who drew attention in professional baseball in 2022. The catcher and umpire are also carefully finished in detail, and the tense scene is well presented as a group portrait. This is his first attempt at a contest on a seasonal subject, and he won the bronze award with flying colours.
06:11 – Despite the protracted Corona disaster, the Japanese women’s curling team brought a bright topic of discussion to the contest, with Norio Mushiaki’s recreation of their silver medal-winning team at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing winning the Topic Award. The skillful composition of the work shines through, with the base (court) sloped and arranged so that the movements, serious expressions and bright smiles of all the members can be clearly seen.
06:43 – The Idea Award went to Hisashi Murayama, who created a work depicting himself with the vast Mt Fuji in the background. The camera frame of the smartphone can be detached, so that the scenery seen through the viewfinder can be enjoyed as another way of showing the work. The delicate finish of the doll as well as the reproduction of the spokes of the motorbike are highlights of the work.
07:15 – Think for a moment like solving a riddle, and then you’ll be like, Oh, I see! I’m convinced. The work by Yuji Aoyama, winner of the Effort Award, in which riders named after different motorbikes are assembled, is fascinating for its unique ideas and the imbalance between machine and rider.
07:47 – Kiyoshi Okuyama’s Field Kitchen won the MM Award. A dining scene with a gathering of old and new dolls. It is a basic work of doll modification that can be enjoyed even with a little modification based on soldier dolls.
08:19 – The ten honorable mentions are listed in alphabetical order. In addition, the work used for the cover of the pamphlet is also listed.
Beginners are welcome. First of all, hold the doll in your hands and let your imagination run wild. What ideas would you put into a 5 cm tall doll?

First photos from new products shown at Tamiya Fair 2022

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf109 G-6 & Kubelwagen 82 type set

1/48 American M8 self-propelled howitzer

1/48 North American P-51D Mustang & 1/4 ton small four-wheel drive military vehicle set

1/48 Dornier Do335A Pfeil & Kubelwagen 82 type set

1/48 Kawasaki Type 3 Fighter Hien Type I & Kurogane 4-arm set

Lacquer paint LP-81 blue for toning / LP-82 red for toning / LP -83 Yellow for toning

Tamiya modeling brush HGII face brush ultra fine / extra fine / fine / small

Tamiya RC Live – Tamiya Grand Prix Tournaments and Tamiya RC History


Tamiya Grand Prix Kansai and Tamiya RC History!
The Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Kansai held at Kobe Harbour Land on Saturday 25 September. The final race of the ‘Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Kansai’ held on 26 September (Sun) will be shown. Tamiya RC History introduces the R/C released in 1997. The ‘Nissan R390 GT1’ that participated in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, the all-rounder buggy ‘Blazing Star’ and the ‘Mad Bull’ with its big tyres will make an appearance.


Tamiya Grand Prix Aichi Introduction and Tamiya RC History!
Tamiya Grand Prix Aichi held on Saturday 15 October at the Port of Nagoya Garden Wharf Rinko Midori-en. Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix in Aichi held on Sunday 16 October. Tamiya RC History introduces the R/C cars released in 1997. The ‘Volkswagen Golf V5’, the ‘avex Dome MUGEN NSX’ which competed in the All Japan GT Championship, and the ‘Porsche 911 Carrera’!


Introduction of Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit Off-Road Meeting, Tamiya GP Champion Round Just Before Special & Tamiya RC History!
The Tamiya Offroad Meeting held on the renewed Offroad Course on 9 October (Sunday) will be presented with the final race. Tamiya Grand Prix Championships” to be held on 29th and 30th October, we introduce the course layout and the points of attack for each class. Tamiya RC History introduces the RC released in 1998. The ‘Opel Vectra STW’ that competed in the German Super Touring Car Series, the ‘Subaru Impreza WRC’ that won the Manufacturers’ title in the WRC and the ‘Rover Mini Cooper Racing’ that appeared with the reborn M chassis will be introduced.

Tamiya RC Live – Tamiya Grand Prix Tournaments and Tamiya RC History



Tamiya Grand Prix Iwate Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
・Introducing the “Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Iwate Tournament” held at Big Roof Takizawa on Saturday, September 3rd. ・You can see the final race of the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Iwate Tournament” held on Sunday, September 4th. ・ Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 1997. “Porsche Boxster” and “Pia Nakajima Reynard” driven by Torasuke Takagi will appear.


Introducing the Tamiya Grand Prix Hokkaido Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
・ We will deliver the final race of the “Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Hokkaido Tournament” held at Gateau Kingdom Sapporo on Saturday, September 10th. ・Introducing the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Hokkaido Tournament” held on Sunday, September 11th. ・ Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 1997. You can see the “Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV” that played an active role in the World Rally Championship, and the “TA03F PRO Belt Drive 4WD David Jun Special” that was released to commemorate the victory in the RC Car National Championship.


Introducing the Tamiya Grand Prix Kakegawa Tournament and Tamiya RC History!
・ We will deliver the final race of the “Tamiya Grand Prix All Japan Championship Kakegawa Tournament” held at Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit on Saturday, September 17th. ・Introducing the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Kakegawa Tournament” held on Sunday, September 18th. ・ Tamiya RC history introduces the RC released in 1997. Please see “Toyota Celica GT-FOUR 97 Monte Carlo” and “Mercedes-Benz SLK”. [October 23rd (Sunday)] *Expanded version of 120 minutes each time

Upcoming Tamiya Fair 2022 – the hobby festival will be held for the first time in three years!


The hobby festival will be held for the first time in three years! 19th ( Sat ) 9:00-17:00, 20th ( Sun ) 9:00-16:00
Venue: Twin Messe Shizuoka North Building

Shizuoka’s autumn hobby event “Tamiya Fair” will be held at Twin Messe Shizuoka North Building for the first time in three years. We will prepare various events where customers can participate, play and experience, including the exhibition of new products that will be released from the fall to winter of 2022. Please come to the Tamiya Hobby Festival!

⇒ Click here for the Tamiya Fair 2018

Announcement and exhibition of Tamiya’s new products
New products such as scale models, RC models, Mini 4WD, and work kits that will be released from this autumn to early next year will be exhibited all at once.
Each development staff will be in charge of product explanation. Please feel free to ask us any questions!

Tamiya product sales corner
Many items such as Tamiya products currently on sale and original goods are available. You may find something new to enjoy, such as the scale model or parts you were looking for, or the tools and paint you want to use. The number of products is limited.Please forgive us when we are sold out.In addition, we may limit the number of popular products that can be purchased per person. Please note that the contents are subject to change.

Shizuoka plastic model club joint exhibition
A joint exhibition of works by clubs active in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan’s top producer of plastic models, will be held again this year. Hundreds of scale models such as airplanes, tanks, and automobiles, as well as Mini 4WD and RC car bodies will be gathered.

Exhibition of Doll Modification Contest
The Doll Remodeling Contest is a model contest using soldier dolls about 5 cm tall from the << 1/35 Military Miniature Series >>. From simple remodeling that just changes poses and combining accessories, to skillful works that transform into a completely different person or character, to ideas that are competitive based on the fun of ideas, the soldiers should be the base. Any work is OK! . The 2022 submissions will be exhibited for the first time at the venue. Please enjoy the wonderful work that you can’t believe it’s 1/35 size!

RC Tank Owners Meeting Held!! (19th)
A 1/16 RC tank series with the ultimate realism that reproduces not only the actions unique to tanks, but also sound and light. In the special field, a variety of tanks are gathered, from WWII tanks such as Tiger I, Sherman, and JS-2 to the latest modern tanks such as Type 10, Leopard 2A6, and M1A2 Abrams. Check out the timeless tank battles, including tense one-on-one match battles and team battles where combinations are the key to victory!

Mini 4WD Event (West Building/Saturday 19th only)
Details coming soon

First programming experience class (paid)
Let’s experience “programming”, which is attracting attention because it will be compulsory at elementary schools from 2020! We will hold a robot programming experience session for beginners at the popular classroom “Tamiya Robot School” that is being developed nationwide. Using the teaching materials “Cam Program Robot Construction Set” used in the school and the children’s computer “IchigoJam”, the robot will act according to the program entered in BASIC language. You can understand the mechanism of programming and mechanism while having fun.
◎ Schedule: 19th (Sat), 20th (Sun)
◎ Target: 3rd grade elementary school and above. Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Self-Defense Forces Public Relations Corner
The Self-Defense Forces PR corner, which is familiar at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, will also appear at the Tamiya Fair venue!
We are planning to exhibit the Ground Self-Defense Force vehicles, which are rarely seen.

Vehicles to be exhibited
Type 96 Wheeled Armored Car (WAPC)
Light Armored Vehicle (LAV)

Tamiya RC car experience driving event held (free)
Held an RC car assembly class at the Tamiya Fair 2022 venue. A weekend full of hobbies, including a tour of the Tamiya Fair and driving on a special circuit! Full-time staff will thoroughly lecture on the know-how of RC car production. Parents and children are welcome to participate.

RC car assembly class held (paid)
Held an RC car assembly class at the Tamiya Fair 2022 venue. A weekend full of hobbies, including a tour of the Tamiya Fair and driving on the circuit! Full-time staff will thoroughly lecture on the know-how of RC car production. Parents and children are welcome to participate.

Running tank experience corner (free)
Let’s run a large course with a scene with a 1/48 tank that shows comical running. Find your favorite machine and keep trying until you reach the goal!
Cooperation: UMA (Moving Model Association)

Sweets decoration production experience corner (charged)
Why not try your hand at a hobby where you can make sweets that look just like the real thing from materials such as clay. Participation by parents and children is also very welcome. You can take home the finished work. *The works are not edible.

In addition to this, there are many hands-on corners at the venue!!
RC trailer ride experience corner (free)
Let’s ride a 1/14 size RC trailer. We will carry out a trailer riding experience for elementary school students and younger.
Mini 4WD workshop (charged)
Let’s make and play on the spot! ! Reception at any time! A circuit is also available for running the completed machine. The staff will kindly give you a lecture on how to assemble it.

List of exhibiting companies / cooperating organizations (in no particular order)
Many manufacturers and cooperative organizations are exhibiting at the Tamiya Fair. Scale models, RC-related manufacturers, and many unique manufacturers are exhibiting, so please check each booth.
UMA (Moving Model Association) / Natural Style Co., Ltd. / Tamiya Robot School / Kyoto Machine Tool Co., Ltd. / Mizuho Co., Ltd. / Fine Mold Co., Ltd. / SWEET Co., Ltd. / MMP Co., Ltd. / Shimomura Alec Co., Ltd. / Chuo Package Co., Ltd. / Tamiya Plastic Model Factory Shimbashi / Tamiya Plastic Model Factory Tressa Yokohama / Model Art Co., Ltd. / Shizuoka Sangyo Service Co., Ltd. Restaurant Suruga / Shizuoka Plamo Club Joint Exhibition / Self-Defense Forces Shizuoka Regional Cooperation Headquarters / Laupen Model / Unit Co., Ltd. Promotion / Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. / Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. / Japan Military Vehicle Association / Studio Yuwa Co., Ltd. / Maruma Corporation / Hobby Shop Gannett / Netz Toyota Kobe Co., Ltd.

Announcement of the 82th Tamiya Pachi Contest winning work

The 82nd AFV model photo contest “Pachi”. People of all ages applied, from the youngest 10 years old to the oldest 80 years old. This time, there were many people who narrowed down to one work that “this is it”, and I felt the enthusiasm for that one. In addition, among the junior award-winning works, there were some masterpieces of a high level that were no different from those of the general public. Compared to previous years when there were many entries in the photography category, the number of entries in the scenery category increased this year. The vehicles that became the subject were mainly the M18 Hellcat and KV-2 released this spring, and many works using these were received.
Mr. Mitsuishi’s work, which won the gold prize in the landscape photography category, makes excellent use of the twilight sky in the background, and the scene combining vehicles and soldiers visible in the backlight is splendid. Mr. Minami’s KV-2, which won the gold prize in the photography category, has a realistic and solid green body with a complementary red background, giving it an impressive finish.
The deadline for applications for the Pachi Contest is September 1 every year. When the model is completed, next is a snap with the camera. We are waiting for one piece of the entrance.

Prize-winning works in the landscape photography category


Gold medal
[Author] Kunihiro Mitsuishi (56) Oita [Title] Twilight [Scale] 1/35
This is a diorama using the M18 Hellcat and American soldier figure released this year, and my favorite greyhound. I assembled the set outdoors at dusk and pressed the shutter while being conscious of the ever-changing background. I deliberately chose an image that emphasized the silhouette with a hint of backlight. It is a privilege of the countryside to be able to shoot in a beautiful location of the setting sun. (smile)


Silver Award
[Author] Kenichi Sanada (51) Fukuoka [Title] Strike to Victory [Scale] 1/35
This work was created with the theme of a scenery work that makes use of Pershing’s movable suspension. Some fenders have been removed to emphasize the series of movements going up the stone steps. The base stone steps and brick wall are made by myself from styrene boards. Making a diorama is hard work to give shape to your imagination, but nothing can replace the joy of completing it.


Silver Award
[Author] Akira Hitomi (58) Tochigi [Title] To a new mission [Scale] 1/35
The work depicts a scene in which a new mission was announced over the radio just after an American military reconnaissance unit joined the platoon. It is a combination of M18 Hellcat, cargo truck, jeep and infantry. Other materials used are styrene board for the building and tissue paper for the track holo. The photo was taken outdoors in the evening. For me, Pachi is the pursuit of the ultimate reality.


Prize-winning work in the photo category


Gold medal
[Author] Kentaro Minami (31) Shizuoka [Title] KV-2 [Scale] 1/35
For painting, I used an airbrush with a diameter of 0.2 mm, sprayed green in a mottled manner, and added buff little by little to increase the brightness. I made my own masking on the turret with a cutting plotter and applied imaginary markings. For the background, choose red, which is the complementary color of green. At the same time as making the tank stand out, it also expresses the Soviet tank-likeness. I had a hard time shooting without red being reflected on the car body.


Silver Award
[Author] Yoshiyuki Kano (50) Hokkaido [Title] American Tank Destroyer M18 Hellcat [Scale] 1/35
Since it is a monochromatic tank, I focused on painting. Crafts add dolls and luggage. The painting was finished with chipping, dry brushing, filtering, etc. so that it would not be monotonous. The undercarriage is soiled with a weathering stick, etc., and then sputtered. I used a mirrorless single-lens reflex camera and took pictures indoors using a shooting box.


Silver Award
[Author] Satoshi Tateoka (60) Chiba [Title] Type III Assault Gun G [Scale] 1/35
I made it with the image of a vehicle full of spare supplies in the latter half of the war. The kit is a straight assembly with additional armor plates and rear racks. Equipment is a diversion from other kits. The painting uses a combination of lacquer, acrylic and enamel paint. I paid attention to the painting so that I could feel the three-dimensional effect as a whole, being conscious of the sharpness of the light and shade and the color tone.


Past years prize-winning works