Takayama Shōwa-kan, Cultural museum in Takayama, Japan.
Takayama Showa-kan is a museum in Takayama featuring meticulously recreated streets from the 1950s, complete with wooden utility poles, vintage motorcycles, and period storefronts. The exhibits span multiple areas where visitors can explore different aspects of daily life from that decade.
The museum documents the Showa Period from 1926 to 1989, when Japan transformed from military control to democracy and traditional practices gave way to industrial development. The 1950s, the focus of the reconstructions, marked a phase of post-war rebuilding and cultural reorientation.
The museum displays a reconstructed 1950s classroom with wooden student desks and household items from Japanese homes of that era. Walking through these spaces gives a direct sense of how children and families lived and learned back then.
The museum is about a 15-minute walk from JR Takayama Station and easy to reach on foot. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the different exhibition areas requires considerable walking.
A special section features a reconstructed diner with plastic food models of classic dishes like pork cutlet bowls and tempura soba as they appeared in Japanese restaurants of the era. This detailed recreation of food culture offers insight into the dining habits and taste preferences of the time.
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