Fukuoka｜Japan's first cartoon mechanical clock with a strong Showa flavor, protecting the Shintenmachi shopping street for nearly 80 years

If you have been to Tenjin, Fukuoka, you may have seen this cartoon mechanical clock. It has been here since 1946 and has become the symbol of Shintenmachi shopping street.
There are 12 periods every day when music will be played, accompanied by blue, green and red lights, and the puppets will sway accordingly, and the music is always different. It was the first mechanical clock in Japan at that time and the trendiest place in Fukuoka. When we were visiting Europe as a member of the shopping street, we felt that such a unique thing must be built in Japan. Unexpectedly, when the first version of the clown chimes appeared, it scared the children to tears. The European-style cartoon version of Xiaoying's story that we see now is actually the second version.
It’s almost been eighty years, and the trendiest things back then have now become outdated symbols of the Showa era. However, Shinten-cho is surrounded by department stores, enka and record stores, local product stores, souvenir shops, old coffee shops, and nearly a hundred stores, half of which still use the Showa style, maintaining a connection with the old Fukuoka people and becoming a special attraction for tourists looking for the Showa flavor.
📍Address: 2 Chome-9 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0001 Japan
🚗One minute walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Tenjin Station
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Post by 旅行中的野馬 | Apr 2, 2025