OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN, a photo blog of Japan in the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods

Old Photos of Japan
shows photos of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s. In 1854, Japan opened its doors to the outside world for the first time in more than 200 years. It set in motion a truly astounding transformation. As fate would have it, photography had just been invented. As the old country vanished and a new one was born, daring photographers took photos. Discover what life was like with their rare and precious photographs of old Japan.
About
About us
Contact us
Recent Comments  
Good Book Tip
Felice Beato: A Photographer on the Eastern Road • Anne Lacoste, Fred Ritchin

Felice Beato (1832–1909) lived and worked in Japan from 1863 through 1884, just as the country opened its doors to the world. He was extremely active in Japan, and portrayed the Japanese with dignity and as equals of Westerners. He was the first photographer in Japan to sell albums of his works. Most likely, it was Beato that introduced the later so diligently followed concept of “views” and “types” to photography of Japan.


Read Full Article
Buy now at Amazon!
More book tips

City Views

160307-0027 - Windmill at Ueno-Hirokoji, Tokyo # 160307-0027
Tokyo 1870s • Windmill at Ueno-Hirokoji
Meiji • Buildings • City Views
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
160301-0026 Shinagawa Station Tokyo 1880s # 160301-0026
Tokyo 1880s • Shinagawa Station
Meiji • Railways • City Views
Kuichi Uchida • Albumen Print • Kuichi Uchida
Enokojima Prefectural Office in Osaka # 70219-0004
Osaka 1910s • Prefectural Office
Meiji • Buildings • City Views
Unknown • Postcard • Unknown
100908-0008 - Tokyo Nihonbashi Fish Market # 100908-0008
Tokyo 1890s • Nihonbashi Fishmarket
Meiji • City Views • Transport
Henry Strohmeyer • Stereoview • Underwood & Underwood
70130-0017 - Tomitake Theater # 70130-0017
Yokohama 1900s • Tomitake Theater
Meiji • Buildings • City Views
Unknown • Postcard • Unknown
80421-0001: View on Kobe # 80421-0001
Kobe 1870s • View from Mount Suwa
Meiji • City Views
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
Asakusa, Tokyo # 70602-0009
Tokyo 1880s • Asakusa Theaters
Meiji • Buildings • City Views
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
70301-0020 - Kobe City Hall # 70301-0020
Kobe 1910s • Kobe City Hall
Taisho • Buildings • City Views
Unknown • Postcard • Kobe City Hall
Manseibashi Station, Tokyo # 70222-0003
Tokyo 1920s • Manseibashi Station
Showa • City Views • Transport
Unknown • Postcard • Unknown
Nihonbashi, Tokyo # 71204-0002
Tokyo 1890s • Koamicho, Nihonbashi
Meiji • City Views • Transport
Kazumasa Ogawa • Collotype Print • Kazumasa Ogawa
Osaka Central Wholesale Market # 70206-0038
Osaka 1930s • Central Wholesale Market
Showa • Buildings • City Views
Unknown • Postcard • Unknown
70206-0006 - Yokohama Pier # 70206-0006
Yokohama 1910s • Yokohama Pier
Taisho • City Views
Unknown • Postcard • Unknown
Ueno Park Hill, Tokyo # 71204-0006
Tokyo 1890s • Streetcar in Ueno
Meiji • City Views • Transport
Kazumasa Ogawa • Collotype Print • Kazumasa Ogawa
Shinbashi Geisha Houses, Tokyo # 71204-0003
Tokyo 1890s • Geisha Houses, Shinbashi
Meiji • City Views
Kazumasa Ogawa • Collotype Print • Kazumasa Ogawa