For our first Showa Snap of the Reiwa Era, let’s go back to Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture in August of 1977. The Amago bridge traces its origins back to the times of the samurai. It was part of the Hama Road, which was designated part of Japan’s National Route 6 during the Meiji Era, and until 1951 was still made out of wood. It rebuilt in concrete to accommodate increasing automobile traffic of the times. Initially two lanes, by 1970 it was seeing 30,000 cars per day so the city widened it to four lanes in 1972.
The photo above, taken by Iwaki City in 1977, is a who’s who of Showa Era cars: Hakosuka and Kenmeri Skylines, “710” Violet, Kujira Crown, Peanut Corolla, B110 Sunny, C30 Laurel Hardtop, Isuzu 117, Mitsubishi Minica Skipper, several Cedrics, and a Fairlady Z sitting on some pretty wide rubber. It was peak Showa, and quite a bit busier than it was in 1945 or 1954. Today, the Amago Bridge is still in operation, though the cars are a bit less exciting.
Image: Iwaki City
I can smell the Spaghetti Neapolitan through the screen. That’s a properly nostalgic shot.
Well, in 25 years you’ll probably be saying, ooh! A Corolla Liftback or ooh! A Nissan Note…
Back in Showa 52, those cars were pretty ordinary…
Good times man! I personally prefer the Bubble Era, but boy I would love to get back there before even those start to dissapear. Man, I’m starting to feel…Nostalgic.
Are they crazy!? They’re driving them in the rain!