Hida Takayama Retro Museum — Attraction in Takayama

I was totally unaware that Hida-Takayama has not one but two retro museums, so when my husband and I visited here on our first day here, we thought we were done with looking back on the Showa era. However, it dawned on me on the next day that there was a more definitive collection of vintage memorabilia at the Takayama Showa Museum nearby.

As it turned out, this one was more targeted to kids. We were wondering why most of the exhibits were arcade machines whether they were pinball, pachinko, or slots. Some were free, and others required ¥100 coins. They were quite popular among young parents with hyperactive children. There were also sections focused on action figures and tin toys as well as recreations of a grade school classroom, a clinic, and a barbershop.

No surprise that there was a huge candy concession area selling Showa-era sweets. Admission was ¥700. For an extra cost, there was a school lunch option if you want to eat like a student back then, but truthfully nothing sounded all that appetizing. If I had to choose between the two museums, I'd go to the other one since it provides a more comprehensive look at that period. However, if playing nostalgic, interactive games excites you, then this may be more...

A small but interesting place. Not your typical museum, there are lots of retro things on display with some information, but mostly it is arcade games.

The games upstairs are free, some mini versions of MAPPY, PAC-MAN etc as well as full-size Pokemon Stadium, Mario Kart (you have to press the button REALLY hard to turn) as well as table tennis and table football.

The games downstairs mostly need money, small amounts admittedly just be prepared to have coins if you want to play. Some of the free to play ones have buttons/controllers that don't work.

There is an area at the beginning that appears to be a gift shop, and you can get a newspaper from the day you were born (in Japanese) for ¥400.

There are a couple seats and a place to eat on the ground floor also, but make sure you finish your food before leaving the area.

This would be good for kids, if they recognise the games and have their own little stash of coins to spend.

This is not wheelchair accessible and I would not advise anyone of limited mobility to go as the corridors are narrow and the...

As you walk I to one of two Retro museums in Takayama, you travel straight back into time. Though some of the items and experiences will only bring back memories for people who grew up in Japan, the majority is internationally recognisable. Throughout the tour there's loads of games and machines to try, most of them free. I highly recommend stopping by this museum, Japanese or international traveller, and at the entrance/exit there's a...