[For Seniors] Nostalgic! Showa-Era Quizzes Recommended for Reminiscence Therapy

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

A Showa-era quiz that naturally sparks lively conversation as you share memories.

New discoveries emerge from the rich experiences of older adults, wrapping the room in warmth.

We present quizzes about popular culture of the time—nostalgic TV shows and everyday tools from the Showa period—perfect for reminiscence therapy.

You can already hear the excitement: “Oh yes, I remember that!” “Back then we all watched TV together, didn’t we?” Why not enjoy communicating with those around you and look back on the Showa era together?

Showa-Era Entertainment: Nostalgic Pop Culture Quiz (1–10)

Around 1955 (Showa 30), what were the cafes in Japanese urban areas—where everyone sang together—called?

Songs that have always been close to people’s hearts are loved in various ways depending on the era.

Before karaoke boxes appeared, what were the cafes called—popular around the mid-1950s and spreading mainly in Japanese cities—where everyone would sing together? The name clearly evokes the scene of people layering their voices along with various instruments.

The answer is “utagoe kissa” (singing voice cafes).

It is said that as people layered their voices, a sense of solidarity grew, which had a significant impact on student and labor movements.

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kappamaki

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What was the other event, besides men’s judo, that became an official discipline at the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964?

The Tokyo Olympics, held in 1964, energized the entire nation.

While judo was only for men, volleyball became an official event for both men and women, and the women’s volleyball team captivated Japan, winning the gold medal.

They were nicknamed the “Witches of the Orient.”

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In 1984 (Showa 59), a certain animal came from Australia. What is this animal that remains popular today?

One of the charms of zoos is that you can see creatures that don’t live in Japan or that you’d never encounter in the wild.

Animals coming to Japan for the first time are often featured in the news, and in 1984 (Showa 59) a particular animal drew a lot of attention.

What was the animal that arrived from Australia as a goodwill ambassador? The fact that it came from Australia is a big hint.

The answer is “koala.” Six koalas were exhibited at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo, Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya, and Hirakawa Zoological Park in Kagoshima.

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kappamaki

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Showa-Era Entertainment: Nostalgic Pop Culture Quiz (11–20)

Who was the first heroine of the Showa-era flagship series “It’s Tough Being a Man” (Otoko wa Tsurai yo)?

Many of you might have answered Sayuri Yoshinaga, right? The correct answer is Sachiko Mitsumoto; this work marked her film debut.

She went on to appear in a series of films directed by Yoji Yamada.

She also gained popularity with the 1965 NHK morning drama series ‘Tamayura.’

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On the tables of cafés and eateries in the Showa era, there were small roulette-style vending machines. What kind of vending machines were they?

Back in the Showa era, many coffee shops and eateries had small roulette-style vending machines on their tables.

And what did they dispense? Fortune-telling results! You’d insert a coin and pull the lever, the roulette inside would spin, and a rolled-up slip of paper would come out.

In the late Showa 50s (the late 1970s to early 1980s), thanks to the combined boom of horoscopes and coffee shops, annual production of these mini machines reportedly exceeded 200,000 units.

I even remember seeing them in old Chinese restaurants after the Heisei era began, but nowadays they’ve become a rare sight.

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yuri

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From the late 1950s to the 1960s in the Showa era, a certain indoor sport became extremely popular. What sport was it?

The sport in question—many older people might say they used to play it often, especially with the recent boom—what could it be? Here are some hints: it’s a sport that uses a heavy ball, and you throw that ball toward a specific target.

The answer is bowling! At the time, there were over 3,500 bowling alleys nationwide, and many people owned their own shoes and balls.

Numerous star players emerged as well, such as Kayoko Suda and Ritsuko Nakayama.

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SAKI

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In the 1960s, the male idols known as the “Big Three” were Teruhiko Saigō, Yukio Hashi, and who was the third?

With his school uniform as his trademark, his debut single “Kōkō Sannensei” (High School Senior), released in 1963, became a huge hit.

The song’s success even led to a film of the same name, which was also a hit.

It’s said that the school uniform he wore on the record jacket was from Funaki’s alma mater.

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