Showa Retro Packaging Museum

Located just off the old Ome Kaido road near the entrance to the Sumiyoshi Shrine approach, the Showa Retro Packaging Museum is a must-visit for retro enthusiasts. As its name suggests, this charming museum showcases a wide array of everyday goods from the Showa 30s to 40s (1955–1974), offering a nostalgic trip back in time.

Housed in a traditional wooden building that once served as a furniture shop, the museum is filled with vintage packaging and signage from old medicines, cigarettes, stationery, books, and more.
One of the most popular sections is a lovingly recreated Showa-era candy shop, where sweets are displayed in glass cases and containers just as they were in the past—a deeply moving experience for those who remember the era.
The museum also features a special exhibition of hand-painted film posters by the late Kanban artist Bankan Kubo, known as “the last movie billboard master.” His vibrant, nostalgic work is a major draw.

Upstairs, you’ll find materials related to a local folk tale said to have inspired Lafcadio Hearn’s Yuki-onna (“The Snow Woman”).
Just 80 meters down the same street is the museum’s sister facility, the Showa Gento-kan. This gallery showcases the whimsical ink paintings of cat-themed artist duo Hiromi Arita & Chabo, along with a detailed diorama of Ome during the Showa era—making it well worth visiting both locations together.