Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino's Hometown Exhibition Opens Ticket Sales
Tickets are on sale for Yoshiyuki Tomino's hometown exhibition in Odawara, featuring Gundam's creator and exclusive merchandise.
Key Takeaways
- Tickets for The Beginning Point of Yoshiyuki Tomino went on sale October 10, 2026.
- The exhibition runs November 23 through December 6 at Odawara Castle and Odawara Sannomaru Hall, with the castle display opening November 6.
- Advance adult tickets cost ¥1,700, while a limited ¥7,500 premium ticket includes exclusive commemorative merchandise.
Tickets are now on sale for The Beginning Point of Yoshiyuki Tomino: From Odawara to the Universe, an exhibition exploring the hometown and creative beginnings of the legendary anime director behind Mobile Suit Gundam.
General ticket sales began October 10, 2026, ahead of the exhibition's November 23 opening in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The event will run through December 6 across two venues: Odawara Castle and Odawara Sannomaru Hall.
Fans visiting earlier can also catch a special exhibition inside Odawara Castle beginning November 6, more than two weeks before the main exhibition opens.
Organizers have introduced several ticket options, including a limited premium package featuring an original acrylic stand, poster, and commemorative visitor gift.
Yoshiyuki Tomino's journey from Odawara to Gundam
Born in Odawara on November 5, 1941, Yoshiyuki Tomino has spent decades shaping Japanese animation.
His career began at Mushi Production, where he worked on Astro Boy before becoming a freelance director and storyboard artist. He later directed Triton of the Sea, Super Robot Zambot 3, Mobile Suit Gundam, Space Runaway Ideon, and Gundam Reconguista in G.
The upcoming exhibition examines Odawara as the starting point of Tomino's creative life, tracing the relationship between his hometown and the imagination that eventually carried his work into space.
Its Japanese title, 富野由悠季の原点 ―小田原から宇宙へ―, translates to The Beginning Point of Yoshiyuki Tomino: From Odawara to the Universe.
The exhibition follows The World of Yoshiyuki Tomino, a previous retrospective that toured Japan between 2019 and 2022.
Tomino also signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Odawara City in April 2024, strengthening his relationship with his hometown.
Odawara Castle and Sannomaru Hall will host the exhibition
The exhibition is divided between two venues in central Odawara.
Exhibition Venues
Early Opening
Odawara Castle
November 6 – December 6, 2026
The castle's fourth-floor exhibition room opens ahead of the main event. Visitors can explore this portion beginning November 6.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last admission: 4:30 p.m.
Main Exhibition
Odawara Sannomaru Hall
November 23 – December 6, 2026
The Small Hall and Gallery Corridor will host the second portion of the exhibition during its main run.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last admission: 4:30 p.m.
Both venues are located in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The exhibition is scheduled to remain open daily during its run.
Both venues will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with final admission at 4:30 p.m. Organizers have confirmed that the exhibition will remain open every day during its scheduled run.
Additional details about individual displays have yet to be published. The organizers plan to release further information through the exhibition's official website.
Ticket prices and premium packages
General admission tickets are available through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and Asoview.
The organizers have announced the following prices:
- Adult admission: ¥1,700 in advance or ¥2,000 at the regular price.
- Elementary and junior high school students: ¥1,000.
- Poster ticket: ¥2,200, including a poster featuring the exhibition's key visual.
- Premium ticket: ¥7,500, including an original acrylic stand, poster, and commemorative visitor gift.
The premium ticket is limited in quantity. Its acrylic stand design and additional merchandise details will be revealed later.
Odawara residents can also purchase discounted tickets at the venue ticket counters. Local adult admission costs ¥1,500, while elementary and junior high school students pay ¥900.
Proof of residency is required for those discounts, which are unavailable through online ticketing services.
Ticketing platforms may charge additional processing or issuance fees.
Odawara plans more activities celebrating Tomino
The exhibition will extend beyond its two main venues.
Organizers are preparing additional activities throughout Odawara, including augmented reality photo spots and specially designed manhole covers connected to the exhibition.
Details about those installations and other related events will be announced through the official website.
For Gundam fans visiting Japan, the exhibition offers an opportunity to explore the city where Tomino was born while learning more about the origins of his creative career.
The exhibition's timing also places it around Tomino's 85th birthday on November 5, one day before the early Odawara Castle display opens.
Where to buy Yoshiyuki Tomino exhibition tickets
Tickets went on sale October 10 at 10 a.m. Japan Standard Time.
Visitors can purchase admission through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and Asoview.
The official exhibition website provides ticket information, frequently asked questions, and future updates.
The exhibition opens at Odawara Castle on November 6, with the full two-venue event running November 23 through December 6, 2026.
