The fascination with the Showa period, synonymous with the boomtime 1950s-80s, reflects a longing for Japan’s more dynamic past
The mall is one of many odes to Japan’s Showa era, which corresponds to the reign of Emperor Hirohito but which has become synonymous with the boomtime 1950s-80s. Seibu-en, an amusement park in Saitama, near Tokyo, rebranded itself as a 1960s-themed townscape in 2021. Rural areas have started promoting Showa architecture to attract tourists.
That social and economic dynamism is reflected in Showa’s adventurous aesthetics. Bright colours and exuberant designs—such as the glitzy chandeliers and plush velvet seats in many—are common features. An exciting inrush of Western influence on music and fashion added to the feeling of post-war transformation; disco-like city pop often features English lyrics. The atmosphere of the subsequent Heisei imperial era can feel cold and sterile by comparison.
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