Shizuoka Hobby Fair was opened on July 24, 2010 and a full-scale model of Gundam is now standing in Shizuoka city. The site is located on the north side of Tokaido Lines's Higashi-Shizuoka Station, between the station's north exit and NTT DoCoMo Shizuoka Building [map]. The 18-meter-tall Gundam model can be seen from Shinkansen trains and many tweets are on Twitter.

On the westbound trains, passengers can see the Gundam on their rite side windows [YouTube]. Because the Shinkansen tracks are generally running on elevated bridges, the trains don't go under an overpass often. Before arriving Shizuoka Station, Shinkansen runs over Route 1 by a truss bridge and passes under five bridges of Tomei Expressway, local streets and Shizuoka Railway tracks. Then the passengers on trains will find NTT DoCoMo Shizuoka Building and the Gundam soon. If they on the trains which pass Shizuoka Station like Nozomi, they will find the statue about 7 minutes after passing Shin-Fuji Station (about 6 minutes and 30 seconds by N700 series). When the trains like Hikari and Kodama are going to stop at Shizuoka Station, the English announcement's phrase of "Passengers going to the Tokaido Line" may mean "The Gundam is standing on your right windows."

On eastbound trains, the Gundam is on their left. Shizuoka and Higashi-Shizuoka Station serve as landmarks. 35 seconds after Shizuoka Station by the trains passing Shizuoka like Nozomi or one minute and 50 seconds after departing Shizuoka by the trains stopping there, passengers can see him for a moment.

From this July, commemorating 30th anniversary of Gundam models, full-scale model of Gundam will be built in Shizuoka city where the production base of the models are located. The 18-meter-tall Gundam model has firstly stood at Odaiba, Tokyo from July 11, 2009 through August 31 as commemoration of Gundam animation's 30th anniversary. The first models of Gundam was started to sell on July 24, 1980 and the full-scale model will appear at the site of Shizuoka Hobby Fair which will be taken at north side of Higashi Shizuoka Station. The fair is scheduled to finish on January 10, 2011, but the model's display will be continued until around May, 2011.

The tall Gundam, having the beam saber and illuminated, will be seen from Shinkansen trains. The site is located about 2.5 km east of Shizuoka Station. Passengers on eastbound Nozomi trains will see the Gundam on their left side windows approx. 30 seconds after passing Shizuoka Station at 270 km/h.

JR Central said that Numazu Shizuoka Shinkansen Kippu (沼津・静岡新幹線きっぷ meaning Shinkansen Special Ticket between Numazu and Shizuoka) will be available beyond this April. Numazu doesn't have Shinkansen station and this ticket allows travel on the detouring but quicker way between Numazu and Shizuoka via Mishima.

Overview of Numazu Shizuoka Shinkansen Kippu

• Name of the ticket
  • Numazu Shizuoka Shinkansen Kippu (沼津・静岡新幹線きっぷ meaning Shinkansen Special Ticket between Numazu and Shizuoka)
• Travel dates
  • from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011
• Period of selling
  • purchasable only on the travelling day
• Maximum period of travel
  • one day
• Available sectors and prices
  • between Numazu and Shizuoka via Mishima: JPY 3,800
• Purchasable at
  • station counters between Mishima and Shizuoka, and shops of JR Tokai Tours
• Remarks
  • This ticket allows double travel between Numazu and Mishima by local trains on Tokaido Line, and between Mishima and Shizuoka by Hikari or Kodama trains. Second class non-reservation seats are available.
  • The ticket is sold as two pieces. These two tickets allow round trip for one passenger or single for two.
  • Numazu Shizuoka Shinkansen Jiyuseki Kaisuken (沼津・静岡新幹線自由席回数券) is available until March 31, 2010.

JR Central announced they will release electronic money function on TOICA, the IC rail pass card issued by them, on March 13, 2010.

On the day of service starting, TOICA electronic money will be acceptable at 250 kiosks and Bellmarts, and 335 drink vending machines in stations of JR Central area. In addition, about 68,000 member stores of Suica and ICOCA will also accept TOICA. On the same day, TOICA, Suica and ICOCA electronic moneys will start to be available in each other's service area. The service start date is March 13 for kiosks and stands, and sequentially from March 13 through 15 for vending machines.

They said the number of TOICA electronic money member stores will grow in and out of stations in the TOICA area in the years ahead.

Major Stores For TOICA Electronic Money

• 250 shops in ICOCA area
  • kiosks and Bellmarts on platforms and concourse of Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Hamamatsu, Toyohashi and Shin-Osaka Station
  • kiosks and Bellmarts on platforms and concourse of Nagoya Station and some stores inside and outside the station
  • kiosks and Bellmarts on platforms and concourse, and stores in ASTY of Shizuoka and Kyoto Station
• 335 coin machines in ICOCA area
  • vending machines on platforms and concourse of Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka Station

JR Central said that the discount tickets including round trip by Shinkansen and unlimited ride around Kyoto or Nara will be more usable since this July. Kyoto Easygoing Pass (京の遊々きっぷ) and Nara and Yamatoji Easygoing Pass (奈良・大和路遊々きっぷ) will be available. Both will be on sale from July 01, 2009 for travel starting after July 16.

Kyoto Easygoing Pass (京の遊々きっぷ)

Kyoto Easygoing Pass includes round trip by Shinkansen to Kyoto and a bill of Kyoto One-Day Pass (京都観光一日乗車券). Traveling from Tokyo or Yokohama area, this pass requires starting from Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama station until July 15. After July 16, starting from stations in Tokyo borough or Yokohama city will be allowed. It means that travels between the local station and such Shinkansen stations will be included in the pass. And this pass will be purchasable at major JR stations and travel vendors in metropolitan area in addition to stations of JR Central and JR Tokai Tours. Discount privileges of regular tourist coach in Kyoto are also added.

The pass with effect from July 16 will be started to sell on July 01.

Major Departure Points and Prices (for an adult)

• Tokyo (within Tokyo borough): 27,100 JPY
• Shin-Yokohama (within Yokohama city): 25,800 JPY
• Shizuoka: 20,000 JPY
• Nagoya (within Nagoya city): 11,800 JPY

Nara and Yamatoji Easygoing Pass (奈良・大和路遊々きっぷ)

Nara and Yamatoji Easygoing Pass includes round trip by Shinkansen to Kyoto and unlimited ride of JR trains, Kintetsu trains, and Nara Kotsu buses within the designated section. The section is expanded that of Nara Easygoing Pass (奈良の遊々きっぷ) available for sale now to Yoshino and Murou area. Traveling from Tokyo or Yokohama area, this pass requires starting from Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama station until July 15. After July 16, starting from stations in Tokyo borough or Yokohama city will be allowed. It means that travels between the local station and such Shinkansen stations will be included in the pass. And this pass will be purchasable at major JR stations and travel vendors in metropolitan area in addition to stations of JR Central and JR Tokai Tours. Discount privileges of regular tourist coach in Nara are also added.

The pass with effect from July 16 will be started to sell on July 01. Nara and Yamatoji Free Pass (奈良・大和路フリーきっぷ) and Nara and Yamatoji Family Pass (奈良・大和路ファミリーきっぷ) end for travel starting on July 15.

Major Departure Points and Prices (for an adult)

• Tokyo (within Tokyo borough): 27,500 JPY
• Shin-Yokohama (within Yokohama city): 26,200 JPY
• Shizuoka: 20,400 JPY
• Nagoya (within Nagoya city): 11,900 JPY