Tag: Sights to See

Review of nanoblock The Grand Hotel Taipei NBH_096

November 27, 2025November 29, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock The Grand Hotel Taipei build. The Grand Hotel Taipei is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_096

Country: Taiwan

Number of Pieces: 1030

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This kit came with a Grand Hotel sticker with a number, so I’m assuming this kit was a limited run and was only available in Taiwan.

This kit comes with 2 20×20 base plates that are each built separately, and then the plates are connected.

The first plate contains the hotel building.

I began by laying out the base layer of bricks to create the foundation of the building. I needed to keep track of the number of spaces in gaps carefully.

The building goes up in a pattern. There are 2 layers of bricks with columns, then a roof layer. This repeats 5 times.

Then, I began to build the roof. There are a couple more layers to create a top of the main structure.

Then I built the roof. The roof was a bit tricky because I had a hard time knowing what a previous layer was and what an older layer was, so I wasn’t sure where to start a given layer.

The second plate is the front plaza and a gate.

I began by laying out the base layer of bricks which includes grass and columns.

Then, I built the gate. It was fairly straightforward, with clear instructions. I just needed to be careful to keep the bottom of the square bricks properly aligned.

Then, I added the trees in the courtyard.

The final step was to connect the bases. It was just a pair of 1×2 bricks, so the bases were heavy, so it was hard to move the finished build around without the bases coming apart.

Things I liked:

I really like the size of the build and that it can be used on the LED plates

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t find the instructions for the roof to be very clear and could have been much clearer

Review of nanoblock Sagrada Familia Transparent ver NBH_005R

November 20, 2025November 29, 2024shygal

Sagrada Familia Transparent ver build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Sagrada Familia Transparent ver build. Sagrada Familia Transparent ver is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_005R

Country: Spain

Number of Pieces: 510

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

Sagrada Familia Transparent ver build front view

This kit was one of the transparent versions that were released for nanoblock’s 10th anniversary. This kit is special because most of the bricks in the kit are transparent and come in unique colors.

Sagrada Familia Transparent ver build side view

This kit begins by laying a layer of brown bricks out on a clear yellow base.

I was surprised that most of the building was built in the center of the brown base. It builds in fairly straightforward layers. It was a bit tricky to tell which bricks to use in some steps.

Next, there is a step that adds some stair-looking things to the back. In the next steps, the steps are locked into place. When I built the back of the building, the bricks bent, so I needed to do more work to keep them in place.

Sagrada Familia Transparent ver build back view

The next step is to build the center section of the tower. I had some problems lining up the center section when I added it to my base section.

Next, some small details are added to the front section of the building.

The final step is to add the 4 spires. Building the spires was fairly straightforward. I had run out of square 1x1s, so I used round ones instead. I bought this kit used so I’m not sure if the bricks were lost or if I used square bricks where there should have been round ones.

Sagrada Familia Transparent ver build front 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I really like the clear bricks that were created for this kit. It makes the kit for special

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t like that I was missing bricks, but I knew that was a risk getting a used kit

Review of nanoblock Burj Khalifa NBH_122

November 13, 2025November 29, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Burj Khalifa build. Burj Khalifa is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_122

Country: UAE (United Arab Emirates)

Number of Pieces: 550

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

The build begins by preparing the base layer. This consists of laying out bricks on the 20×20 clear base.

Then, I began to build the actual tower. Each step has the instructions to add 3 layers to the tower. Overall, the steps were very straightforward. however, I had two difficulties.

First, since the entire tower is built of rounded bricks sometimes the layer wasn’t completely square. I caught this as it happened and was able to squeeze the layer back to square.

The second problem was that in some steps, there was a step in so the lower layer was the top. Generally, it was fairly clear, but I sometimes had a hard time keeping each layer lined up.

After building the main body of the tower there are some bricks to add the final height to the tower.

Things I liked:

I like the use of the dark grey every few layers to add some variation to the building

Things I didn’t like:

I’m not sure if the green on the base is accurate

Review of nanoblock Tokyo Tower NBH_090

November 6, 2025November 29, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Tokyo Tower build. Tokyo Tower is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_090

Country: Japan

Number of Pieces: 280

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This is at least the second version of Tokyo Tower. The original is NBH_001. This kit has a gap in the bottom base so it can be used with one of the LED plates.

This kit begins by preparing the base plate. It consists of laying out green on a clear 20×20 baseplate. There is a gap in the green so that the light from the LED baseplate could come through.

The next few steps create the bottom of the tower and the building directly under the tower.

This build is unusual because each section of the building is built off the base and connected.

The first section is to build the base of the tower, which goes from 4 separate legs to 1 tower. I really liked how the arches were built.

The next section is building the rest of the tower. Each step is very straightforward. I like the amount of detail in each layer.

Note: I didn’t include the trees around the base. I don’t like how the trees look, so I left them off.

Things I liked:

I really like how the points where the legs become one tower

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t like the trees, so I left them off

Review of nanoblock Himeji Castle NBH_099

October 30, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Himeji Castle build. Himeji Castle is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_099

Country: Japan

Number of Pieces: 330

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

This build begins by laying the outline of the castle and wall on the baseplate.

The next steps are adding a couple layers of bricks to create the castle and the wall.

The next steps are to add the large walls on the side of the building. These use dark grey to create the roof details on the walls. Each step also adds a layer to the castle building.

Then, a couple more layers are added to the castle before starting on the roof.

The next several steps are to create the light grey roof.

The last step was to add the trees to the baseplate. I didn’t add them when the instructions said to because I knew I would keep knocking them off when I was building the rest of the building.

This kit also came with nanoids, but I didn’t include them because I knew they didn’t match the scale.

Things I liked:

I like the various shades of grey that are used to add details to the build

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t love how the tower at the wall corner doesn’t line up with either of the walls

Review of nanoblock Classic Camera NBH_076

October 23, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Classic Camera build. Classic Camera is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_076

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

The box says Bic Camera Limited. I believe that this kit was only available at limited stores.

I began the build by laying out the base layer of bricks on my nanoblock pad. Then I added the second layer of bricks which connected the base layer together.

Then, I began to build up the camera’s sides. This means that the actual camera is hollow.

After adding a couple of layers to the sides, I built and added the base of the lens.

Then, I followed the clear directions to build the rest of the side of the camera and the lens.

Then, it was time to add the top and close the build-up. This was by far the most difficult part of the build. My build even exploded the first time, and I needed to restart.

The problem with the build comes from the fact that the back is offset. This means there is a wall of bricks that aren’t connected. While I was building, it tried to pop out. The hard part was making sure that when the camera back pops back in. The first time, it wasn’t lined up, so when I pushed down, the whole roof collapsed, causing the bricks to explode.

The final few steps are adding the details to the top of the camera.

Things I liked:

I really like how the details make the build look like a miniature camera

Things I didn’t like:

I didn’t enjoy it when my build exploded while I was building it

Review of nanoblock Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile NBH_075

October 16, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile build. Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_075

Country: France

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build front view

I bought this kit used to all the bricks were combined into 1 bag. The fact that all the bricks were combined made building more difficult because it was hard to tell the difference between grey and dark grey. Most of the bricks are dark grey, and the grey is only used in 1 step.

The build begins by laying out the 4 base columns on the 20×20 base plate.

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build side view

The 4 columns are built in very straightforward layers. In the layers, the details on the inside of the arch and statues around the outside.

Then, the columns are connected in pairs by building a structure for the main building. Then, there are 2 columns.

The 2 columns continue to go up. In several steps, the instructions say where to start the layer, which is unusual but a very nice detail.

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build back view

Then, the 2 columns are connected to create the roof of the Arch. It goes up in layers. The layers switch off between dark grey and cream. At one point, the layer uses grey bricks instead of the dark grey.

The Arc de tiomphe de l’Etoile is in the center of a giant roundabout. I don’t remember there being trees or street lights in the center of the roundabout, so I left them out of the build.

Arc de tiomphe de l'Etoile build front 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I liked how the instructions included where to start a layer. This made it easier to keep things lined up.

Things I didn’t like:

I found it hard to tell the difference between the 2 greys, which means rebuilding the kit would be hard unless I was super careful taking the build apart in the first place

Review of nanoblock Big Tree NBH_006

October 9, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Big Tree build. Big Tree is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_006

Country: USA

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

I’m honestly not sure what “Big Tree” nanoblock is referring to with this build. I live in the USA, and there are no particular trees that I know of that have national significance.

The build begins with laying out the base bricks for the 4 trees.

The next step is a pull out set of instructions to build the main body of the tree. This is the main section of the build. The base was too large for my nanoblock pad, so I laid the bricks out on the table. It took several layers for everything to all be locked into place. Once everything was connected, the rest of the tree became very straightforward.

Under the cut there is a small build in the small direction to build the trunk to connect the tree to the base. I almost missed it while I was building the tree.

The next step is to build the 3 trees in the background. The trunks are simple towers of bricks. The tops of the tree are a little tricky to build because the instructions are so cramped. I’m not sure that I got them perfect, but I know that it at least gets the point across.

There are instructions on how to build a bunch of nanoids. I didn’t include them because I’m unsure if they fit the scale of the tree.

Things I liked:

I really enjoyed building the main body of the tree. It starts as a ring with a cross in the middle and ends up in a hollow, closed dome.

Things I didn’t like:

Overall, I felt the instructions were very cramped. I wish they had been printed front and back, but this was before nanoblock was printing double-sided directions

Review of nanoblock Tokyo Tower Transparent ver NBH_001R

October 2, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build and box

This post is a review of the nanoblock Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build. Tokyo Tower Transparent ver is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_001R

Country: Japan

Number of Pieces: 260

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build front view

This is a rerelease of the original Tokyo Tower (NBH_001). It was released using clear red bricks for nanoblock’s 10 anniversary.

The build began by laying bricks out on the base. This includes some tree trucks, the supports for the tower, and the building under the tower.

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build side view

The next few steps add to the supports of the tower and create the building under the tower. I didn’t add the treetops at this point because I didn’t want to need to look out for the tree while I was building the tower.

The next couple steps of the build require building a structure of the tower and then adding that structure to the tower. There is also a tower of dark grey bricks going up the tower’s center. I don’t like how visible the grey bricks are.

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build back view

After adding 3 structures that were built off the tower, it is time to finish the tower. The instructions for each layer are very clear.

The last step for me was to put the tops of the trees.

Tokyo Tower Transparent ver build 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I really like the clear red bricks and how they changed the color to create the tower

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like how visible the center dark grey tower is in the build

Review of nanoblock Schloss Neuschwanstein NBH_106

September 25, 2025November 28, 2024shygal

This post is a review of the nanoblock Schloss Neuschwanstein build. Schloss Neuschwanstein is part of the nanoblock Sights to See collection. Wondering what else is part of the Sights to See collection? Click here for a list.

Number: NBH_106

Country: Germany

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

This is an update of Schloss Neuschwanstein NBH_010. It includes newer bricks such as round 2×2 and a clear blue base.

This build could be lit using one of the LED base plates because it is on a clear blue base. If it was on an LED base, all the windows in the castle would light up.

The build begins by laying the green base layer out on the 20×20 base plate. A bit of the center section remains uncovered which is why I think that putting it on the LED baseplate would light the windows. There are a couple layers of green grass to represent the hill the castle is on. Then, there are a couple of layers of grey castle foundation.

While I was building the actual castle, I needed to be careful to check each instruction for when there were additional bricks scattered around that build that needed to be added. Sometimes, I missed the bricks and needed to go back and add them in when I noticed.

Then, I began adding the layers of the actual castle. In general, there are 2 kinds of layers. 1 layer is solid white, and the other alternates between white and clear bricks. Each layer is very clear and straightforward. I just needed to be careful to not lose my place while going between the directions and the build.

Schloss Neuschwanstein build front 3/4 view

After several layers to create the walls of the castle it is time to add the roof. The roof is navy blue with gold details. White is also added to finish the main body of the castle.

After the roof is added, the final details are added to the towers on the side of the castle. The towers start at the beginning of the build and rise until they are the highest point in the building.

Schloss Neuschwanstein build back 3/4 view

Things I liked:

I like the update. I feel that the towers are a lot more stable and clear than the original version

Things I didn’t like:

I don’t like how the instructions kept cutting more out of the picture. It made it hard to see when to add bricks around the outside