While I’m not a fan of theme parks, I make an exception for a Showa theme park and museum. They’re a vibrant, wonderfully kitschy explosion of retro design, pop culture gems, and all the old-school toys your nostalgic heart might remember (or wish you did!), bringing together all the iconic paraphernalia of that era into one vibrant place.
Spanning 1926 to 1989, the Showa Emperor’s long reign defined an era of profound change in Japan, from post-war recovery to its remarkable economic boom up to the end of the 80s. For many, this period evokes an equally powerful sense of nostalgia. And for me, a foreigner experiencing it only through the lens of old movies I’d watched, it’s like a half-remembered dream, sparking a curious longing.
It’s similar to the nostalgic comfort you get from listening to an Elvis tune or a classic by the Four Tops. Or, if you are a 90s kid like me, it’s the familiar sounds of TLC and Mariah blasting from an old CD player or a well-worn cassette.
So, what better way to celebrate the Showa Emperor’s birthday than to dive into the wonderfully retro world of Showa-themed destinations in Japan?
1. Showa no Machi in Bungo Takada, Oita Prefecture
My deep dive into Japan’s Showa era kicked off in Bungo-Takada, Oita Prefecture, at Showa no Machi. Imagine a shopping street that’s not just for browsing, but also a series of fascinating museums housed in renovated old warehouses, each telling a different story of the Showa years.
Since that initial visit, Showa no Machi has blossomed into a sprawling, multi-building immersive adventure. Think a retro toy museum with over 300,000 treasures, a whimsical miniature shopping street packed with tiny recreated Showa-era stores – barbershops, candy stores, the works! There’s even an old wooden schoolroom, and a full-scale Showa house brought to life with realistic sound and light that cycles through the hours of a typical day.
For a delightful modern twist (and a huge hit with kids), they even have a small TeamLab exhibit. Color in one of the silhouettes on paper with crayons provided at the venue, then watch as your creation comes alive on a big screen. It’s seriously fun for all ages.
The town of Bungo-Takada itself feels like a preserved snapshot of the Showa period. Its heart sits mainly on three streets, with the main Shin-machi-dori street about 500 meters long. Strolling down the shopping streets, with their amber and green lamps, you’ll still find some of the original businesses standing alongside more contemporary restaurants and shops, creating this wonderful blend of past and present.
While the various attractions have separate entry fees, I highly recommend opting for the package ticket for easy access to everything this incredible museum has to offer.
2. Yufuin Showakan in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture
While exploring the very touristy Yunotsubo Street in Oita prefecture, be sure to step into this wonderful retro museum at Yufuin Showakan. The first floor recreates a charming old shopping street with barber shops and children’s stores, but the more recently updated second floor was what really set this Showa museum apart for me.
There’s a small cinema, a music display, and a video arcade room where you can actually play old-school pinball and those classic TV consoles that used cassette games. (Cassette games, anyone? …Right, maybe it’s just me.)
3. Pokopen Yokocho (Market) in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture
While perhaps not as grand as its counterparts, Ozu City’s Pokopen Yokocho Market is a wonderful discovery for Showa lovers. This indoor museum has a miniature shopping street, a peek inside a traditional Showa-era home (complete with a porcelain toilet!), and an interesting Coca-Cola-themed room (maybe not the most thematically consistent, but hey, someone out there is loving it).
Come Sunday, the market expands outdoors, featuring wooden stalls that sell vintage towels, small gemstones, and retro clocks. I recently took my friend from Canada, who designs logos, and was utterly obsessed with the enamel signs leading up to the museum – a true feast for retro design inspiration!
Are you tempted to take a nostalgic side trip to these incredible Showa-era streets and museums? As Golden Week unfolds across Japan, I hope you take a detour from the usual temples and modern marvels to explore one of these meticulously recreated Showa-era streets and museums.
Finally, if there are any Showa-era destinations I should include in this list, let me know in the comments below. For now, happy travels and happy reminiscing!
-Mika
