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!












Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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Fives places around Japan to appreciate the plum blossoms this season
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Playing Switch 2 games with just one hand is possible thanks to Japanese peripheral maker
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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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
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Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
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New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
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】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
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
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Playing Switch 2 games with just one hand is possible thanks to Japanese peripheral maker
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The other side of Shibuya Station has a great restaurant for trying tamagokakegohan
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Kyoto’s pinkest, cutest new restaurant is the start of a new life for retired train cars
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Cat wedding and engagement rings by Japanese design house feature gorgeous feline details
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
Depopulation in Japan leads company to renovate two apartments into one huge living space
New zombie ship sets sail in Japan, includes Shinkansen tickets and all-you-can-eat sushi
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth