Kobe Tetsujin

While Tokyo got the 1/1 scale Gundam, Kobe got the 1/1 scale Tetsujin which I managed to recently visit on a business trip to Kobe this Summer.

Constructed in 2009, Tetsujin stands at 18 meters tall and currently lives in Wakamatsu Park. If you want to visit too then get off at JR Shin-Nagata station . The monument will be there for eternity and costs nothing to view it.

Together with the Gundam, maybe these 1/1 scale machines are Japan's secret defense system? ^^;
Some retro Tetsujin below.

The surrounding area is filled with Tetsujin stuff - goodies in the shops and as street lights too.

Wakamatsu Park being guarded by Tetsujin.

Occasionally you will see tourists take photos in front of Tetsujin doing the same pose.

But for the locals, its just another day in Kobe.

And here are some the-making-of photos with videos at the official site.

And here is the 1/1 scale Gundam in Odaiba which is now located outside Diver City.
What 1/1 scale mecha would you like to see next?