[Nagoya] A Showa retro space where people gather and have conversations

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Located in a peaceful residential area of ​​Kitanagoya City , the Showa Museum of Everyday Life is loved by people of all ages as a place where you can experience everyday life in the Showa era. The museum, which is attached to a library, can be accessed by bus or on foot from Nishiharu Station, which is about 14 minutes on the Meitetsu Inuyama from Nagoya Station.

Inside the museum, nostalgic Showa era accessories and signs, as well as recreated alleyways and stores, are on display, transporting visitors back to the Showa era. A typical house from that time has also been faithfully recreated, and the old-fashioned kitchen and reception room allow visitors to get a feel for what life was like back then. Admission is free, and the museum is easy to visit any time except on regular holidays.

The Showa Museum of Showa Life, which began collecting materials related to daily life in the Showa era in earnest in 1993, currently boasts a collection of approximately 150,000 items, of which approximately 10,000 are on permanent display. The Toyotomi of exhibits allows you to fully enjoy the world of the Showa.

Reasons for the transition from the Kofun period to the Showa period

"The Showa retro boom has been going on for about 30 years, and its appeal spans generations," says Yoshinori Ichihashi (former director, current curator). Ichihashi was involved in the launch of the Kitanagoya City History and Folklore Museum two years before it opened in 1990 (Heisei 2). Initially, the museum was a facility to exhibit haniwa clay figures from the Kofun period, but many items donated by the local community also included everyday items from the Showa period. Ichihashi was distressed when he had to turn down items because they were not eligible for donations, but he began to think about collecting "things" from the Showa period.

"While I deal with pre-Christian artifacts, I was concerned about the current situation in which 'objects' that reflect the major changes in lifestyle from the 1950s to the 1960s are being overlooked and discarded," says Ichihashi. In order to create a space that would be used by many people within a limited budget, Ichihashi began to seriously collect materials related to daily life from the Showa period in 1993 (Heisei 5).

"Many people wanted to donate their items not because they no longer needed them, but because they held many memories and wanted to treasure them," says Ichihashi. Ichihashi also interviewed the owners about the memories associated with their items and carefully recorded everything. These have now been published as five books by Kawade Shobo Shinsha. Perhaps it is precisely because these items are filled with so many memories that people who look at them feel a sense of nostalgia and warmth.

A unique exhibition method that sparks laughter and conversation

The Showa Museum of Everyday Life uses an exhibition method that allows visitors to experience the lifestyle of that era through "objects." For example, Ichihashi told us that even when exhibiting a single electric rice cooker, they also place importance on the presence of related "objects" around it.

The story of the electric rice cooker emerges through a display of curry packaging, plates, cups, spoons, etc. Ichihashi explains that rather than explaining the electric rice cooker in long sentences, the exhibits are displayed around a single theme with short, easy-to-understand catchphrases, allowing viewers to experience the story.

What sets this museum apart from other museums is that it is a space where visitors naturally recall their own memories and experiences, and communication is born through conversation. "When young people see the exhibits, they scream, 'Ahhh! It's so cute!'" Ichihashi said happily. People of all ages, including young people, come to this museum to cherish the Showa era, and it is now a lively space where laughter never ceases.

Reminiscence therapy, which involves talking about past experiences and memories using nostalgic photographs, music, and household items, is a social approach that stimulates the brain and invigorates the mind. Ichihashi happily told us that the "Showa Everyday Life Museum" exhibits have become such a space.

The role of museums in contributing to the local community and as a tourist destination

The Showa Museum of Everyday Life also plays an important role in terms of contributing to the local community and tourism. Showa retro is also playing a role in revitalizing the local area, with products being released in collaboration with the Fujibread Nishiharu Factory. In addition, at the city hall cafe "Ina Cafe" next to the museum, you can enjoy "Retro Showa Curry" as a collaborative menu item with the Showa Museum of Everyday Life. In this way, the Showa Museum of Showa Life is also active in local collaborations.

Akiyoshi Ito, the current director of the museum, spoke about his vision for the future of the museum, saying, "The charm of the Showa Museum of Showa Life is that it is a place where people of all ages can stand in front of the exhibits and have lively conversations and smiles. We want to contribute not only as a museum, but also as a hub for local interaction and tourism."

The Showa Museum of Everyday Life is not just an exhibition facility for the Showa era, but a place where people gather, share memories, and smiles abound, and it will continue to inspire many people.

Facility name: Kitanagoya City History and Folklore Museum (Showa Everyday Life Museum)

Address: 3rd floor, Kitanagoya City Library, 53 Kumanosho Sakaki , Kitanagoya City Aichi Prefecture , 481-0006

Access: 25 minutes on foot from Nishiharu Station on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line

HP: https://www.city.kitanagoya.lg.jp/rekimin/

*For details on opening hours and closing days, please check the link above.

summary

This time, we introduced the " Showa Everyday Life Museum," where you can feel the nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa . HOTEL RESOL NAGOYA will suggest recommended sightseeing spots to suit your travel style. Please feel free to ask our staff for more information.

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