History

Since our start with educational wooden models in 1948, Tamiya has unswervingly striven to be "First in Quality Around the World." For a brief look at some of the milestones in our history, take a look at the timeline below.

May 1946	A sawmill/lumber company is founded in Oshika, Shizuoka City, Japan and named Tamiya Shoji & Co.
April 1948	A wooden model section is founded within the lumber company.
June 1953	The sawmill is closed, and Tamiya becomes a specialized wooden model kit maker.
May 1960	Tamiya releases its first all-plastic kit, a 1/800 scale Yamato battleship model.
January 1962	Tamiya releases the first 1/35 scale motorized tank, the Panther.
December 1962	Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is founded as a plastic molding company.
January 1967	The first issue of Tamiya News is published.
January 1968	Tamiya participates in the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany for the first time, drawing attention for its detailed 1/12 scale racing car models.
August 1969	Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is renamed the Tamiya Plastic Model Co.
August 1973	Construction of a headquarters with manufacturing facility in Oshika, Shizuoka City, is completed.
November 1976	Yoshio Tamiya is awarded The Fifth Order Of The Sacred Treasure by the Japanese government, for his commitment to the industry.
November 1976	Tamiya releases the 1/12 scale R/C Porsche 934 Turbo that triggers the R/C car boom.
May 1977	Shunsaku Tamiya is appointed President of the Tamiya Plastic Model Co.
November 1977	A shipping facility is completed next to the production factory.
October 1978	A new Tamiya Circuit is completed in the vicinity of the production factory.
October 1978	Tamiya Plastic Co., Ltd. is founded.
May 1980	The first Tamiya Modelers' Gallery is held at the Tokyu Hands department store, Shibuya, Tokyo.
December 1980	Construction of a new 6-story headquarters building is completed.
July 1982	The first Mini 4WD model is released, marking the start of a long-running hit product line.
March 1984	Tamiya Shoji & Co. establishes Tamiya, Inc., and Tamiya, Inc. takes over main operations. Shunsaku Tamiya is appointed as President.
November 1985	Tamiya Plastic Co., Ltd. completes its own injection molding facility.
November 1988	Founder Yoshio Tamiya passes away at the age of 83.
April 1989	The 8-story east wing addition to the headquarters building is completed.
May 1989	Tamiya America, Inc. is established in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
September 1989	Tamiya Europe GmbH is established in Neuss, Germany.
April 1990	Tamiya completes a second shipping facility, in Oshika, Shizuoka City.
July 1990	Monetary donation to the Tank Museum in Bovington, U.K. A new hall is named "Tamiya Hall".
December 1990	Planning and Operations activities are taken over by Tamiya, Inc.
July 1992	Tamiya America, Inc. headquarters are established in Aliso Viejo, California, U.S.A.
December 1993	Tamiya Hong Kong, Ltd. is founded.
September 1994	Tamiya Philippines, Inc. is established in the Mactan Island Export Processing Zone, on Cebu Island, the Philippines.
June 1995	The Tamiya Foundation Scholarship is founded.
December 1995	Total sales of the Mini 4WD series surpass 100 million units.
May 1996	Kakegawa Circuit is opened in Kakegawa City, Japan, to act as a R/C race venue and provide a testing ground for the development of new R/C cars.
December 1996	Tamiya Europe GmbH relocates to Furth, Germany.
April 1997	Tamiya establishes a scholarship for students of 2 universities in the Phliippines.
November 2000	The Tamiya Fair is held for the first time, in the Twin Messe Hall of Shizuoka City.
March 2005	Tamiya receives a prestigious design award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.
June 2006	Tamiya sets up an official presence in Tokyo.
June 2007	Tamiya America, Inc. relocates to Irvine, California.
June 2008	Masayuki Tamiya is appointed President of Tamiya, Inc., with Shunsaku Tamiya becoming Chairman.
September 2008	An official shop, Tamiya Plamodel Factory, opens in Shimbashi, Tokyo.
October 2008	An off-road R/C car circuit and rock crawling course are added to the facilities at the Kakegawa Circuit.
April 2012	The Tamiya Foundation Scholarship achieves Public Interest Incorporated Foundation status.
April 2015	The 1/1 Giant Mini 4WD Project begins. It culminates in the completion of the 1/1 Mini 4WD Aero Avante in October 2015.
June 2016	Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit re-opens as an all-weather facility.
June 2016	Tamiya releases "Kumamon Mini 4WD - Supporting Kumamoto", with all profits to be donated to Kumamoto Prefecture, which was badly affected by a massive earthquake earlier in the year.
February 2017	Tamiya marks 50 years of attendance at the prestigious Spielwarenmesse® in Nuremberg, Germany.
May 2017	President Masayuki Tamiya passes away at the age of 59.
June 2017	Shunsaku Tamiya assumes the role of President in addition to his position of Chairman.
October 2023	Tamiya Philippines, Inc. relocates to the Cebu Light Industrial Park (CLIP) on Mactan Island, Cebu, the Philippines.