3 Top RC Car Companies from Japan: Tamiya, Kyosho, and Yokomo

Ever since radio controlling technologies was developed more than 100 years ago, once military use technology has been civilized for toys and hobbies such as RC drones. RC cars, however, remain
popular merchandises among others. Japanese RC-car manufacturers have been noted for their pursuit of reality and reliability. This feature introduces major RC car makers in Japan and their representative
popular series.

Search results for “RC Cars” on Yahoo! Japan Shopping

Major Types of RC Cars

RC cars can be categorized by both the style of delivery and the power source types.

Package Types

Assembly Kit

It is the most widespread type of Japanese RC cars. When you buy Kit types, however, be sure to check how much of RC car components can be available with the particular kit. Some of them might be sold separately or optional.

Ready to Run (RTR)

Pre-assembled car for immediate use. Japanese RC car makers also accommodates this types with its growing market scale targeted for advanced kit RC car fans.

Power Types

Electric Models

It uses electric or mechanical controller to adjust the speed of the car and is loaded with battery-powered motor.

Nitro-powered Models

It is a fuel-powered RC car with nitro methane engine usually larger than electrically-powered cars.

Gas-powered Models

RC cars which run on mixture of gasoline and oil.

Three Japanese Makers of RC Cars

There are three major PC car makers in Japan.

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Tamiya (Shizuoka)

Tamiya is one of the leading manufacturers of plastic model kits based in Shizuoka. Tamiya has been manufacturing RC cars since 1976. Although most of its RC cars are delivered as assembly kits, it also has RTR models such as XB series.

Kyosho (Atsugi)

Kyosho based in Atsugi deals with both electric and engine models. It also deals with larger models such as 1/5 and 1/7 in scale. Its flagship series include Inforno which has the reputation for winning races.

Yokomo (Tokyo)

Renowned for RC cars for races and mainstream items are 1/10 electric models. It is best known by Drift Package Series.

Tamiya Electric RC Car Series

One of Tamiya’s most popular long-running RC car series. Other than RC car kits you will need to buy radio-control system set to run them. One of the most popular RC system is Finespec 2.4G Radio Control System. Many of the items are 1/10 in scale but some of them are much more reduced such as 1/14 or 1/18 models.

Kyosho Inferno Series

Inferno Series, some of the most popular buggy series with engines, are based on RC buggies which won a number of championships. Mainstream items are 1/8 in scale giving you more sense of reality than the smaller counterparts. RTR models are also available.

Yokomo Drift Package Series

Drift Package Series is one of the signature product lines of Yokomo enabling the drift-drive as we see in the race courses. It is an assembly kit in 1/10 scale equipped with 4WD Double-Wishbone Suspension, High-Efficiency Shaft Drive and Fulltime 4WD system which realize the race-like drive performance. They run electrically and can be honed up with the tuning by optional parts.

After Word

RC cars give you the excitement even drones may not. Assemble the car of your dream, run the car and join the races. Japanese RC car giants surely enrich your hobby life.

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