Visit Oita

Showa Retro refers to places and things that give off the atmosphere of Japan's mid-Showa period (1950s to 1970s). It is characterized by bright colors and a mix of Japanese and Western designs. Symbolic items include cassette tapes, analog records, film cameras, flower-patterned cups, coffee shop parfaits and cream sodas, etc. Nostalgic Showa goods are enjoying a new revival and gaining popularity in Japan and abroad.

In Bungo Takada City, there is a 550-meter-long shopping street called “Bungo Takada Showa Town,” where stores that reproduce such Showa-era retro atmosphere are located. Let's enjoy walking around the town while feeling the Showa era.

 "Showa Roman Gura (Showa Romantic Collection) ", a landmark of the town, rents out Showa-style dresses and men's clothing. The store has an array of dresses with bold patterns, floral patterns, and vivid colors that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to shirts, trousers, and skirts, they also have accessories such as bags and hats, so you can choose your favorites and coordinate them together. Dress up and enjoy a stroll through the retro Showa Retro town.

"Showa Romantic Collection" is a museum where visitors can encounter the nostalgia of the Showa period, housed in a renovated rice warehouse owned by a zaibatsu (a corporate group run by a wealthy family) that was one of Oita Prefecture's wealthiest merchants. The “Showa Yumemachi 3-chome Building” allows visitors to experience a Showa-era shopping street, house, and elementary school, and the “Candy Shop Dream Museum” is a stunning spot with a large collection of nostalgic candy and retro toys and posters, The “Drawing Kusachi Dance” permanent exhibition by the technologist group “TeamLab,” and “Restaurant ‘Shunsai’ Minamikura,” a renovated rice warehouse where visitors can enjoy healthy meals made with local ingredients. Restaurant “Shunsai” Minamikura, which was renovated from a rice warehouse and offers healthy meals made from local ingredients.

“Showa Romance bonnet bus” was born on May 13, 1957. It usually stops in front of the Showa Romantic Collection. The bus takes passengers on a 15-minute tour of Showa Town and other areas, mainly on weekends and holidays. Before departure, please register at the information desk in the Showa Romantic Collection and board the bus. Each bus service is on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you have a preferred boarding time, we recommend that you register early. You can also look forward to the poignant announcements (in Japanese) by the bus guide, who also works as a conductor.

One of the most enjoyable parts of walking around the city is eating at cafes in retro style! Not only the menu, but also the Showa-era atmosphere of the cafes will make you feel good.

We picked up Showa-era retro menu items that are the perfect size for a snack. Don't miss the Showa goods you can pick up as souvenirs!

The souvenir corner in the Showa Romantic Collection offers a wide variety of dagashi (old-fashioned Japanese snacks) and Bungo Takada's specialty products. You can purchase reasonably priced “arare,” an old-fashioned snack, and “dagashi sets,” which are popular among children and adults of all ages. Why not select souvenirs that evoke a sense of Showa nostalgia as well?