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.
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Recent Comments  
  • Kjeld Duits (Shamisen Craftsman)

    @Jim Clinefelter Thanks, Jim. I love it when photographers leave their name card like that! Yamamoto’s studio …

  • Jim Clinefelter (Shamisen Craftsman)

    The clue to who took this image is the kanji on the man’s haori, 寫山茂堂 …

  • Kjeld Duits (阿弥陀橋)

    高橋様 明治5年（1872年）、明治天皇の西国御巡幸の際、宮内省御用掛の写真師第一号として随行し、内田九一は長崎を訪れたので、日付を1872年に変更しました。

  • Kjeld Duits (阿弥陀橋)

    高橋様 「OLD PHOTOS OF JAPAN」のドゥイツです。ご案内誠にありがとうございます。 高橋様の情報を追加致しました。

  • 高橋信一 (阿弥陀橋)

    この長崎の写真は明治６年に内田九一が撮影したものです。国際日本文化研究センター所蔵の内田写真館のアルバムYA033に他の九一の写真といっしょに入っています。

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Meiji

Nakanocho, Yoshiwara Brothel District, Tokyo # 70621-0002
Tokyo 1890s • Yoshiwara Brothels
Meiji • City Views • Prostitution
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
Omon (Front Gate), Yoshiwara Brothel District, Tokyo # 70621-0013
Tokyo 1900s • Yoshiwara Omon
Meiji • City Views • Prostitution
Unknown • Postcard • Tomboya
Japanese Footwear # 70614-0011
1890s • Japanese Footwear
Meiji • Customs
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
Japanese Prostitutes in Yoshiwara, Tokyo # 70710-0006
Tokyo 1910s • Yoshiwara Prostitutes
Meiji • Prostitution • Women
Unknown • Postcard • Marukiya
Japanese Prostitutes in Yoshiwara, Tokyo # 70710-0007
Tokyo 1910s • Yoshiwara Prostitutes
Meiji • Prostitution • Women
Unknown • Postcard • Marukiya
Traditional Japanese Interior # 70621-0008
1890s • Woman in Room
Meiji • Customs • Women
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
Mt. Fuji from Iedzumi Village # 70621-0010
Mount Fuji 1890s • From Izumi, Shizuoka
Meiji • Rural • Scenic Views
Kimbei Kusakabe • Albumen Print • Kimbei Kusakabe
Maruyama Brothel District, Nagasaki # 70808-0001
Nagasaki 1910s • Maruyama Brothels
Meiji • City Views • Prostitution
Unknown • Postcard • Unknown
Brothel in Maruyama Prostitute Quarters, Nagasaki # 70820-0007
Nagasaki 1890s • Maruyama Brothels
Meiji • City Views • Prostitution
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown
Panoramic View on Nagasaki # 70820-0001
Nagasaki 1890s • View on City and Bay
Meiji • City Views • Scenic Views
Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami
Geisha Relaxing at Restaurant in Kyoto # 70820-0003
Kyoto 1890s • Geisha on Summer Platform
Meiji • Customs • Women
Yuji Isawa • Albumen Print • Unknown
View on Enoshima Island # 70820-0005
Enoshima 1890s • View from Katase
Meiji • Scenic Views
Kozaburo Tamamura • Albumen Print • Kozaburo Tamamura
View on Oura, Nagasaki # 70820-0006
Nagasaki 1880s • Foreign Settlement
Meiji • City Views • Hotels
Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami
Panoramic View on Osaka # 71205-0005
Osaka 1880s • View on Tennoji
Meiji • City Views • Scenic Views
Unknown • Albumen Print • Unknown