If you’re a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion (or just love cool anime surprises), there’s a hidden gem waiting for you in the middle of Hamamatsu—a city not far from Mount Fuji and well worth a visit.
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At first glance, Hamamatsu City Hall looks like any other government building. People go there to pay bills, file paperwork, or ask about local services. But step inside the lobby, and you’ll find something totally unexpected…
Meet EVA Unit-01… in a Government Building?!
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That’s right. Right in the city hall lobby, you’ll see a glowing-eyed display of EVA Unit-01, plus life-sized plug suits, posters, and artwork from the world of Evangelion. It’s like a mini pop-up museum, but inside a building where people usually go to do serious stuff.
Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, it’s a fun and weird experience—one of those “Only in Japan” moments where anime culture suddenly appears in everyday life.
Inside the lobby, you’ll see a large model of EVA Unit-01 with glowing eyes—it really stands out! There are also life-sized plug suits worn by Shinji, Rei, and Asuka, along with posters and artwork from the anime. You can take fun photos with NERV-themed backgrounds, and the best part is—it’s all free. No ticket needed, just walk in and enjoy!
Some signs and displays have QR codes you can scan for more info (mostly in Japanese), and sometimes there are small extras like stickers or during special campaigns.
Before visiting, it’s a good idea to check the Hamamatsu City website or look up #浜東エヴァンゲリオン on social media to see if it’s currently open.
The Evangelion Unit-01 statue will be on display in the first-floor lobby of Hamamatsu City Hall from April 20, 2025, to January 25, 2026 (closed during New Year holidays). You can visit on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM, and on weekends or public holidays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Alongside this, a special Tenryu wood monument will also be shown from April 20, 2025, to February 28, 2026, although the exact location may change during the event. During the same period, you can join the “Human Boarding Project 2025” Stamp Rally—a fun collaboration with the Tenryu Hamanako Railway and Enshu Railway.
Travel to different stations and tourist spots (Hamamatsu City Tourist Information Center, Hamamatsu Station Bus Terminal, Enshu Railway Shin-Hamamatsu Station, Saginomiya Station, Nishikajima Station, Tenryu Hamanako Railway Tenryu-Futamata Station, Turntable (located at Tenryu-Futamata Station, a functioning relic from 1940 and a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, offers guided tours where visitors can see it in action and explore Japan’s steam-era railway heritage), Miyakoda Station, Sakume Station, Shinjohara Station, Kakegawa Station, Hamamatsu Castle, Musical Instrument Museum, Kiga Barrier, Kanzanji Temple, Ryotanji Temple, Ryugashido Cavern, Nagasaka Bee Farm, Honda Soichiro Manufacturing Heritage Museum, Akino Fuku Art Museum, Kunma Waterwheel Village) to collect Evangelion-themed stamps. Some places have life-sized character panels or posters, and Eva-themed trains (featuring Unit-01 and Unit-02) run along the line. If you complete the rally, you’ll get a limited-edition sticker as a reward.
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Hamamatsu is in Shizuoka Prefecture, on the JR Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka—super easy to reach by train.
From Hamamatsu Station, it takes about 15 minutes on foot to get to Hamamatsu City Hall (Chūō-ku).
Entry is free, just walk in and enjoy the display!
If the Evangelion display at Hamamatsu City Hall wasn’t already cool enough, fans are in for even more fun with the Evangelion x Tenryū Hamanako Railway collaboration—a limited-time stamp rally event that turns a local train journey into a full-blown anime adventure.
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At various stations along the route, you can collect commemorative stamps featuring Evangelion characters and visuals.
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Hamamatsu has much more to offer beyond Evangelion. You can visit Hamamatsu Castle, a peaceful park and historic site once used by Tokugawa Ieyasu—it's even featured in the TV drama SHOGUN (https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/hamamatsu-castle.php). For music lovers, the Museum of Musical Instruments is a fun and educational stop, especially great for families (https://www.inhamamatsu.com/art/museum-of-Musical-Instruments.php). You can also head up to the Act Tower, the tallest building in the city, to enjoy stunning panoramic views (https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/act-tower.php).
And don’t miss the local food—Hamamatsu is famous for its delicious eel (unagi) and gyoza dumplings (https://www.inhamamatsu.com/eat/). For a relaxing ride through the countryside, hop on the Tenryu Hamanako Line, a scenic local train that winds through western Hamamatsu and connects to many sightseeing spots along the way (https://www.inhamamatsu.com/recommend/tenryu-hamanako-railroad.php). If you're not sure where to begin, check out the Recommended Itineraries section on the site for suggested routes and ideas to plan your perfect day in Hamamatsu. (https://www.inhamamatsu.com/recommend/tenryu-hamanako-railroad.php#:~:text=Recommended%20Course!!)
Final Tip: Don’t Forget to Snap a Pic!
If you check out the Evangelion display, take a photo and share it with the tag:
#HamamatsuEvangelion
You’ll be joining fans from around the world who’ve discovered this unique anime surprise in one of the most unexpected places.
Because let’s be honest—how often do you get to see a giant mecha in a government office?
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