Kobe is home to one of Japan’s most unique monuments—a towering 18-metre-high, 50-ton robot statue. The robot, Ironman Tetsujin 28-go (known as Gigantor outside Japan), has been a beloved star of manga and anime since the late 1950s. It was created by Kobe-born Mitsuteru Yokoyama and is depicted in life-size form, weighing in at approximately 50 tons.
This incredible statue cost over 135 million yen (about $1.4 million USD) to construct and is part of an innovative art program designed to attract visitors back to Kobe following its reconstruction after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. The Nagata Ward, where the statue stands, was one of the areas most severely damaged by the disaster.
Funded by local businesses and government, the colossal robot has become a major draw, bringing thousands of visitors daily to the shops and businesses around Shin-Nagata Station. A special Tetsujin-themed curry was even sold to help raise funds for the project. After months of construction, the towering steel giant was unveiled in a grand ceremony on October 4, 2009.
For those wishing to visit this iconic statue, take the JR train to Shin-Nagata Station, located two stops past Kobe Station (about 30 minutes south of Osaka). Exit the station via the seaside exit, turn right, and head toward the Daimaru shopping complex—you’ll find Tetsujin 28 standing proudly in Wakamatsu Park, striking his battle pose for all to see.
Tetsujin 28 is not the first life-size robot statue built in Japan. Before him, a 15-metre Gundam statue was installed on Tokyo Bay’s Odaiba Island, but that was only a temporary exhibit. Fortunately, Tetsujin 28 is here to stay, standing as Kobe’s guardian against future disasters and evil forces.
First launched in 1956 as a manga series, Tetsujin 28 quickly gained popularity. By 1963, it was adapted into a TV series, later dubbed into English and aired in America and other English-speaking countries. Over the years, the character has appeared in several projects, including a live-action film. Sadly, Mitsuteru Yokoyama passed away in 1995 and never saw his creation brought to life in its full-scale form. However, Tetsujin 28 continues to inspire and thrill generations as he proudly watches over Kobe.
Access:
Tetsujin 28-go is located near Shin-Nagata Station on the JR Kobe Line. When exiting the station, walk towards the Daimaru department store in Joy Plaza—the statue is behind Daimaru and just a few minutes’ walk from the station.
