- English
- 日本語
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
Good Book Tip
Samurai: An Illustrated History • Mitsuo Kure
A chronological coverage of samurai history detailing the main battles, personnel, weaponry and fortifications. Line drawings of fortifications and armor, and photographs of battle re-enactments conducted by historical re-enactment societies bring the battles back to life.
Read Full Article
Buy now at Amazon!
More book tips
License any photo!
MeijiShowa
License all the photos on this site at our boutique photo agency for vintage photographs, illustrations and maps of Japan between the 1860s and 1930s (Meiji, Taisho, early Showa)
Periods
Themes
Ainu
At Work
Bridges
Buildings
Castles
Children
City Views
Customs
Disasters
Hotels
New Year
People
Prostitution
Railways
Religious
Rural
Scenic Views
Shops
Temples & Shrines
Tokaido
Transport
Weddings
Women
At Work
Bridges
Buildings
Castles
Children
City Views
Customs
Disasters
Hotels
New Year
People
Prostitution
Railways
Religious
Rural
Scenic Views
Shops
Temples & Shrines
Tokaido
Transport
Weddings
Women
Places
Arashiyama
Arima
Beppu
Enoshima
Hakone
Himeji
Hiroshima
Inside
Kinosaki
Kobe
Kyoto
Miyajima
Mount Fuji
Nagasaki
Nagoya
Nara
Nikko
Okayama
Osaka
Outside
Shikoku
Studio
Tokaido
Tokyo
Utsunomiya
Yokohama
Arima
Beppu
Enoshima
Hakone
Himeji
Hiroshima
Inside
Kinosaki
Kobe
Kyoto
Miyajima
Mount Fuji
Nagasaki
Nagoya
Nara
Nikko
Okayama
Osaka
Outside
Shikoku
Studio
Tokaido
Tokyo
Utsunomiya
Yokohama
Photographers
Nobukuni Enami
|
# 80717-0021 Tokyo, 1880s • Ginza and Kyobashi Meiji • City Views Nobukuni Enami • Glass Slide • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 70601-0018 1890s • Basket and Broom Peddler Meiji • At Work • People Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 70802-0010 Yokohama, 1890s • Dezome-shiki Meiji • Customs • New Year Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 70208-0010 Kyoto 1890s • Pagoda at Kiyomizu Meiji • City Views • Temples & Shrines Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 70319-0008 Hakone 1890s • Rural Road Meiji • Scenic Views • Tokaido Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 70820-0001 Nagasaki 1890s • View on City and Bay Meiji • City Views • Scenic Views Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 70820-0006 Nagasaki 1880s • Foreign Settlement Meiji • City Views • Hotels Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
|
# 71205-0018 Tokyo 1890s • View from Atago-yama Meiji • City Views Nobukuni Enami • Albumen Print • Nobukuni Enami |
OldPhotosJapan.com — a photo blog about old Japan that reads like a book and works like an archive. All the photographs are from the Kjeld Duits Collection and available for licensing at MeijiShowa.com. Use when you need historical photos, maps or illustrations of Japan for your newspaper article, book, documentary, advertising or other project. For questions, contact us.
@Rohan Gillett: Thank you. Although I live relatively close by, I still haven't visited!
@Jim Clinefelter Thanks for all the information, Jim, and apologies for the extremely slow response …
More amazing pictures! And another equally amazing story! The Mikasa was a great …
@Rohan Gillett Thank you for your kind and enthusiastic words, Rohan. I am currently taking …
What a fantastic website!! I think I know a lot about Tokyo but feel …