[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 Life: Nostalgic Living Quiz (11–20)

Where were the water tanks that stored water for flush toilets installed in the early Showa period?

It seems that flush toilets became widespread around the mid-1950s (Showa 30s).

They had a tank mounted overhead, and pulling a chain would release the water stored in the tank.

You don’t see them much nowadays, but they’re common in buildings from the late 1960s (Showa 40s).

Because the water is released from a high position, it apparently flushes with strong force.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

How many televisions did a household have in the Showa era?

How many televisions do you have at home? These days, it’s no exaggeration to say that there’s about one per person.

In the Showa era, there was a time when televisions were very expensive and families usually had just one.

In households with many family members, there were even fights over the channel.

There are also stories from when TVs had just become widespread of everyone going to a neighbor’s house who had bought one to watch together.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

In the Showa era, what were the top occupations that elementary school students wanted to have in the future?

Baseball was very popular during the Showa era.

I’ve heard that professional baseball games were broadcast on TV during prime time.

In particular, in the late Showa years (the 1970s and 1980s), TV anime and manga featuring baseball became popular.

Because of that, there were probably many children back then who looked up to professional baseball players.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

There used to be a lever on washing machines. What was the function of this lever, which is hard to imagine today?

In 1954 (Showa 29), washing machines with wringer attachments were released.

Modern washing machines have spin-drying functions, but machines from around the mid-1950s to mid-1960s (Showa 30 to 40) used lever-operated rollers to wring out water.

To use them, you would pass the freshly washed laundry between two rubber rollers equipped with a lever.

Turning the lever would remove the water, and it would also smooth out the laundry, leaving it crisp.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

What was the stand that was used when eating, which served the role of the modern dining table?

A chabudai is a round table with four short legs, used for meals or tea.

It is said to have become widespread in Japan around the early Showa period.

It blends Japan’s culture of dining while seated on tatami with elements from Chinese and Western cultures of the whole family gathering around a table for meals.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem