Last Maruei Golden Week Railroad Model Exhibition

[bill937ca]

With the closing of the Maruei Department Store in Nagoya in June, there has been a lot of coverage in the Japanese media and on Facebook by enthusiasts for the 15th and last railroad model exhibition.  Like the Matsuya Ginza show in July,  on which the Nagoya show is based the Maruei railroad model exhibition features manufacturer displays and special issue models. A DDF model of the Maruei Department Store sold out on the first day.  

 

The significance of this show is that it was the first regional show. Officials at Kato believed a show outside Tokyo or Osaka would be difficult to host considering the population and market. Kawasaki-san (of Kato) was "shocked"  by the first queue in 2004 waiting for the opening of the first Maruei show.

 

This event is an example of how much different the dynamics of the railroad model industry in Japan are versus other countries where hobby shows are usually run by enthusiasts.

 

Japanese language Asahi Shimbun news story includidng interviews with the show's founders..  https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL524RC3L52OIPE00T.html

 

Maruei Department Store Tetsudo Mokei 2017 poster:  

http://maruei.ne.jp/yotei/tetsudo-mokei/images/01.jpg

 

Video by Asahi Shimbun .

 

 

Annoucement of the 2018 Maurei Railroad Model Show -  http://maruei.ne.jp/tetusdouten.htm

Edited May 5, 2018 by cteno4

[bill937ca]

N Gauge Information has several Japanese language entries listing 15th Railway Model Exhibition (Nagoya Marui Department store) exhibits by manufacturer.  These pages were filed on the first day of the show.

 

Micro Ace   http://www.jp-ngauge.info/ngi/2018/05/micro-ace15-eaaf.html

Tomix  http://www.jp-ngauge.info/ngi/2018/05/tomix15-d2d6.html

Tomytec http://www.jp-ngauge.info/ngi/2018/05/tomytec15-e3ed.html

Greenmax http://www.jp-ngauge.info/ngi/2018/05/greenmax15-9ec2.html

Kato  http://www.jp-ngauge.info/ngi/2018/05/kato15-d336.html

Modemo http://www.jp-ngauge.info/ngi/2018/05/modemo15-39da.html

Edited May 5, 2018 by bill937ca

[miyakoji]

I like that Sagano Scenic Railway DE10 1104.  The red looks more like pink but still it's cool.  Also there's that 637,200 yen live steam D51.  That's got Mark written all over it

 

So this show won't continue at another venue?

[bill937ca]

1 hour ago, miyakoji said:

So this show won't continue at another venue?

 

People want it to continue, but it is the department store's show and the department store is closing.  I think continuing was brought up by the organizers, but they decided against it. As the show generates foot traffic for the department store, I suspect the venue may be no charge or similar and this would be an obstacle unless you just happen to have a handy department store.  One comment I have seen is that time is changing in retail in Japan too.

 

Also with the retail landscape changing that space that the Maruei show and Matsuya Ginza use is probably a relic of a past department store law.  As department stores disappear so does the inhouse exhibit space.

Edited May 5, 2018 by bill937ca

[railsquid]

The Matsuya Ginza show has an entrance charge (for the exhibition part, the sales area is free), though many model shops in Tokyo give out free tickets with purchases in the weeks before it is held.