Hi everyone,
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I’ve been down a bit of a rabbit hole lately with something I stumbled across: the Billy miniature kits from Japan. These kits recreate traditional Japanese street scenes—think little ramen stalls, candy shops, or even a Kyoto-style pickle shop—and they’re incredibly detailed. I saw a few posts on Reddit and Pinterest, and let’s just say... I’m intrigued.
They seem a bit different from the usual DIY kits we talk about here. A lot of the designs are based on Showa-era buildings or quiet side streets in Kyoto. I especially love how specific they are—like you’re recreating a memory rather than just a generic house.
I haven’t bought one yet, but I found this video on YouTube showing a build of a Japanese sweet shop, and I thought some of you might enjoy it too:
From what I’ve seen, the instructions are in Japanese (not a surprise), but the diagrams are usually pretty clear. If you ever get stuck, apps like Google Translate can be really handy—just point your phone at the text and it’ll do a decent job of translating. Also, I’d recommend laying out all the pieces in advance, especially with these highly detailed kits. Labeling or grouping similar parts with sticky notes can save a lot of time later.
Where can you find them?
If you’re in Japan, apparently stores like Tokyu Hands (especially in Shibuya), Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, and some model train shops stock them.
Outside Japan, I’ve only seen them occasionally on Amazon or AliExpress. The stock can be limited and the prices vary, so it’s worth keeping an eye out and checking seller reviews before you buy.
Curious: has anyone here ever built one of these Billy kits?
What was your experience like? I’d love to hear how you found the assembly process and whether you’d recommend it to others in the miniatures community. Photos welcome, of course! 😊
Thanks in advance—looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Happy crafting!
Lizzy
