Kaiyodo Hobby Museum Shimanto

Nestled in the mountains around the Shimanto River basin is the Kaiyodo Hobby Museum, which displays over 8,000 different exhibits of anime figurines, model building kits, comics, novelty toys, and much more. The museum showcases the history and vast collection of Kaiyodo, a major figurine manufacturer, renowned for their elaborate designs, attention to detail and unusual motifs.

The journey into a whole new dimension begins as soon as you arrive, as the building exterior might catch you by surprise. The museum opened in 2011 and is housed in the repurposed gymnasium of an abandoned elementary school. The façade pops with energetic colors against the calming green of the surrounding forest, which gives it an almost surreal look. This reuse of the former school was part of a project to help revitalize this depopulated region, by bringing people together through the power of art.

The museum was expanded in 2022, with the addition of a comprehensive shop where you can purchase your own figurines and model building kits. There is also a comfortable lounge area to relax in, with a balcony with a view of the river that passes by the museum.

We hope you have a chance to visit Kaiyodo Hobby Museum and get a feel for all of the ways anime has significantly impacted Japanese pop culture through time, and continues to do so today. When you do visit, be sure to also check out the Kaiyodo Kappa Museum which is just 5 minutes away.