Have fun with classic Showa-era games! Simple yet profoundly engaging traditional pastimes
There are surprisingly many things we used to be able to do but can’t anymore, aren’t there?
Times change every day, and the way children play has changed too.
Games and videos are great, but wouldn’t it be nice if they could find other kinds of fun as well? I’m sure many of you feel that way.
So this time, we’ve rounded up a variety of Showa-era games!
A big collection of simple yet absorbing activities you can enjoy indoors or outdoors!
Showa-era games are also a great way to experience Japanese culture, so be sure to enjoy them with your kids.
- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [For Seniors] Have Fun! A Collection of Group Game Recreation Ideas
- [For Seniors] Nostalgic! Showa-Era Quizzes Recommended for Reminiscence Therapy
- The Complete Guide to Showa-Era Toys: From Showa retro to toys still loved today
- A must-see for the Showa generation! Nostalgic popular snacks from the old days
- Special feature on popular anime from the Showa era. Looking back at the hit shows of the time!
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable While Seated! Ball Exercises and Recreation
- [Nostalgic Showa Fashion] The changing trends that feel both nostalgic and fresh
- A roundup of nostalgic Showa-era home appliances, including rare ones you don’t see anymore!
- Nostalgic foods of the Showa era. Let’s trace the memorable flavors and the memories they evoke.
- 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
- Heartwarming nostalgia: scenes of Showa-era streets that bring back memories.
Have fun with Showa-era games! Simple yet profound traditional pastimes (1–10)
Drop the Handkerchief
The game “Handkerchief Drop” is played with everyone sitting in a circle.
Those who are seated keep their hands behind their backs.
The person who is ‘it’ walks around the outside of the circle and secretly drops a handkerchief behind someone.
When the person realizes a handkerchief has been dropped behind them, they chase the ‘it’ who continues running around the circle.
If they manage to tag ‘it’ before ‘it’ reaches the chaser’s original seat, they win.
If they can’t, they become the next ‘it.’ If someone fails to notice the handkerchief was dropped behind them, they also lose and switch to being ‘it.’ It’s a game that’s fun with large groups, so give it a try!
stilts
Takegoma, or stilts made from bamboo poles with footrests, let you walk while keeping your balance.
They look simple, but they’re surprisingly difficult.
Some are made from real bamboo, but steel versions are commonly sold in stores.
The key to riding them is to place your weight firmly on your toes and lean your posture slightly forward so you don’t tip backward.
Keep your eyes looking straight ahead and focus on moving forward.
At first, it’s best to practice with someone standing in front of you to support you.
Kick the can
Kick the Can is a hide-and-seek style game.
Draw a circle on the ground and place an empty can in the center.
Choose one player to be “it.” The “it” player kicks the can, and after retrieving it and putting it back in the circle, they count.
Meanwhile, everyone else hides.
“It” guards the can while searching for the hiders; when “it” spots someone, they call the person’s name and step on the can.
Anyone who’s found must move into the circle.
If a hider who hasn’t been found yet manages to kick the can while “it” is searching, the people inside the circle can escape.
If “it” finds everyone without the can being kicked, “it” wins.
Have fun with Showa-era games! Simple yet profound traditional pastimes (11–20)
S-ken (traditional Japanese playground game)
Let me introduce S-Ken, a team game you can enjoy together.
Draw a large sideways S-shape on the ground and place cones—treated as treasure—at both ends.
The team that grabs a cone first wins.
The inner spaces on the left and right of the S are each team’s territory, and from there you aim for the treasure in the opponent’s territory.
However, once you leave your own territory, you can only move by hopping on one foot.
You face opponents one-on-one and battle using push-sumo style.
If you step outside the S or put both feet down while in enemy territory, you’re out.
There’s a rest area outside the S, so if you get tired of hopping, take a break there.
Fight to reduce the opposing team’s numbers and claim the treasure!
marble
Glass marbles with beautiful colors—“bi-dama.” They look lovely displayed in clear containers, but they can also be used as toys.
Scatter marbles randomly on a desk or the floor, choose one, and flick it with your finger as if you were doing a finger snap.
If you hit another marble, you get to keep the one you hit.
In the end, the person with the most marbles wins! You can also put marbles into several lined-up cups and guess where they are, or place marbles in a maze made from cardboard and enjoy a maze game.
There are many ways to play, so try out different methods!
Kendama
Kendama is a game that many celebrities are also good at.
It consists of a stick with cups of different sizes and a ball attached by a string.
You play by landing the ball on various parts.
First, try tricks like landing the ball on the cups on either side, or “tomeken,” where you land it on the spike.
The key to success is using your knees well.
When you pull the ball up, bend and extend your knees firmly; this motion will help you succeed.
There are many other kendama tricks too, so be sure to practice!
Spinning a top
Spinning tops that twirl on a thin, unstable point—this is “koma-mawashi” (top spinning).
Wrap the string, grip firmly, and throw with force to make the top spin.
It seems difficult, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easy! It’s fun to have several people spin at the same time and compete to see whose top keeps spinning the longest.
You can also try cool tricks, like spinning it on your hand or moving a spinning top along the string.
Give lots of different tricks a try!