11/07/2025
Shin Godzilla Animatronic Makes Its Long-Awaited Return
After celebrating Godzilla’s 70th anniversary last year, the traveling exhibition known as Godzilla Expo is heading to Kanazawa, Japan! The event, called Godzilla Expo in Kanazawa, will run from January 17 to March 22, 2026, at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History.
This edition of the Godzilla Expo celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 2016 film Shin Godzilla with a special treat for fans: a rare chance to see the original “Godzilla Animatronic” model made for the movie’s production. It will be the first time the piece has been on public display since 2017.
Standing about three meters tall, the animatronic was created by special effects artist Takayuki Takeya and his team for Shin Godzilla. Built with internal mechanical systems that allowed the monster’s mouth and facial expressions to move, it served as a major practical design reference during production. Although it was not used in the final film, which featured a fully CG version of Godzilla instead, the exhibit describes it as “a valuable artifact that conveys the passion and persistence of the creators, representing one of the many steps in making a great film.”
Following earlier stops in Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Iwate, the Godzilla Expo in Kanazawa event will also showcase suits and statues from past Godzilla films along with a detailed diorama from Godzilla Minus One. Visitors can use their smartphones to enjoy an interactive tokusatsu experience that recreates the spirit of classic special effects cinema.
Whether you live in Japan or are just visiting, don’t miss this rare chance to see a remarkable piece of kaiju filmmaking history up close!
Godzilla Expo in Kanazawa
When: January 17 (Saturday) to March 22 (Sunday), 2026
Where: Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History
