Tamiya Corporation was founded by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, Japan, in 1946, initially operating as a sawmill and lumber company. The company ventured into modeling in 1948 with a scale wooden ship model kit, establishing a foundation for excellence under the motto "First in Quality Around the World."
Tamiya began producing plastic model kits in 1959, with the Japanese battleship Yamato as their first plastic model. The company pioneered the 1/35 scale for military models and became the first Japanese model kit manufacturer to exhibit at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1968. In 1976, Tamiya revolutionized the hobby industry by entering the radio-controlled market with the Porsche 934 Turbo RSR.
Today, Tamiya offers more than 3,000 different products across multiple categories including military vehicles, aircraft, ships, cars, and radio-controlled vehicles in various scales. Their products are exported worldwide, with the company maintaining its reputation for exceptional quality, precise scale detail, and innovative design that continues to set industry standards for hobbyists globally.
