old photos
People used to travel on a ropeway between department store rooftops overlooking today’s scramble crossing.
Twitter wants you to help find the people taken in these beautiful black-and-white photos from Japan’s past.
These aren’t illustrations or romanticized stories – just normal Japanese people as they lived over a century ago.
Japanese commenters aren’t so impressed with modern cityscapes, but are they just being nitpicky?
From breastfeeding mothers to merchant towns and an evening party with kimono-clad girls in Kyoto, these newly released artworks and photos of old Japan are simply captivating.
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!












Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
Family Mart’s Shibuya Cat Street shop hosts first-ever rescue cat photo exhibition for Cat Day
Skyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
7 hilarious/inexplicable Japan moments in South Park
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Pro gamer has perfect comeback to Sega exec’s “He looks like he eats cheese beef bowls” insult
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
7 hilarious/inexplicable Japan moments in South Park
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Pro gamer has perfect comeback to Sega exec’s “He looks like he eats cheese beef bowls” insult
Meat Butler goes viral for space-age yakiniku train system
Osaka establishes first designated smoking area in Dotonbori canal district to fight “overtourism”
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
New sushi restaurant hidden inside Tokyo Station is a secret gem
Discover some of the best snacks in Atami, a wonderland of Japanese street food
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Take a tour of Okinawa’s longest running movie theater: this creepy adult cinema
Donuts with seaweed and soy sauce — Is Japan’s Mister Donut idea too Japanese for its own good?