Kaido House Explained: Jun Imai's Street-Build Line with Mini GT
The story of former Hot Wheels designer Jun Imai, what Kaido means, and the Kaido House x Mini GT models collectors want most.
Written by
Rarewaalt Team
Reading time
2 min
Updated
5 Oct 2026
If you have seen a pearl-white Datsun 510 with wide flares and a deep stance in a 1:64 display, there is a good chance it was a Kaido House car. Created by former Hot Wheels designer Jun Imai, Kaido House has become one of the most sought-after names in premium diecast.
Who is Jun Imai?
Jun Imai studied transportation design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and spent 14 years at Mattel designing Hot Wheels. He became the designer collectors associated with Japanese cars, responsible for castings such as the:
- Toyota AE86 and Toyota 2000GT
- Datsun 510 and Datsun 620 pickup
- Mazda RX-7 and the Fairlady roadster
- Several generations of Nissan Skyline
He also designed non-Japanese favourites such as the Fox-body Mustang, Buick Grand National and E30 BMW M3. Imai left Mattel in May 2018. A car guy first, he builds and modifies his own Datsuns at home — and that passion became Kaido House.
What is Kaido House?
Kaido (街道) is Japanese for "highway". Imai founded Kaido House after leaving Mattel to celebrate the street-tuned Japanese cars he loves: old-school Datsuns, Skylines and Hondas, built with wide flares, period racing parts and bold liveries.
Unlike standard licensed models that copy a factory car, Kaido House cars are original builds — each one imagines how a street racer or tuner might have modified the car. That design-led approach is what sets the line apart.
Kaido House x Mini GT
Kaido House's best-known models are made in partnership with [Mini GT](/brands/mini-gt), which produces them in 1:64 with Mini GT's premium standards: die-cast bodies, rubber tyres and sharp printing. Releases are boxed under the Kaido House name and carry their own catalogue numbers (typically starting KHMG).
Signature Kaido House models include:
| Model | Why collectors want it |
|---|---|
| Datsun 510 (Pro Street, Street, Racing, Wagon versions) | The car most associated with Imai; many liveries and chase variants |
| Nissan Skyline builds | Classic Japanese performance with Kaido styling |
| Honda Civic (Kaido Works) | Period Honda race-car look |
Chase versions, often in special colours such as pearl white, are produced in much smaller numbers and trade at a premium.
Why Kaido House matters
- Designer-led: a real Hot Wheels veteran designs every car.
- Story-driven: each model is a "build" with its own personality.
- Premium quality: made with Mini GT's 1:64 standards.
- Limited: small runs and chases keep values strong.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Kaido House?
Kaido House is Jun Imai's brand. Its 1:64 models are produced in partnership with Mini GT.
What does Kaido mean?
Kaido means "highway" in Japanese, a nod to Japanese street and tuner culture.
Is Kaido House the same as Mini GT?
No. Kaido House is a separate design brand, but its 1:64 cars are made with Mini GT, so they share the same scale and build quality.
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