Japan’s first neon sign appeared in a bakery shop window in Tokyo during the 1920s (with some accounts saying around 1926). It didn’t take very long for other businesses in Japan to see the many different benefits that neon lighting could offer their businesses.

As a result, sign manufacturers began mastering the neon manufacturing techniques. One of the earliest companies to cash in on the new neon trend was Tokyo’s Takamura Sign Shop. This shop, which was owned and operated by kanban aficionado Goro Takamura, became Showa Neon Industries a year later.

In 1951, Takamura’s company became Showa Neon Co., Ltd.

Over the next few decades, Showa Neon would make some of Tokyo’s most memorable neon signs.

In 1995, Showa Neon, along with several other Japanese and Thai companies, formed Siam Yomiko Advertising Co., Ltd. in Thailand.

In 2006, Showa opened a museum dedicated to kanban to the public. This museum features over 180 signs that belonged to Goro Takamura.

In 2008, Showa Neon’s first LED showroom was opened. This came several years after Showa began their journey into the world of LED!

Showa Neon is located in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward.

Business Location:

Coming soon!

Links:

• http://www.showaneon.co.jp (Showa Neon homepage. Japanese language only.)