Kaiyodo Figure Museum

Thousands of figures fill this two-story space in Shiga, from palm-sized characters to towering replicas of Godzilla, Ultraman, and a range of anime, manga, and cultural icons. Kaiyodo began as a single plastic model shop in Osaka in 1964 and grew into one of the industry's most respected manufacturers. The museum showcases work by named sculptors, with sections dedicated to each artist's standout pieces. Alongside the permanent collection, diorama galleries display handcrafted scenes from films, games, and TV shows. On weekends and holidays, visitors can paint and assemble their own small dioramas. Capsule-toy machines and a gift shop round out the visit.