Evangelion at Hamamatsu City Hall?! Only in Japan!



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.


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?!



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.

What Can You See?

• A head-and-shoulders model of EVA Unit-01, complete with glowing eyes

• Plug suits worn by Shinji, Rei, and Asuka (life-size!)

• Posters and design artwork from the anime

• Photo spots with cool NERV-themed backgrounds

• Free admission – no ticket needed!


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 postcards during special campaigns.


This isn’t a permanent exhibit—it appears during limited times. It often shows up during:

• City events or anime promotions

• Local festivals

• Evangelion anniversaries or movie releases


Before visiting, it’s a good idea to check the Hamamatsu City website or look up #浜松エヴァンゲリオン on social media to see if it’s currently open.



Hamamatsu is in Shizuoka Prefecture, on the JR Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka—super easy to reach by train.

From Hamamatsu Station, walk about 10–15 minutes to Hamamatsu City Hall (Chūō-ku).

The building is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM.

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.



The local Tenryū Hamanako Line, which runs west from Hamamatsu Station along the lake, has been wrapped in Evangelion designs—including EVA Unit-01 and Unit-02 artwork on the trains. At various stations along the route, you can collect commemorative stamps featuring Evangelion characters and visuals.



Visit participating stations and tourist sites to collect exclusive stamps

Each location on the map features Evangelion-themed attractions or artwork

Some stations even have life-size character panels or posters

A fully themed Eva-wrapped train runs along the route (look for Unit-01!)

Once you complete the rally, you can redeem your stamps for limited-edition goods (stickers, postcards, or collectible items—depending on the campaign)


What Else Can You Do in Hamamatsu?

There’s more to this city than Evangelion:

• Hamamatsu Castle – A peaceful park with cherry blossoms in spring

                 https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/hamamatsu-castle.php


• Museum of Musical Instruments – Great for families and music lovers

               Museum of Musical Instruments


• Act Tower – Tallest building in the city with awesome views of the city

                https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/act-tower.php


• Lots of tasty local food, especially eel (unagi) and gyoza

                https://www.inhamamatsu.com/eat/



So even if you came for the Eva, you’ll want to stick around and explore more!


Final Tip: Don’t Forget to Snap a Pic!


If you do check out the Evangelion display, take a photo and share it online with the tag:

#HamamatsuEvangelion

You’ll be joining fans from all over the world who’ve found this little 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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