Why Small Worlds Tokyo Should Not Be Missed

Small Worlds Tokyo is one of the largest displays on miniatures in the world, but should it be something you do on your Tokyo trip. Short answer – yes! It’s fantastic. But, read on to find out why.

Admittedly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to Small Worlds Tokyo on my last trip. It looked cute, but, with a ‘to see list’ as long as my arm, I wasn’t certain it was cute enough (plus Mr Japlanease was with me and he doesn’t like to pay for things!). Then it started to hose down with rain and, as Small Worlds was nearby and inside, we decided to go.

THANK YOU RAIN GODS

About 40 minutes later I was standing in a room with my hand clapped over my mouth with amazement and grinning with joy. Here’s why you won’t regret a trip to Small Worlds Tokyo.

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

What Exactly is Small Worlds Tokyo?

In case, you’ve ended up here because you’ve seen me raving about it in other posts but aren’t quite sure what I’m raving on about, Small Worlds Tokyo is a display of miniature dioramas

It’s basically like a model village. Now if you ever got dragged to these in the UK as a child, you might have visions of dodgy models of a slightly tilted Eiffel Tower or scenes from the local cricket green, but, forget that, these models take everything to the next level.

Not only is Small Worlds 8000 square metres in size, making it one of the largest indoor displays of miniatures in the world, the scenes are packed with the tiniest of details. Things move, cars and trains whizz about, lights come on, you can push buttons and change things – it’s just mesmerizing and, in my opinion, the most underrated sight on the island of Odaiba!

It’s waaayyyy better than that Gundam everyone goes out there to see!

And, as for what caused me to squeal with glee – that was watching the planes in the model of Kansai Airport take off and land. It’s just one of the totally unnecessary details that sum up the next level that the designers here go to – and, let’s not talk about the fact that the whole city in the Evangelion exhibit actually transforms itself from skyscrapers to flat – and that there’s a rocket launch with fire.

However, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s walk you through the exhibit. There are eight main model display areas at Small World’s Tokyo, and here are a few of the highlights in each room so you don’t miss anything.

1. Space Centre

After you leave the ticket area and walk through a lit-up tunnel, the first room you enter is this one—it’s full of rockets, space shuttles, and mission control.

The room’s timeline is the 1960s Apollo Mission take-off, so make sure you look out for the fun 1960s details about the buildings and the people watching the launch—as well as all the cool stuff about the rocket itself.

Sadly, the day we were there, the Saturn IV wasn’t taking off, but if it is, then make sure you hang around or come back to see it – the times are listed in the exhibit.

The most important thing to remember when walking around Small Worlds Tokyo is to really take your time – I’m checking my photos and watching videos now to remind myself of things, and there are so many details that I missed – like the little robot above holding a placard that I only spotted about ten minutes ago!

Peer into windows, check the corners of the exhibit – and the number one rule – push the buttons.

These are headed up with fun titles – in English as well as Japanese – like ‘I Need to Pee’ or ‘Baby Dragons’ – and, when pressed they’ll cause things in the exhibit to move, change or appear.

2. Global Village Area

This is more like the model villages I remember from my childhood – ski chalets sit in front of snowy mountains, skyscrapers are surrounded by neon lights and trains whizzing between them all – but, hang on – why are there tiny dragons and giant phoenixes in the mix?

Because, even though the architecture in the Small Worlds Global Village is loosely based on real places, the cities are actually set in an imaginary world where steampunk and fantasy co-exist with the reality that we are used to.

So, the timeframe for the room spreads from the early 1900s to the Industrial Revolution and, you’re as likely to see someone walking a pegasus as an actual horse!

Highpoints include the Dragon Forest, where tiny people train their dragons, the amazing airship, the glow-in-the-dark mine and the futuristic Zhenshimen City with its tiny robots everywhere.

If you spend enough time in this room the lighting will swap from day to night – and so many other things change with the lights.

3. The Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Area

The first of the manga/anime-themed areas in Small Worlds, this takes you into the world of Sailor Moon.

If you’re not up on your Japanese manga and anime, Sailor Moon follows the adventures, of Usagi, a Japanese schoolgirl who transforms into Sailor Moon to search for a mystical crystal with the help of her support squad, the Sailor Guardians.

You’ll see images of her a lot around Tokyo; she’s the character with blonde pigtails who wears a blue and white sailor suit (see more in our guide to common manga and anime characters you might see on your trip). And, you’ll also find her in a few different spots in this model too.

Split into two areas, you’ll find a realistic model of Azabu Juban, where Sailor Moon is set, and then a model of Crystal Tokyo behind it.

Some of the things not to miss include a glimpse into Usagi’s house – push the button, and the orange roof will lift off so you can peer within.

Make sure you look under the casino area to spot the Sailor Moon guardians, you’ll also find them dotted around other areas in the exhibit. Rei and lots of bad guys, also appear in the models.

As with the Global Villages, this set shifts from day to night, so, hang around for both.

4. Kansai International Airport

My moment of glee – the planes here taxi around, take off, land, park in their loading bays – and, you can sit above it and watch things move around for ages. The control tower also calls the planes so you can tell which one is going to take off next.

You can also crawl under the display and pop up in the middle as Mr Japlanease is modelling in the picture above!

Obviously, airports aren’t just about planes, so you’ll also find realistic models of the check-in, baggage claim and the ground crew.

5. Evangelion Hanger

Another area based upon an incredibly popular anime series – Evangelion.

This is set in the future. Tokyo as we know it has been wiped out and the survivors live in an area called Tokyo III – which they protect from attacks from a group of monsters called the Angels.

The characters, including lead character Shinji Ikari, fight using giant bio-mechanical suits known as Evangelion – and in this first room, you’ll see how they are fitted and readied for battle (Small Worlds style).

Evangelion fans should not miss peering into the tiny control room, where you’ll spot some of your favourite characters taking command.

When you leave the hangar, you’ll walk into another instantly recognizable area for Evangelion fans – Tokyo III.

6. The Evangelion Room

This is a full mock-up of Tokyo III with incredible details. Areas not to miss finding are Misato’s Condominium, Rei Anayami’s Apartment – and even a replica of the real-life Eva shop in Hakone (where Tokyo III is located in the series).

The model also transforms – when the sirens sound in advance of an Angel’s attack, the city descends under the earth as if it was never there.

As with Sailor Moon, the intricacies of this display kind of escaped me as I don’t know the series that well – but, still the moving city was something I had to watch twice as it’s so cool.

7. The Small Worlds Workshop

From this point, you head out into the Small Worlds workshop and creative studio, where you can see past models, seasonal models, and works in progress. Also, take some time peering at the tiny boxes on the wall, which contain some fun scenes.

When we were there, the staff were very keen to chat about what we thought about the display – and even gave Mr Japlanease some tips for some complicated things he was hoping to 3D print.

8. The ‘New’ Second Floor

Since I visited, a new cafe area has been added to Small Worlds on the second floor, which also has a model area called Nighttime in Japan. This shows scenes of traditional Japan, including fishing villages and the sakura season.

After writing all of this I’ve decided I need to go back again so I’m going to try and get there on my next trip in May 2026 and add some pictures of this new area once I get back.

How Long Should You Spend at Small Worlds?

We were there about 90 minutes – it was not enough. Looking back at our pictures, I realised how many tiny details we missed. You’ll never see everything on one visit, but if (who am I kidding, when) I go again, I’ll slow it down and spend more time pushing every button and peering in more windows.

Another tip, go a bit earlier in the day. One cool extra Small Worlds offers is the chance to have a 3D model of yourself made – and, either taken home, or, even cooler, added to the display, but, by the time we got through the exhibits at about 5pm we didn’t have time to give it a try, so, leave some time for that if you want to make your own model.

What’s That About Models?

Yes, you can go through a 3D body scanner and the Smalls Worlds artists will make a replica of you – and your family if you’re there as a group.

Your model takes about a month to make, so you’ll need to have it posted to you—unless you’re choosing the ‘residency’ package, in which case you get to live in the display for a year.

However, if you get there in the morning and are one of the first to be scanned, you can also choose an express plan that will see your model finished by the next day – so you could come back and take pictures of it.

Even if you don’t choose the residency package, there are places around the display where you can balance your model and take pictures of it in the scenes without having to become a permanent fixture.

A basic model costs just 2000 yen, although prices go up for larger figures. It also costs more if you want to live in the display as a resident, as this also includes an annual pass so you can visit yourself!

Full details of all timings and pricings are on the Small World website.

You’ll find the modelling area beside the shop – which also has some cool exclusive Sailor Moon and Evangelion merchandise.

So is Small Worlds Worth Visiting?

Absolutely yes.

Small World costs 2700 yen for an adult ticket (12-17-year-olds are 1900, 4-11-year-olds are 1400 and 3 and under are free) and for the joy it gave us was an absolute bargain.

It was one of the favorite things I did on my last trip and, if you have kids who like models – or, you’re a big kid with a fond memory of model villages, a love of technology or creativity, or, are just looking for something to do in Tokyo on a rainy day, you should definitely add it to your itinerary.

Oh and for extra adorable points – they have pet days.

Okay, so chances are you won’t have your own dog or cat on holiday with you, but, you can meet other peoples. I’m guessing they don’t let the cats loose in the models, unlike the Cats and Trains restaurant I visited in Osaka.

Is Small Worlds Accessible?

It is, there are slopes and elevators that allow access around the exhibits, but even they admit that it can be a bit hard to navigate some up close views in a wheelchair so, they now have special days where they open up extra pathways through the exhibits.

As I update this in March 2025, these take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month – although double check the website so make sure this is still accurate.

Do You Have to Book in Advance?

No. Despite how fun it is, Small Worlds isn’t usually that busy (probably because not enough people have said how cool it is), so, you don’t need to book in advance (unlike many other Tokyo must-sees).

You can just turn up and buy your tickets on the door – or, if you prefer to have things planned out, or spread your costs, you can buy advanced tickets here.

What Else is Nearby?

Small Worlds quickly became one of our top five things to do in Odaiba and it’s easily combined with a trip to other fun things on the island, or, with a visit to the restaurants at nearby Toyosu Market, although I wouldn’t suggest visiting the market itself (here’s why).

It’s also easily combined with a trip to the new enlarged teamLab Planets. It’s also only a short, easy, train journey from Tokyo Disney making it one of the things you can do on a non-Disney day if you’re staying near the parks.

So, hopefully this review of Small Worlds Tokyo has given you a good feel of what you might find there and if it’s something you should add to your plans. Even though there are quite a few pictures in this post, they don’t even touch the sides of the thousands of buildings and tiny touches you’ll see in the displays.

Sharing is caring!