We LOVED this little museum so much more than we imagined to. To be honest, it was just to break up some other sightseeing spots that I have in mind.
I thought it would be a little bit of something cute for all of us and then I’d mainly throw a 100-200 yen cheap toy or treat for the way to our next destination.
BUT WE LOVED THIS MUSEUM!
I would also keep this up your sleeve as a cute rainy day option.
I, personally, have such a soft spot for retro, vintage and kitsch Japan so I would have loved this place with or without children. But the staff were what made the whole time really enjoyable for us.
They were happy for the kids to get equally as excited for all of the little retro booths ( or “lands” as my kids referred to them.)
PLEASE NOTE: This museum is NOT a playcentre. The staff were so kind when it came to the kids touching and interacting with many of the exhibits – but you will still need to watch little hands and remind them about museum behaviour.
The entire museum is set up like an old school Japanese town at night. Each shop is a little slice or retro Japan. For example, a little hair salon, a little restaurant (with the fake food out front and everything!) , a photo shop, a little cinema.
My kids loved that they finally got to play with pachinko ( in the real deal, kids are , of course, not allowed.)
And I loved the little mock houses. I loved this place so much more than the Edo Museum in Tokyo.
They also loved the Nintendo room. This was their first donkey kong and Mario bros experience. I could NOT get them out of there!
The top floor also has a little classroom and another area with a section where you can try on kimono and all the accessories too.
Even if you don’t find you have enough time for the museum, I still recommend taking a little look at the gift shop at the front. There are many little games, toys and sweets. Everything is just a few hundred yen and there are some cute little “only in Japan” type gift ideas here too.
TAKAYAMA SHOWA MUSEUM
6 SHIMOICHINOMACHI, TAKAYAMA
OPEN 9AM-6PM
ENTRANCE FEE: KIDS UNDER 4 YEARS OLD ARE FREE, 4- END OF ELEMENTARY/ HIGH SCHOOL AGE 300 YEN, JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 500 YEN, ADULTS 800 YEN
For other things that we loved in Takayama, see my Takayama with kids post here.
And for detailed on where we stayed ( and loved) see my post here.
