An authentic, nostalgic slice of 1950s and 1960s Japan, right down to the products you'd buy
Established as a tourist destination in 2002, Bungo Takada Showa no Machi was created to show what Japan was like in the fifties and sixties.
Quick Facts
The town has some fascinating retro billboards
The Toy Museum and 1960s Everyday Life Museum feature more than 60,000 rare items from the period
A free area tour in an old-fashioned bus is available on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays
How to Get There
Bungo Takada Showa no Machi can be reached by bus via Usa Station, which is served by the Nippo Honsen Line that connects Usa and Hakata. It can also be reached by taxi from Usa Station, which takes around 10 minutes.
Step back in time
There is a shopping arcade here that promises an authentic shopping experience from the 1950s, not just in look but in the products available as well. These include appliances, gadgets, and toys from the 1950s.
Visit the Kumano Magaibutsu nearby
On the way up a flight of rugged steep steps is the Kumano Magaibutsu stone Buddha, an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Make the 20-minute car trip for the sight of this massive stone face, which dates back to the eighth century.
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.