Once upon a time, Tokyo was nowhere near the sprawling megalopolis that it is today. Long ago, it wasn’t a sure thing that the small fishing village known as Edo would someday become one of the most bustling cities in the world.
But let’s skip Tokyo’s early years and fast-forward to a slightly more recent age. Ever wondered what the city looked like half a century ago, before the towering skyscrapers and iconic neon lights? Today, we are proud to present a visual comparison of Tokyo, 50 years ago versus the modern day!
Fifty years ago, Japan was in the process of emerging from the ashes of World War II and working its way back to being a major player on the world stage. The 1960s saw continued economic growth and internationalization of the city; the Tokyo Summer Olympics and the completion of the first bullet train in 1964 also paved the way for Japan’s status as a modernized force among nations. It’s hard to even picture what the city would have looked like during those transformative postwar years, which is why we’d like to take a moment out of your day to show you.
Japanese net users have recently been uploading photos of Tokyo taken approximately 50 years ago on the online “textboard” 2channel. If you’ve ever visited Tokyo or are currently living there, brace yourself for some unexpected scenery with the occasional famous landmark thrown in.
Ready for a ride through time? Let’s go!
Opening Ceremony of the Tokaido Shinkansen, 1964
Steam locomotive, 1964
A map of the Metropolitan Electric Railway
Tokyo Station, 1933
A typical traffic signal, Showa period 50s (1975-1984)
Shinjuku Station, West Entrance
▼ 1963
▼ 2011
Shibuya, Showa period early 30s (late 195s)
Location of the Shibuya 109 Building
▼ 1974
▼ 2011
Yurakucho Station, Kyobashi Entrance
▼ 1963
▼ 2011
Akabane Station, East Entrance
▼ 1963
▼ 2011
Shimbashi Station, West Entrance
▼ 1965
▼ 2011
Tokyo’s Minato Ward, Mita District, Tsunazaka
▼ Edo period (1603-1867)
▼ Today
If you’re interested in seeing more comparisons of specific places in Tokyo 50 years ago versus today, we highly recommend the phenomenal site Tokyo in Half a Century, which comes complete with detailed captions in English. The photos, which were all taken from the same perspective approximately 50 years apart, are arranged side-by-side for maximum effect.
Did anything surprise you in the photos above? Who knows what new changes we’ll see in pictures from 2065 Tokyo!
Source: 2channel via Kotaku USA
Images: 2channel
Tokyo subway ”phantom station” reveals itself to passengers for first time in nearly 90 years
Several Tokyo train lines were momentarily shut down today in honor of Tohoku Earthquake victims
Goodbye, Megaweb! Downtown Tokyo’s coolest car museum is closing for good【Photos】
The Times They are a-Changin’: Our reporter reflects on the changing landscape of Ebisu
Tokyo Koenji Awaodori festival will fully take place for the first time in four years this August
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
In downtown Tokyo, we talk to a guy who says he’s from Orion’s belt, get called an “idiot”
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Japanese gamer furniture company creates cabinets just for collectible trading card gamers【Pics】
More than one in three Japanese working women in survey would rather be housewives
Eat Kuroge Wagyu beef at this Japanese restaurant in Ginza for less than 10 bucks!
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
These photos show how Japanese architecture has changed over the last 100 years
Photos from 140 years ago show Tokyo’s skyline was amazing long before the Skytree was ever built
How life in Tokyo has changed from five years ago: Five personal takes from our reporter
New Tokyo Crossdressing Bar Appeals to First-Time Drag Queens
The blood-soaked meaning behind the mysterious marks on the floor at Tokyo Station【Photos】
Samurai photo studio is coming back to Tokyo this spring, just in time for cherry blossom season
We visit Tokyo Station…outside of Tokyo
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Japan to open its first-ever esports gym in Tokyo, with options to pay for professional training
Downtown Tokyo set to open its most important train station in 50 years, and now it has a name
5 shocking changes at Tokyo Disney parks since we visited two years ago
Ochanomizu Hotel Shoryukan has the perfect balance of class and convenience for your Tokyo stay
Akihabara in the ’80s looked very different to Tokyo’s otaku mecca today【Video】
122-year-old video of downtown Tokyo shows how much Japan’s capital has changed【Video】
69-year-old Tokyo man arrested for driving without a license for over 50 years
Tokyo’s new samurai photo studio sends you to Japan’s feudal era with awesome digital backdrops
Leave a Reply