My trip to the Bandai Museum in Japan (circa 2005)

[cjefferys]

Found another pic, they even had a minty boxed V3 Jumbo (and a Gaiking too):



And a close up of the Garada K7 Jumbo:

[starsky]

being a huge japanese toy collector as well, i am floored by those pics!! i had no idea bandai had a toy museum!! was there a gift shop?

[highquality]

That Garada is wicked BAD!!

Oooh if I were a richer man..

I'd probably still be outbid by even richer Japanese.

[Evel KMego]

Very cool to put a face to your name. That place is awesome!!! I've been to Japan twice on business, but never got to see any vintage toys. I went to a Toys R' Us there and other stores that had modern toys (I picked up an Ultraman). If I ever go back I'm asking directions to the nearest vintage store!!!!!!

[Marvelmania]

I'm so loving these pictures! Thanks for posting them! Where was this located (in what district) and do you know where it's moved to? I've been to Japan a few times but have never seen anything like this. I've got to hit it next time I'm there.

[jasonmego1277]

Now that is some really cool stuff. I love seing this stuff as it brings back so many memories !

[cjefferys]

Where was this located (in what district) and do you know where it's moved to? I've been to Japan a few times but have never seen anything like this. I've got to hit it next time I'm there.

I'll have to ask my wife both questions, I'm terrible at remembering Japanese place names other than the ones I visit a lot (eg. Shibuya, Akihabara, etc). The old location (the one I visited) was at a train stop I had never been to before in my travels. I'll get the info for you.

EDIT: OK, I found out that the museum used to be in Matsudo, Chiba, right near the train station. It's current location is Mibu, Tochigi. Apparently it's current location is a bit in the middle of nowhere, not that close to the general Tokyo area, and not a very convenient trip (according to my wife). Why they moved it there who knows? They should have located it in Akihabara.

Here's a wikipedia page I found too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandai_Museum

[cjefferys]

Very cool to put a face to your name. That place is awesome!!! I've been to Japan twice on business, but never got to see any vintage toys. I went to a Toys R' Us there and other stores that had modern toys (I picked up an Ultraman). If I ever go back I'm asking directions to the nearest vintage store!!!!!!

Japan Toys R' Us is cool to visit, it kicks all kinds of butt compared to the North American TRU. The most vintage toy stores I've seen in one area is in Akihabara (along with a huge variety of electronics stores, cosplay cafes, video game stores, etc. It's the otaku mecca of Japan). There are some good ones right on the main strip and some cool ones hidden away on the side streets too. That whole area is a geek wonderland, I love it.

[Marvelmania]

Wow, thanks for the info. I do know Chiba a little. I spent some time in Funibashi, Chiba. I have no idea about Tochigi but I'll hunt it down. Again, super pictures!

[yokaijohn]

Great Pics!!!

[saildog]

Awesome pics, my friend.

I lived in that area for three years and went to Akihabara all the time. Basically, we were hackers and that was our paradise. Off the shelf and ahead of the curve stuff there in those days.

[4NDR01D]

Wow Chris!, that looks like one hell of a cool trip. Thanks for the great picks. I love the original Bandai Go Rangers,and of course the jumbos. I'm really hopin' I can take a trip there sometime soon.

[jayihdz]

Nice pics man... I have a few of those figures but never got into them that much...

[tmthor]

I sold one of those Jumbo Kamen Riders a couple of years ago

[samurainoir]

Given how much I love the Japanese spiderman, it astonishes me that I don't own a Leopaldon. I have a new life's mission.

Great pics Chris! I guess this must be one of those places where they don't come at you with their arms crossed in front of them in an "x" if you try and take pics. 8)