15 Japanese Items Gaining Popularity for Their Vintageness

In Japan, during the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate relinquished control to the Imperial Court and reinstated imperial rule. After the collapse of the Edo shogunate, the name of the era changed with the death of the emperor. Since then there has been Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and Heisei (the current era).

The Heisei era has been one of rapid development in science and technology as well as the adoption of various cultures within Japan, and precisely because this era is so modern, people have gained interest in cute retro items from the Showa era. Here are 15 of those cute nostalgic items.

1. Retro flower-patterned enamel pot 

This enamel pot was a standard in every household in the Showa era.

2. Toaster

This is one of those retro toasters where you put the bread in and it pops out when it's done.

3. Soy sauce dispenser

This soy sauce dispenser has a cute retro design.

4. Retro flower-patterned glass

This also has an adorable, retro design. It's still very popular.

5. Showa era art inspired notebooks

These notebooks have covers that aren't modern, but rather look like they were drawn in the Showa era. Because they look so vintage, they stand out.

6. Clasped coin purse

Clasped purses of all sizes are currently very popular. People just can't get enough of how retro they feel.

7. Wooden handbag

Wooden handbags are still used by lots of people, but their vintage image still turns heads.

8. Tea cups

These polka dotted tea cups have an adorable retro aura.

9. Tumbler

In the Showa era, they didn't have electric kettles like they do now, so it was standard to carry drinks in tumblers made for cold or hot drinks. These are cutely patterned with a flower design, and look like they were made decades ago.

10. Vintage sewing basket

Elderly women were often seen with sewing baskets like this. There are two levels inside, so you can easily fit lots of sewing tools inside, but lately it's become a popular handbag among young women.

11. Lamp

People who like vintage furniture won't be able to resist the design of this lamp.

12. Matchbook stickers

Lately they've been selling these stickers that are inside containers that look like retro matchbooks.

13. Retro, colorful buttons 

Fashionable girls, no matter the era, pay attention to the small details. These buttons are very reminiscent of the fashions of the Showa era, so they've become very popular among young women of the modern era.

14. Showa high collared flower patterned dress

There are many vintage stores and vintage-inspired stores in Japan.

There are many young people who go out of their way to dress only in vintage clothing or in vintage designs.

15. Retro flower patterned plate

Showa era flower patterns are obviously very popular, and the large round plate with this design is a standard item among people who enjoy this look.