20251217a Takayama, Japan Retro Museum

20251217 We arrive home from Shirakawa-go’s and head up the street to check out a Retro Museum, just a few minutes walk from the old town and a popular spot for children. As for the adults it’s like taking a step back in time and reliving your youth, and for a couple of hours, and that’s exactly what we did, the kids ravelled in the the different machines like the:

Space Invaders:Released in 1978. 

Asteroids: A vector graphics space-themed shooter from 1979 where players must destroy incoming asteroids and flying saucers.

Galaga: From 1981, fixed shooter features waves of insect-like aliens

Donkey Kong: Released by Nintendo in 1981, this platformer introduced the world to both Mario, originally "Jumpman".

And the ever popular PAC-Man, released in 1981, featuring new maze designs and slightly different gameplay mechanics. Not to mention the many retro toys, games and even the lollies for the sweet tooth.

The sign politely asked us to take our shoes off on the mat. I politely ignored it and lay down on the mat instead, leaving my boots sulking on the floor.”

The boys try their hand at a game of Pool on the tiny table.

Who remembers the drinking bird, also known as a "dippy bird," is a classic kinetic toy that moves due to the evaporation and condensation of a volatile liquid inside.

After some nagging we managed to get these pair of horror heads to have a photo with mum and grandma. Sharyn’s holding a Sarubobo, a symbol of Gifu Prefecture! In this shrine they represent the Shichifujin, Seven Gods of Fortune. I’m holding the kewpie doll that first appeared in O'Neill's cartoon strip in a women's magazine in 1909. The characters were an angelic combination of a baby and a cupid, known for performing good deed.

Ash playing the historical PacMan, gee! we finally found something he likes apart from his bloody Phone.

Dad and son compete together in the game of Streetfighter, I’m guessing Dad has the upper hand.

I remember this one as a little girl, I always thought they were so cool. A vintage Soviet-era roly-poly doll, also known as a Nevalyashka toy, it has a rounded bottom with a weight inside, causing it to right itself when pushed over.    

A 1975 pinball machine, now that takes me back in time, my Uncle Wally had one at the Glidaway Garage in Ipswich many years ago and we played it constantly.

Ash walks out with a grin on his face after finding some retro crutches amongst the banners and toys.

Grandma climbs onto the motorbike while Hamish grabbed the handlebars, grinning like he was about to break the land-speed record. “Hold on tight,grandma, I’ve survived disco, perms, and the 70s, as we rocked back & forth like we were taking a bend and roaring through the streets.🏍️😄

This scene is set up to resemble an old-fashioned school classroom, complete with wooden desks, chairs, and blackboards, just like in Australia.

Claw machines are typically coin-operated and involve using a joystick to maneuver a claw to pick up prizes, which in this case appear to be various candies and small items.

Their was a whole display of old cigarettes but the Kool I remember well, my Aunty use to smoke them and I remember pinching them, but I never liked them so I would give them to my friends, now that was a long time ago.

Well that’s it for the Retro Museum as we step onto the street in search of a food stall to fill some hungry bellies, these kids are like a bottomless pit. With our bellies full we continue our walk taking in the site’s along the way.

A family moment during the Christmas season, where a large Santa Claus Decorate the streets. Apparently a large Santa Claus in Japan is often linked to the national tradition of eating KFC for Christmas, a marketing campaign that began in the 1970s, now that I didn’t know.

The sculpture representation of Kinko, an immortal who was a painter of fish and was given a ride into the realm of immortals by a giant carp

Mum and Son overlooking the Miyagawa River, which is considered the "life line" of Takayama.

Me with my two grandsons Hamish and Owen on the bright vermilion colour (red) makes the bridge stand out beautifully against the surrounding natural scenery, highlighting it as a key feature of Takayama's historic district.

The boys return home so Sharyn and I hit the shops for some last minute shopping when I spotted this chair for a quick photo.

So far we’ve had a full day of adventure exploring the historic village of 

Shirakawa-go's then onto the Retro Museum for an afternoon of fun with the old space invader machines but the day isn’t over yet so stay tuned for the next episode.

The End