National Showa Memorial Museum 昭和館

Built to commemorate the hardships regular Japanese people suffered during and after the Second World War, the National Showa Memorial Museum—also known as Showakan—captures everyday life during this ultimately tragic period of the country's history.

The museum is a one-minute walk from Kudanshita Station, and close to the entrance of Kitanomaru Park.

The museum was designed by architect Kiyonori Kikutake and houses over 63,000 items, including letters, clothes and other commodities from World War II. The exhibits provide a clear view of the day-to-day struggles of regular citizens, both during and after the conflict.

The museum also has a film room with a permanent collection of wartime newsreels. There is also an audio guide in English to explain the exhibits.