Tamiya Hobby History Archives

Let Tamiya models tell the story!

Come to the Hobby History Archives and take a trip through our history which stretches back to when Tamiya was founded in 1946. The Archives were given a makeover in summer 2025 and now feature a dedicated section showing how we progressed from wooden to plastic models, illustrated with the original models and even recreations made using design drawings from eras gone by. Don't forget to have a look at our very first plastic model, the Yamato in 1/800 scale, our first motorized plastic model of the 1/35 Panther tank from 1962, and of course the extensive displays of car and motorbike static models, not to mention our radio-controlled models, which have enjoyed great popularity since we first started selling them in 1976, and our smash hit Mini 4WD series.

*Please note that a reservation is required to visit and look around our headquarters, which is where the Hobby History Archives are found. Click on this link for more information.

Tamiya started making models in 1948, and you can see examples both old and new from our many model genres here.
Carefully curated kits from our radio controlled, educational construction, Mini 4WD and various static model series are on show.
The Hotshot Jr. and Dash-1 Emperor are just some of the display cars which will delight Mini 4WD series fans.

A new section takes you from our first sales of wooden models through to the landmark 1962 plastic model of the Panther tank.
Other highlights include the first Tamiya tank model, on display with a copy of a newspaper advert from the time.
The Panther tank went on sale in January 1962, and can be seen as the first step in our proud tradition of plastic model design.

Early Tamiya milestones

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 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.
November 1976	Tamiya releases the 1/12 scale R/C Porsche 934 Turbo that triggers the R/C car boom.

Click here to see an expanded history.