Bungotakada Shōwa no Machi 25th Anniversary Festival

Event Overview

Bungotakada Shōwa no Machi in Oita Prefecture is a charming destination known for its beautifully preserved streets that capture the essence of the Showa era. This special festival celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Shōwa no Machi district. Throughout the event, the entire area will be filled with a nostalgic energy, featuring rare vintage vehicle displays and interactive shopping events that invite visitors to step back in time.

Highlights & Activities

Rare Vintage Bonnet Bus Exhibition

The main highlight of this festival is the exhibition of classic "bonnet buses" gathered from across the country. These rare, vintage vehicles, which are seldom seen in public, will be showcased right in the heart of Shōwa no Machi. On September 21, the buses will be displayed along the shopping street, and on September 22, they will be located in the Shōwa no Machi bus parking area, allowing you to see these magnificent machines up close.

Interactive "Build a Bonnet Bus" Project

Join the fun with a hands-on activity where you can add message stickers to a life-sized panel of a bonnet bus. By contributing your message, you help complete an original bus design with friends and family. The finished masterpiece will be displayed at the "Shōwa no Machi Terrace."

Shopping & Quiz Rally

Explore the local shops and enjoy a rewarding-shopping experience! By shopping at two or more participating stores in the Shōwa no Machi shopping district, you can collect receipts to enter a lottery for various prizes. There is even a chance to win nostalgic Japanese traditional candies (dagashi) by answering quiz questions correctly.

Schedule

The festival runs from September 19 to September 27. The main programs are as follows:

• *September 19 – September 27**: "Build a Bonnet Bus" (Location: Shōwa Roman Kura / 10:00–17:00)
• *September 19 – September 27**: Shopping Receipt Rally & Quiz Rally (Location: Shōwa no Machi Shopping District)
• *September 21**: Grand Bonnet Bus Exhibition (Location: Shōwa no Machi Shopping Street / Starts at 10:00)
• *September 22**: Grand Bonnet Bus Exhibition (Location: Shōwa no Machi Bus Parking / Starts at 10:00)

Venue & Access

The event takes place throughout the Bungotakada Shōwa no Machi area in Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture.

Essential Information

• *Receipt Rally**: To participate, ensure you collect your receipts from your purchases. If you use electronic payments that do not provide a physical receipt, please ask the shop staff to write down the shop name, date, and amount, and have them provide the shop's official stamp.

The lottery venue is the General Information Center inside Shōwa Roman Kura (Open 10:00–16:30).

• *Clothing**: We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes to enjoy exploring the streets.
• *Payment**: Please prepare cash or various digital payment methods for shopping in the district.
• *Reservations**: No prior reservation is required for the special event displays (such as the bus exhibition).
• *Etiquette**: Please respect the local scenery and follow the rules of the shopping district.