Ome City, Tokyo, was once known as the "town of movie billboards" and is a unique town with a strong Showa retro atmosphere. The area around JR Ome Station is decorated with nostalgic movie billboards, making you feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Showa era. Although the number of billboards has decreased in recent years, there are still facilities scattered around the city that convey the lifestyle, culture, products, and atmosphere of movies of that time, such as the Showa Retro Product Museum and the Showa Lantern Museum, which are recommended for tourists who want to immerse themselves in nostalgia.

The Showa Retro Product Museum displays sweets and drink packages and nostalgic toys from the 1950s and 60s, bringing back memories for adults and offering new discoveries for the younger generation. Admission is 350 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and is open only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (10:00-17:00). In addition, the "Snow Woman Room" on the second floor of the building also displays exhibits related to Lafcadio Hearn's "Snow Woman."

At the Showa Lantern Museum, the somewhat mysterious yet beautiful world of the Showa era unfolds, centering on the works of Unit Q Studio (ink painting artist Hiromi Arita and stuffed animal artist Chabo).

Along the outdoor Ome Kaido street, hand-painted signs by movie sign artist Kubo Itakan are scattered, and although there is no dedicated exhibition room in the museum, you can easily view them while walking around the city.

It is easily accessible, about an hour by train from the city center, making it ideal for a day trip. While walking around the city, you can look for traces of the Showa era and take a break at a retro cafe. There are many spots that parents and children can enjoy together, as well as places suitable for historical walks, and you will be able to discover new charms of Tokyo.

[Trivia]
The streetscape of Ome's movie signs conveys to the present day the atmosphere of the time when movie theaters were bustling. Each movie sign is hand-painted one by one, and is also appreciated as a work of art that highlights the artist's skill. Ome is also known as a "Cat Town," and "Showa Cat Town Nyanyamagari" is dotted with adorable cat sculptures.

[Hidden gem information]
Ome Railway Park is a hidden gem recommended for railway fans and families with children, with an actual D51 locomotive and 0-series Shinkansen on display. In addition, Kamanofuchi Park, which stretches along the Tama River, is a place where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons, and is perfect for strolls and picnics. If you go a little further, you will find spots where you can enjoy the rich nature, such as Mitake Valley and Mt. Mitake.

If you walk down the hill to the river for about 30 minutes, you will find the beautiful riverbank of the Tama River upstream.