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!




Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japanese rail and Shinkansen bullet train announcers come together for series of cute videos
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Lawson changes its iconic egg sandwich, makes it bigger but smaller at the same time
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Lawson changes its iconic egg sandwich, makes it bigger but smaller at the same time
Once you hear this lady sing “Yooooooghurppe”, you may never stop hearing it
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Our four must-visit saunas in Japan for total relaxation
Permanent Japanese residency to be possible for foreigners with anime-related jobs after one year
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Yoshiki and Kiss to perform together again on Japan’s New Year’s Eve music extravaganza Kohaku