Tomica Built Life-Size Versions of Its Toy Cars—and Almost Everyone Missed Them

A Collector’s Dream, in Miniature or Metal

For one-percenters or those extremely wealthy, a garage filled with exotics would be the perfect collection. For the rest of us mere mortals, Tomica diecast models would be the next best thing. The Japanese company is actually celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, and to commemorate this milestone, it has released legendary scale models from five Japanese automakers.

The best part? Their life-sized counterparts were present at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, and it might be the coolest display at the event that everyone missed.

Partnering with Takara Tomy, the Japan Mobility Show hosted a full Tomica exhibition and store – a nostalgic corner for adults and kids alike. But fronting the toy displays were the actual, drivable inspirations of the “Tomica 55th Anniversary Auto Manufacturer Collaboration Project.” It’s not every day you see a Mitsubishi Delica Mini Ralliart and a Honda Civic Type R wearing special Tomica 55th Anniversary designs in full scale.

Finding the Hidden Treasure Upstairs

The Tomica corner is located on the topmost floor of the huge Tokyo Big Sight, nestled within the area dedicated to kids, so we won’t fault anyone who missed the spot. Past the EV startups and hydrogen demos, it felt like walking into a toybox built for grown-ups.

The five featured models were grouped together under bright lights, each one carrying unique Tomica 55th Anniversary Edition graphics: Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO, Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo, Honda Civic Type R, Mitsubishi Delica Mini, and Suzuki Jimny.

Up close, the detailing was spot on – playful, sharp, and oddly reverent. The GR Supra GT4 EVO had a motorsport feel with clean red-and-white accents, while the Delica Mini was just unapologetically cute, even while wearing its Ralliart livery and in 1:1 scale. The Jimny, with its iconic boxy design, is wrapped in Suzuki’s interpretation of adventure.

A Celebration Beyond Mini Cars

Tomica’s display went beyond nostalgia. It showed how Tomica fosters a connection or a bridge between generations – kids who see cars as toys, and adults who grew up collecting them. The exhibit also featured a larger 2025 lineup for the brand, including new Tomica+ playsets designed for adults, the Plarail Block series for children, and a revamped Tomica Shop in Tokyo.

Fifty-five years later, Tomica’s charm still lies in scale and spirit – whether you hold it in your palm or stand beside it. Unfortunately, the Tomica 55th Anniversary Models aren’t available for purchase at the show, which means there’s another shop added to my itinerary while I’m here.