Meiji Era
This stunning work of century-old architecture has given its last tour allowing people access to never-before-seen parts of the facility.
These aren’t illustrations or romanticized stories – just normal Japanese people as they lived over a century ago.
In early 2016, the beloved Rurouni Kenshin series will be getting its first musical adaptation by the Takarazuka Revue, Japan’s all-female musical theater troupe! If you’re a fan of the manga and singing, check out when and where the musical will be performed and start planning accordingly.
Attention all designers, artists, fashion enthusiasts and people who just appreciate some nice Japanese artwork: The Smithsonian Libraries should be your best friends.
Among their thousands of other free artwork and books, The Smithsonian Libraries and the Freer and Slacker Galleries, Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Arts now offer free downloads of thousands of beautiful Japanese prints.
Postcards and commemorative photos at modern souvenir shops in Japan usually feature full-color high-res images of Tokyo Tower or Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms. At around 50 yen (US$0.50) a piece, they’re an inexpensive way to show off your recent trip or give someone a gift. Flashback nearly 150 years and those same souvenir photos start to look a little different. Let’s take a look at 23 hand-colored albumen silver prints of Meiji Era Japan that were sold abroad and to foreigners visiting Japan.







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Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
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Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
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Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
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Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
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Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
7-Eleven Japan adds macaroni cheese sandwiches to its convenience store food range
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool