Heartwarming nostalgia: scenes of Showa-era streets that bring back memories.
Wooden signboards, hand-painted posters, and weathered vending machines.
In the streetscapes of the Showa era, a certain nostalgic warmth still lingers.
There, you can still find the ways of life that are fading in the modern day and the lively energy of shopping streets rooted in their communities.
In the back alleys that feel like a time slip, you’re sure to find scenes that echo memories in your heart.
Shall we set out together on a journey through these Showa-era streets?
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- The nostalgic world of Showa-era films. Revisiting masterpieces that linger in the heart.
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- [For Seniors] Nostalgic! Showa-Era Quizzes Recommended for Reminiscence Therapy
- Have fun with classic Showa-era games! Simple yet profoundly engaging traditional pastimes
- A roundup of nostalgic Showa-era home appliances, including rare ones you don’t see anymore!
- Nostalgic ice cream from the Showa era. From today’s classic staples to old-time favorites.
- [For Seniors] Recommended for Brain Training! Nostalgic Showa-Era Quiz
- [For Seniors] Nostalgic quizzes that bring back memories! Showa-era entertainment and sports questions
- [Showa TV Special] Beloved Classic Shows & Heroes of Our Memories
- A nostalgic feature on Showa-era magazines: looking back at the popular magazines of the time.
Heartwarming nostalgia: Scenes of Showa-era streets that bring memories back to life (1–10)
Hiroshima in 1946
In 1946, Hiroshima was still deeply scarred, even a year after the atomic bombing.
The city center was a vast expanse of ashes, and the few buildings that remained standing testified to the devastation.
Amid the rubble, temporary housing and shacks were erected, and although people were forced to live with scarce supplies, they were gradually trying to reclaim their daily lives.
Schools and shops were slowly beginning to reopen, marking small first steps toward reconstruction.
It was a year that could be called the starting point of rebirth, where hope and sorrow intersected.
Okinawa around 1950
The streetscapes captured in 1950s Okinawa are wrapped in a somehow nostalgic, warm atmosphere.
The rows of red-tiled houses, children running along unpaved roads, and the bustling energy of the markets are particularly striking.
You can see the influence of American culture in the signs and cars, vividly conveying the unique postwar mood of Okinawa.
From the quiet town scenes where you can almost hear the sound of the sanshin, to every other moment, you can feel the way people lived and their warmth.
It is a record of a time when, amid simple and tranquil days, there was unmistakably an air of recovery and hope.
Osaka in the 1960s
In Osaka’s Umeda area in the 1960s, the orderly cityscape and the flow of countless people leave a strong impression.
From the exit of Midosuji Line Umeda Station, people in Western-style clothing appear one after another along the sidewalk, and together with the open space in front of the station you can feel the bustle of the city.
Iconic landmarks of the time, such as the imposing façade of the Hankyu Department Store and the Central Post Office building, blended smoothly into the urban scenery.
On Midosuji, streetcars move along at a leisurely pace, with cars and buses passing close by.
The movement of people and traffic naturally overlaps, and the footage gently conveys the urban character and dynamism that Showa-era Osaka possessed.
Heartwarming nostalgia: Scenes of Showa-era streets that bring memories back to life (11–20)
Japanese scenery in 1964
Major events in Japan in 1964 included the Tokyo Olympics and the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen.
The Tokaido Shinkansen reportedly began operation to provide high-speed transportation for all visitors and officials heading to the Tokyo Olympics, as well as for its expected economic benefits.
A grand ceremony was held to celebrate the launch of the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Its top speed at the time was 210 kilometers per hour, but with advances in technology, it now operates at a maximum speed of 285 kilometers per hour.
Because of its speed, it was nicknamed the “Dream Super Express” when it first opened.
Tokyo in the 1970s
Around 1970 was the period of rapid economic growth, and the first McDonald’s that everyone knows so well opened in Japan in 1971.
At that time, there were landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Japan’s first skyscraper, the Kasumigaseki Building, but the skyline of high-rises that we take for granted today was largely absent.
Many people might look at photos and wonder, “Wait, is this really Tokyo?” Even Tokyo, now known as Japan’s great metropolis, once had streetscapes that were emblematic of the Showa era.
Expo ’70 in Osaka
The Osaka Expo held in 2025 was actually the second time; the first Osaka Expo took place in 1970.
Its symbol is the Tower of the Sun, designed by Taro Okamoto.
By the way, at the 2025 Osaka Expo, the official character “Myaku-Myaku” and the grand roof known as the “Ring” are well known.
The highlight of the 1970 Expo was, of course, the moon rock obtained by the United States through the Apollo program.
Many people probably went to see it at the time.
There was even an event—unthinkable by today’s standards—where a person and an elephant tested their strength in a tug-of-war.
Scenery of Osaka in the 1980s
This is Osaka around 1980.
There are many scenes from Minami, and for those who spent time in that area back then, the footage will probably feel nostalgic.
If you know modern-day Osaka, you might be a bit surprised by how many signs aren’t lit up.
Even Dotonbori, which today feels lively and bustling, has a somewhat mellow atmosphere here.
Still, the people are full of energy, and everyone looks like they’re having a good time.
Compared to today, the scenery is different of course, but what really stands out is that no one has a smartphone.