Our Collection
Albumen and other prints, stereoviews, glass slides, negatives, postcards, illustrations, ukiyoe, posters, books, newspapers, magazines, advertising flyers, maps, paper money, more.
We collect and protect Japan’s visual heritage of everyday life between the 1850s and 1960s. Since 2007, we have acquired, scanned and researched many thousands of rare vintage images.
Albumen and other prints, stereoviews, glass slides, negatives, postcards, illustrations, ukiyoe, posters, books, newspapers, magazines, advertising flyers, maps, paper money, more.
Images that show historical and social context. Our main focus is everyday life, such as customs, people at work, street views, architecture, clothing, and so on.
We use old maps, primary documents, and published sources. Many articles feature contemporary maps with marked locations, and a link to a Google Map to see the place today.
We don’t charge for access, sell user data, run ads, or track you. We rely on licensing, selling art prints, and the generosity of individual supporters. If you can, please consider supporting us.
Old Photos of Japan was launched by Kjeld Duits, the founder of DUITS, a boutique journalism and stock photography agency in Tokyo. Japan has been his home since 1982.