KFM vs. Tetsujin 28!
ng_nighthawk excitedly told me about the 18 meter tall statue of Mitsuteru Yokoyama's popular manga and anime character Tetsujin 28 in Kobe's Shinnagata district. I knew of a similar structure in Tokyo, the giant Gundam, but this one is much closer. I decided that for my first day of Winter Vacation, I was going to play with a giant robot.
It's pretty easy to get there from Hirakata. Just take the Keihan Line to Kyobashi, switch to the JR line, and head to Shinnagata. It's a slighly long trip, finishing at about an hour and a half, but since you're probably sitting down for most of it, it's not an issue. And I assure you, Shinnagata makes it abundantly clear that they have a giant robot in their city.
I suppose you could miss it, if you stuck to the main streets and the tall buildings, but the numerous flags everywhere clearly indicate where to go. Not only that, but it seemed like everyone was going there anyway. Students, businessmen, old couples, parents with kids, and even a TV crew was there to get a few shots of the statue. I think most people kept their distance, as that was the only way to get any decent shots of it, but many of us just had to go touch it.
Here I am, touching its foot. Yes, it was that big. Of course, now I want to see T-28 and the Daibutsu of Nara in a sparring match, but that's just me.
I spent some time getting numerous shots, had a hapless native take a pic with me in it...
...and ran off for food. While eating some delicious katsu-udon, something occured to me.
Oh. DUH!
I quickly finished my meal, ran back to the statue, grabbed yet another helpless Japanese, and had them take one final pic.
There we are. Not sure why I didn't do that in the first place.
Yet, my trip was not complete. I entered a nearby mall and looked for a toy store, swearing that I will find a pin/badge/whatever commemorating this event! I happened upon a vintage shop that sold original promotional items and materials for numerous manga an anime, such as Tetsujin 28, Kamen Rider, Astro Boy, and several others. Yes, they were outrageously priced, but I did manage to find a few items which were quite acceptable.
So, ng_nighthawk, which of these do you want? It will be included in your gift set which I will send to you soon as a token of my appreciation.
It's pretty easy to get there from Hirakata. Just take the Keihan Line to Kyobashi, switch to the JR line, and head to Shinnagata. It's a slighly long trip, finishing at about an hour and a half, but since you're probably sitting down for most of it, it's not an issue. And I assure you, Shinnagata makes it abundantly clear that they have a giant robot in their city.
I suppose you could miss it, if you stuck to the main streets and the tall buildings, but the numerous flags everywhere clearly indicate where to go. Not only that, but it seemed like everyone was going there anyway. Students, businessmen, old couples, parents with kids, and even a TV crew was there to get a few shots of the statue. I think most people kept their distance, as that was the only way to get any decent shots of it, but many of us just had to go touch it.
Here I am, touching its foot. Yes, it was that big. Of course, now I want to see T-28 and the Daibutsu of Nara in a sparring match, but that's just me.
Click to viewI spent some time getting numerous shots, had a hapless native take a pic with me in it...
...and ran off for food. While eating some delicious katsu-udon, something occured to me.
Oh. DUH!
I quickly finished my meal, ran back to the statue, grabbed yet another helpless Japanese, and had them take one final pic.
There we are. Not sure why I didn't do that in the first place.
Yet, my trip was not complete. I entered a nearby mall and looked for a toy store, swearing that I will find a pin/badge/whatever commemorating this event! I happened upon a vintage shop that sold original promotional items and materials for numerous manga an anime, such as Tetsujin 28, Kamen Rider, Astro Boy, and several others. Yes, they were outrageously priced, but I did manage to find a few items which were quite acceptable.
So, ng_nighthawk, which of these do you want? It will be included in your gift set which I will send to you soon as a token of my appreciation.