Nostalgic Showa era communication tool still being used in Japanese train station
With the proliferation of cell phones and smartphones, it’s much easier to keep in touch with family and friends than it was decades ago. However,…
Showa Era
Beloved Showa era cafe inspired to fight through pandemic by fan’s heartfelt message
The アメ横商店街 Ameyoko Shopping Street in Tokyo’s 上野 Ueno neighborhood is one of the most famous shopping streets in Japan. A beloved Showa era cafe…
Showa retro fashion lover takes Japanese cafe back to the ’80s when she shows up
As time goes by, so do people’s lifestyles. Fashion, in particular, is one visible sign of the changing times. Recently in Japan, nostalgia for the…
“Cola Float Sour” canned cocktail is a grown-up twist on a kids’ favorite from yesteryear
The Showa retro trend in Japan In the last few years in Japan, nostalgia for the Showa Era (1926-1989) has become a growing trend, and…
A treasure trove of free ad designs and patterns from prewar Japan is yours at NDL Image Bank
If you’re interested in Japanese art and design, the National Diet Library’s Image Bank is an amazing resource to explore. Containing thousands of images from…
Nana Asano: The Heisei-Born 21-year-old who yearns for the Showa Era
As an enthusiast of vintage-inspired fashion, past decades, and a fan of Japan’s ‘bubble period’ and Showa myself, I tend to watch anything related to…
Nostalgic masterpieces from the Showa Period: My Top Song Recommendations
The modern J-pop had as base the “pop tune “or “Showa Era pop” also known as Kayokyoku/歌謡曲 in Japanese. For those not so familiar with…
“Mixed Juice” inventor Sennariya Coffee brings their nostalgic Showa fare to the Kanto area
The origins of “mixed juice” Osaka’s Sennariya Coffee, founded in 1948, has just opened its first shop in the Kanto area on August 10th, 2020…
Slip back in time with these nostalgic Items from the Showa Period
Last year, the Heisei Period ended after about 30 years and here we are now in Reiwa, the new era of Japan. Time flies by…
Mangaka and Illustrator Sakuma Asana’s Retro Bubble Tea Ad Has A Modern-Day Message
Bubble tea drinks are all the rage in Japan and shops selling bubble tea, or tapioca タピオカ as it’s called here, seem to be popping…
Miniature Retro Showa Era Fans Become Nostalgic Delight In Japan
Although Japan has embraced the new Reiwa era, the appeal of the “golden days” atmosphere of the Show era doesn’t seem to be going anywhere,…
Tomioka High School Dance Club Grads Energize Oreo’s Zany “Pandance” Commercial
Accomplishments of the Tomioka High School Dance Club If the name Tomioka High School Dance Club doesn’t ring a bell, you may know them as…
Try Japanese School Lunches From Meiji to Heisei Era At Retro Showa Tamagawa Onsen
If you’re a fan of manga, anime or Japanese TV dramas, then you may have seen depictions of school-provided lunches in a Japanese school. However,…
Happy Cats, Coffee Shops and Carefree Times in TAO’s Cheerful and Nostalgic Illustrations
As she explains on her Tumblr profile, Sapporo-based illustrator TAO is particularly fond of cats, Showa Era things, and sneakers. With their cheerful tone and…
The Nostalgic Cityscapes of Japanese Illustrator Rokuban
“I want to make art that somehow resonates with the viewer” Japanese illustrator Rokuban draws fictional cities and urban megastructures that seem to combine a…