Built in 1957, Showa Station is named for the era in the Japanese calendar during which it was established, the Shōwa period.

Showa Station serves as a research outpost for astronomy, meteorology, biology and earth sciences.

[3] The station was founded by the inaugural Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition in 1957.

A cairn and plaque at the station commemorate Shin Fukushima, a member of the 4th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, who died in October 1960 while carrying out his duties.

It has been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 2) following a proposal by Japan to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.