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!
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
Mt Fuji installs new emergency shelters ahead of the 2026 climbing season
International fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
Weekly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America- Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Nearly half of Pokémon hot spring’s statues have been damaged less than two months after opening
Monthly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Yearly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
Mt Fuji installs new emergency shelters ahead of the 2026 climbing season
International fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japanese theme park adding Immersive Death Game with a “bomb collar” you have to wear
Video of man spraying liquid on conveyor belt sushi leads to arrest in Japan
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
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