old photos
Stroll the streets of Electric Town at a time when computers and video games were just beginning to appear on the scene.
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!
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Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Nagoya’s dark-red miso has continued to capture tastebuds for generations
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Tokyo has a brand new Harry Potter shop with its own butterbeer bar – Let’s see what’s inside【Pics】
Weekly
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens- 7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
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7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Tokyo has a brand new Harry Potter shop with its own butterbeer bar – Let’s see what’s inside【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Prepare for a “poopoopoo” picnic with Nintendo’s Kirby at Kiddyland this month
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Studio Ghibli kashira piggy bank head from Spirited Away will help you save money, the anime way
World’s only double-helix wooden structure, Aizu Sazaedo, is mysterious both outside and inside
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