Last updated: May 9, 2025
It all began with Showa no Machi, my first taste of Japan’s retro landscape, which sparked a genuine desire to uncover more Showa-era-inspired parks and museums in Japan. This town in Bungo Takada (not to be mistaken for Bungo Takeda), on the edge of the ancient spiritual stomping grounds of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture, is home to Showa no Machi (昭和の町), a meticulously preserved district of streets and museums that vividly recreates the Showa period.
From 1926 to 1989, the Showa era encompassed an extraordinary transformation, from pre-war Japan through World War II and into the vibrant bubble of the 80s, evoking a powerful nostalgia for those who lived during those years in Japan.
As the weather warmed, I decided to play tourist and explore more of what Oita Prefecture offered as a travel destination, where I spent my first few years teaching English, and finally visited the town of Bungo Takada.
Showa Roman Gura (昭和ロマン蔵)
At the heart of Showa no Machi is Showa Roman Gura (昭和ロマン蔵). Once a rice storehouse built in 1935 by a wealthy business owner, it has now been renovated into a three-sectioned Showa-themed museum, comprised of the Dagashiya Dream Museum, Showa no Machi Yumemachi 3-chome, and TeamLab Gallery Showa no Machi.
Each section has its own attractions, including a museum of Showa-era toys, an indoor arcade designed like an old Showa-era street, a Showa-era classroom, and a replica house in an enclosed room with lights that cycle through a regular day in the Showa era.
Outside, I admired the display of retro cars and bicycles before passing under the giant blue robot that appears to be crashing through the cement wall of the entrance, into the central portion of Showa Roman Gura: its toy museum at Dagashiya Dream Museum.
Dagashiya Dream Museum (駄菓子屋の夢博物館)
The Dagashiya Dream Museum, whose Japanese name “Dakashiya no Yume Museum” (駄菓子屋の夢博物館) charmingly translates to Candy Shop Dream Museum, is a true trove of Japanese nostalgia, with its immense collection of over 300,000 toys, old painted movie posters, and models. Any retro toy or design enthusiast could spend hours browsing through the gallery before going up to the second-story balcony for the old painted movie posters.
Beyond the toy displays, Showa Roman Gura continues alongside a miniature indoor arcade shopping street filled with tiny recreated Showa-era stores, featuring scaled-down facades of candy shops, a beauty parlor, a dentist’s office, and even an old classroom that I could enter and interact with.
Showa no Yumechi 3 Chrome Hall (昭和の夢町三丁目館)
Next, in the Showa no Yumechi 3 Chrome Hall area, is a space designed to fully immerse you in the Showa era, recreating the lifestyles and classrooms of the 1950s and 60s.
One of the most recent additions to the Showa Roman Gura is what I will call the ‘Showa Day‘ room, located in the Showa no Yumechi 3 Chrome Hall (昭和の夢町三丁目館).
This immersive space features an entirely constructed Showa-era residence, complete with a kitchen, living area, and a traditional Goemonburo cauldron bath.
The room’s synchronized lighting takes you through the daily rhythms of the era, transitioning from dawn to midday, finally leading into a glittering night sky filled with stars. Accompanied by the soundtrack of morning birds and the lively chatter of townspeople alongside the chirping crickets at night, it feels as if you could almost imagine what the Showa era was like.
Team Lab Gallery Showa no Machi (チームラボギャラリー昭和の町)
A striking contrast to the retro vibes is a vibrant TeamLab installation within this Showa museum. If you’re familiar with their work, you know TeamLab is a Japanese art collective famous for their immersive, light-filled digital experiences, beautifully blurring the lines between art and technology to create stunningly interactive spaces. This particular exhibit is especially fantastic for Japan travel with kids! Here, in the enchanting ‘Drawing Meadow Dance’ (お絵かき草地おどり), my own colourful doodles sprang to life across a projection screen.
I chose a paper figure, grabbed some crayons, and let my creativity flow. After handing it to the staff, I watched as my drawing materialized onto the large projected screen, wandering across a vast digital grassland with the sunset of Matama Beach in Oita as its backdrop. Each time I touched my little digital figure against the wall, it reacted with surprise, performing all sorts of fun actions. When the music started, the once-wandering figures burst into a synchronized and joyful Kusaji Odori dance. It’s the kind of simple joy that everyone, regardless of age, can appreciate.
Showa Retro Fashion Experience
A recent addition to the Showa no Machi experience lets you try on authentic Showa retro fashion. Just outside the Showa Roman Gura entrance, you’ll find a stylish glass-encased area showcasing a fun selection of vintage clothing, perfect for fully immersing yourself in the Showa vibe.
Restaurant Shunsai Minamikura (レストラン「旬彩」南蔵)
If you’re hungry, behind the retro fashion store lies Restaurant Shunsai Minamikura, a spacious venue specializing in authentic Japanese cuisine using fresh ingredients from the Kunisaki Peninsula.
(P.S. I haven’t dined here yet, but let me know if you visit.)
Explore the Authentic Shopping Streets of Showa no Machi
While Showa Roman Gura offers an immediate immersion into the past, the main street of Shinmachi-dori shopping street (新町通り商店街), lined with original Showa-era buildings, feels more like a realistic snapshot of the Showa period.
The walkable town features a compact shopping street area lit by amber and green street lamps illuminating its short, intersecting paths, including a main street that stretches about 550 meters, with signs marking the entrances lit in the evening. A stroll through these shopping streets reveals a fascinating mix: original businesses standing strong alongside contemporary restaurants and shops.
Coffee Brazil Showa
Among these, Coffee Brazil Showa (@coffee.brazil.showa) is one where I stopped in to really soak up the nostalgic atmosphere. Housed in a century-old building that used to be a kimono shop, the owner’s passion for art and gourmet cuisine shines through in the masterfully crafted coffee and cream soda float, which features a unique vanilla ice cream blend that’s rare to find elsewhere!
In short, Showa no Machi is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience Japan’s captivating Showa era firsthand. It’s truly one of the most unique things to do in Oita! Whether you’re traveling with kids or simply exploring Oita Prefecture, it’s a fantastic day out. Bungo Takada’s Showa no Machi sparked my own appreciation for this nostalgic period and has set me on a path to see as many others like it during my travels in Japan.
If this has sparked your interest in the retro nostalgia of Japan, check out my other top Showa era destinations that I’ve stumbled upon! The Retro World of Showa-Themed Museums and Parks in Japan
How to Get to Bungo Takada
The nearest train station is Usa Station, about a 10-minute drive to Showa no Machi.
To reach Bungo Takada from Hakata (Fukuoka), take the express train on the Nippo Main Line to Usa Station, which takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. If you are starting from Oita Station, the express train to Usa Station takes approximately 40 minutes. From Usa Station, you can either take a taxi, which takes about 10 minutes to reach Bungo Takada, or you can take a bus bound for Bungo Takada or Imi. In this case, get off at the Bungo Takada Bus Terminal, which takes around 10 minutes.
Visit the official Bungo Takada Showa no Machi website for more information about events and admission fees.
Know of other great Showa-inspired places? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
Where was Himitsu no Akko chan?
I didn’t see her, but they were playing the opening theme song on speakers!!!