#Japan #Tokyo #Exhibition #Toshima City #Showa Retro Museum

A Journey Back in Time: "The Games of Our Youth and Our Moments"

The Showa Retro Museum, located in Toshima Ward, is officially launching its new exhibition titled "The Games of Our Youth and Our Moments" starting April 25 (Saturday). This exciting exhibition aims to immerse visitors in the nostalgic games that entertained children throughout the Showa era.

Exhibit Highlights

The exhibition will primarily feature indoor and outdoor games children enjoyed during the Showa period. There will be toys available that visitors can physically interact with, making it a truly engaging experience.

First Floor: The ground floor is designed to represent a typical Showa neighborhood, complete with a nostalgic candy shop and gigantic wall illustrations that capture the essence of play during that time.

Second Floor: The second floor recreates a classic children's room, allowing visitors to feel the whimsy of their childhood among scaled-down furniture reminiscent of their youth. Additionally, historical game consoles and traditional karuta cards will be displayed, emphasizing the diverse range of games that captivated children in those days.

Fashion Through the Decades

In the first exhibition room on the second floor, guests can explore "Fashion in the 1960s to 1980s," which traces the evolution of clothing styles from Japan's economic growth to the bubble era. This section will be equipped with fitting rooms where visitors—both young and old—can try on authentic clothing from that era and capture the moments through photos.

Special Activities on Showa Day

On April 29, aligning with Showa Day, several special activities will take place. Visitors can indulge in nostalgic games through electric toys, retro video games, and traditional bamboo stilts. There will also be a stamp rally that invites guests to explore various facilities along Tokiwa Street, including the Tokiwa-so Manga Museum.

Comments from the Organizers:
A representative from Toshima Ward expressed, "Through this exhibition, I was reminded of how much joy I found in games like karuta during my childhood. I hope this exhibition serves as a bridge for intergenerational interaction, whether for those who grew up in the Showa period or for younger children unfamiliar with it. We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the ambience of that era."

Exhibition Details

• - Duration: April 25 (Saturday) to August 30 (Sunday); Closed on Mondays (except if it falls on a holiday, then the next weekday is closed)
• - Location: Showa Retro Museum (Toshima Ward History and Culture Memorial Museum)
• - Admission: Free
• - Organized by: Toshima Ward
• - Collaborators: Teitsu Co., Ltd. and Kurashiki Sanyo-do
• - Website: Toshima Ward Official Site

The museum first opened its doors in November 2022, after refurbishing the "Miraku Department Store" from the post-war Showa 20s, focusing on preserving Showa-era history and culture while fostering community development and revitalization.

Special Event on Showa Day: "Let’s Play with Showa Games!"

Join us on Showa Day for a unique experience featuring

• - Electric toys
• - Retro games
• - Bamboo stilts (a somewhat daring play choice)

Location: Multipurpose Rooms 1 & 2 at the Showa Retro Museum
Time: April 29 (Saturday) 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Community Activities

On Tokiwa Street, various community events are planned as part of the Tokiwa-so Collaborative Project. Join the exciting stamp rally from April 25 (Saturday) to May 6 (Wednesday), collecting stamps at different attractions for a chance to win prizes such as original postcards from the Tokiwa-so Manga Museum.

Limited Viewing of Room 202 at Shiunso

A special reservation-only tour will also be held for Room 202 at Shiunso, previously rented by renowned manga artist Fujio Akatsuka. The room is historically significant as a workspace frequented by members of the East Japan Manga Research Society.

The community is invited to explore the whimsical world of childhood once again, promising a beautiful flair to the event. Whether you're reliving your youth or experiencing a unique piece of history, the Showa Retro Museum's exhibition will surely resonate with fun and fond memories.