Showa was the era of the growth of Japan after the war. Manga and Anime staples like “Sazae-san,” “Doraemon,” and Studio Ghibli were born during the Showa Era. Daiba Itchome Shotengai is a shopping street that recreates the retro look of a 1955 cityscape.

On the streets of the shopping district, there are many old Japanese landscapes that you can see in movies and TV shows, creating a nostalgic and mysterious world in a time-warping experience.

At “Daiba Itchome Shotengai Tower Square,” you will be able to enjoy events with Japanese street performances, and old-fashioned games on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to take a look at the street performances during your shopping, and enjoy the traditional Japanese games.

*On the first Saturday of even-numbered months the “Street Performing Day” takes place; on the first Sunday of odd-numbered months the “Let’s make it together – handmade classes” are held; on the second Saturday and Sunday of odd months, you will see the “one throwing soul! 1-chome Begoma Dojo;” On the third Saturday and Sunday of even months is the “Kendama Attractions and lesson sessions;” on the fourth Saturday of odd months is “Showa's picture-story show;” on the fourth Sunday of odd months is “Neo Kamishibai.”

●The game arcades that both kids and parents alike will love!
Japanese game culture is also broadcast on “Game Chronicles” of “Is Japan Cool?,” a promotional media for foreign visitors to Japan, developed by ANA, and which is seeing a surge in fans! There are three spots in Daiba Itchome Shotengai, where you can experience nostalgic games that have their name etched in history.

The first spot where to experience these games is “1-chome Playland,” where you can find more than 100 arcade machines of Japan's gaming history. You can experience here 10-yen games, Space Invaders, and Super Mario Bros.

The only place in Odaiba where you can experience the very popular VR attraction “VR Ultra Reverse Bungy” is at Daiba Amusement Park. The experience of jumping into the sky while sitting on the “MX4D” with its moving seat, is very powerful! At the shooting gallery, you can fire cork balls, a popular game at festivals (you must be 18 or older).

●Try your luck at the treasure market
You can try your luck with 300yen or 1000yen lucky boxes at the “Treasure Market.”

Various prizes are included in each, and if you find a winning ticket, you will receive a luxury prize! You can shake a sample box from which you can listen to the sound that a winning ticket in a box makes, so you can then try to find a match among the real boxes. The author of this article also did the same and walked away with Bluetooth headphones, a bear accessory case, and a cute Rilakkuma lantern!

●High Color Yokocho

At High Color Yokocho, you will find inexpensive and unique sweets, old fashioned toys, Tokyo souvenirs, and popular characters like Doraemon and Pikachu, and more. You should look for retort curry, sushi notepads, and crepe-like erasers. These surprising and fun products are very popular among Japanese and foreign visitors alike.

●Edoya

“Edoya” is a popular candy shop where you can choose among a large selection of candy and confections.

Retro toys that children used to play in the Showa era, like hagoita battledores, bubble soap, and masks are also popular items.

●Karakuri Department Store

These food samples on display in the restaurant’s showcases are a piece of Japanese art that draws attention overseas. The food samples are magnets, or straps and the Karakuri Department store carries items like these and more that are very popular among foreign visitors as Japanese souvenirs.

The Karakuri Department Store also has a lot of “vegetable pens”, as well as merchandise inspired by various delicious dishes, and stationery with fruit scent. And you will find even more surprising products to make your shopping better.

●Carving City

“Koriichi” is the art of etching Japanese designs and characters on wooden tags, tatami coasters, and chopsticks, including delicate patterns like ukiyo-e and dragons. These are engraved by a laser machine. You can imprint your name, or the name of the person you want to give this as a gift to, as well as your favorite pattern, and get a truly unique and original item.

●Bakusho Nigaoe Shoutengai

“Bakusho Nigaoe Shoutengai” gives you a funny drawing as a memento of your trip. You can get your own caricature, or group ones.

The price starts at 1980yen per person for a quick color portrait, and at 1320yen for a quick black and white portrait. Prices change depending on the number of subjects, background, and so on.

●Obakeland - Daiba Horrors School

Japan’s haunted houses are a popular attraction with a long history that originated in the Edo period. The Daiba Horrors School, located in Daiba Itchome Shotengai, creates a story of a school that was closed after too many mysterious accidents happened there more than 40 years ago.

In Daiba Horror School, you don’t just walk through, but you are also given a variety of missions, like making a haunted Buddha, so you can also bask in a sense of accomplishment as you clear the game. If you don’t particularly like to put yourself in scary situations, there is an “amulet mode,” while if you want to brave through, you have that option as well...After talking to a ghost.
The entrance fee is 800yen.

●Tokyo trick Art Labyrinth Hall

If you want to meet a scary ghost, head to Tokyo trick Art Labyrinth Hall. Here you will find the only Japanese art museum that has a “Happy Ninja and Haunted House” and the “Edo Area,” where Japanese ancient ninja spirits live. You will also find a Trick Art Gallery, where you can find pieces of trick art representing various Japanese landscapes, architecture, and more. Trick art is created by precisely calculating how the human eye perceives space, creating illusions.

Becoming part of the art and taking pictures with your friends is the best part of trick art! But what if you were alone? No need to worry! The staff in the halls often speaks to guests who come in alone, and helps you take pictures of the exhibits you like.

Admission fee: 1000yen for adults, 700yen for children (4y/o to junior high students).
Languages available: English (Pamphlets available in English and Chinese).

In recent years, Takoyaki has become a popular Japanese food product overseas. Many people are hooked on the round, fluffy, cute, and flavorful takoyaki. Osaka is the birthplace of takoyaki, and there are many famous stores there. Among those, the Odaiba Takoyaki Museum selected five and gathered them all in one Osaka-certified place.

●Takoyaki Aidu-ya Honten

The first takoyaki was made in 1933 by Aizuya and it contained beef instead of octopus. Two years later, Aizuya also devised and launched Takoyaki as we know it. This dish quickly spread from Osaka to the whole country, especially among common people. Aizuya’s original takoyaki was without sauce. It’s delicious even if it’s not hot, so it’s recommended also for take-out. There is also a section where you can taste the original pre-takoyaki dish and takoyaki together.

●Takoya Doutonbori Kukuru

Akashiyaki, another ancestor of takoyaki, has a delicate flavor of egg tappuri dough. The popular “Takoya at dotonbori Kukuru,” also sells Akashiyaki. Dip the fluffy akashiyaki into its soup stock to best enjoy it. Kukuru’s octopus is delicious because it uses octopus that is flash-frozen as soon as its fished, on the boat, and it combines perfectly with takoyaki dough. After baking the takoyaki, the ball is coated with white wine and flambéed. And this is how you get the flavorful “kukuru” takoyaki.

●Tennoji Abe no Takoyaki Yama-chan

Takoyaki of “Tennoji Abe no Takoyaki Yama-chan,” which was also featured in the Michelin’s guide, will be unforgettable once you eat it. Yamachan's takoyaki is incredibly doughy! A secret soup is made by blending chicken soup with 10 kinds of fruits and vegetables and simmering it for 4 hours. The kelp and bonito in dashi pop in your mouth for extra flavor. We recommend the 4-plate share with 4 popular kinds of takoyaki!

●MOMI＆TOY’S

Momi and Toy's is a beautiful shop with terrace seating that offers a spectacular view of Odaiba. In addition to sweet crepes, salty crepes with cheese, salad, tuna, ham, teriyaki chicken, and more are available.

Momi and Toy’s crepe generated the “melting crepe” catch phrase, because of its smooth, fluffy, crispy dough, made from almond flour, enhancing the fresh and light flavor of the cream and fruit. There are also drink made with mochi tapioca. If you want to enjoy the unique taste of Japan, we recommend matcha milk, an exquisite balance of bitterness and sweetness.

And here you have it! The Daiba Itchome Shotengai is a great place to enjoy your time. It’s an awesome sightseeing place, and a great place to have fun even if you are spending a short time in Odaiba, because of its many and tightly packed attractions. Get lost in the Japan from 50 years ago, and discover another aspect of Tokyo.