If you deep in the hobby of plastic model kits, then names like Aoshima, Bandai, Hasegawa and Tamiya should be familiar to you. And if really, really into the hobby, you would probably know that these big names in the world of plastic model kits are all located Shizuoka, a city just west of Tokyo, located in the Chubu region of Honshu.
Shizuoka prides itself as ‘a model city’ and rightfully so because, this Japanese city is responsible for over 80% of the plastic model market [JP]. The city is promoting this proud heritage by launching a campaign loosely translated to as ‘Shizuoka City Plastic Modeling Plan’.
As part of the plan, the city has installed sculptures (or monuments as per translation) around the city inspired by plastic model kit’s iconic assembly kits with runners or sprue.
For the uninitiated, runners or sprue are interconnecting plastic rods that hold the various parts of a model. Hobbyists will have to free up the components for the build by clipping the parts from the runners or sprue.
Anywho, as you can probably imagine, seeing real life objects such as signs and post box presented as assembly kit is both whimsical and fun.
Up to now, the city has installed a post box outside the city hall, an information board at JR Shizuoka Station south exit and two signs; one at JR Shizuoka Station south exit and the other at the Twin Messe event venue where the annual Shizuoka Hobby Show is held.
Images: Twitter (@smile_zazacity).
Source: Spoon & Tamago.
