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!




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Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
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Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
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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
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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
Japan’s most competitive neighboring prefectures are revealed in a recent survey
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Japanese-American YouTube couple discuss marital arguments, culture clash【Video】
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Eight surprising things to do in Northern Okinawa
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
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All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
How should you use the small hiroen in a Japanese ryokan hotel room?
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】