Nintendo DS software-like building in Japan has people getting nostalgic 

A shopping center recently captured the attention of Japanese social media users for its interesting outward appearance. In a post that has been viewed over 7 million times, a user pointed out how the building’s windows look just like Nintendo DS game cards, triggering an outpouring of nostalgia and creative comments. 

The building in question is the shopping center Family Kashiwa, which is located in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture. Built in 1973, it has houses various small shops and residential services. The shops that can be found inside are advertised in the windows, which posters on X think look like DS cards (although many replies questioned the original poster’s suggestion that the building is “famous”). 

More than a couple of commenters said that they would like to try playing the Baskin Robbins’ “DS card.” It is quite easy to imagine a casual game based on the colorful American ice cream chain, which is often referred to by its nickname “31” in Japan. Others went further, coming up with ideas for what kind of game each shop would be based on their logos. 

The logic behind some of their choices is interesting. The 100-yen shop (the Japanese equivalent of a dollar store) Seria becomes a “colorful puzzle game,” referencing the chain’s slogan “color the days.” Elle Seine, which is a beauty salon, is reimagined as an attractively presented dating game aimed at women. Contact lens shop Ace Contact is envisioned as an airplane “dogfighting game,” as a nod to Bandai Namco’s Ace Combat flight sim series. 

This is not the first time a building has piqued the interest of social media users due to its game-related appearance. Last year, the art director of the original Final Fantasy VII drew attention to the real-life Tokyo building that inspired the imposing Shinra HQ (Related article).