old Japan
These aren’t illustrations or romanticized stories – just normal Japanese people as they lived over a century ago.
Just be sure you’re wearing proper 19th-century attire – you don’t want to get any funny looks.
If you’re anything like us, you love old stuff from Japan. The temples, shrines, centuries-old festivals, and museums are some of our favorite things to check out when we have free time. There’s just something absolutely captivating about all the relics of the past that live on in Japan–but they’re just not quite as good as time travel! Come on, scientists, we want to hang out with Nobunaga! Well, while we’re waiting for Doc Brown to get back with the DeLorean, we can still at least look at old photos of Japan.
Though you might think there aren’t many–after all, it wasn’t like the samurai were running around with smartphones, snapping selfies–it turns out that there may be quite a few more than we realized! After a few hours clicking around the Internet, we’ve come up with our six favorite sites for finding old photos of Japan. Be sure to check them out and see what life was like over a hundred years ago!




Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japanese boy band shakes up the music world as all nine members kiss each other in new video clip
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
What does a kanji with 12 “kuchi” radicals mean? A look at weird, forgotten Japanese characters
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
What does a kanji with 12 “kuchi” radicals mean? A look at weird, forgotten Japanese characters
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Kyoto Shinkansen sweets dessert hack – How to make the bullet train’s super-hard ice cream even better
Which Japanese convenience store sells the best pizzas?【Taste test】
If Fast and Furious was about 1970s Japanese truckers, this dekotora would be the star【Photos】
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Domino’s Japan’s New Cheese Volcano Pizza is a game-changer that’s about to go global
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.