Old Photos of Japan rescues rare images of daily life in old Japan
Learn more about this project

80122-0003 - The Tokaido Highway about 30 Miles from Yokohama, Japan, 1930

Tokaido 1930
Car on the Tokaido

Artist	Unknown
Publisher	New York State Education Department
Medium	Glass Slide
Period	Showa
Location	Tokaido
Image No.	80122-0003
Purchase	Digital File
Author	Kjeld Duits

A single car on a modernized Tokaido, the main connection between Edo (current Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo Period (1603 and 1867).

This photo was shot in 1930, some 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Yokohama.

The Tokaido’s famous scenes of countless travelers on foot soon vanished after the first railroad connection between Tokyo and Kobe was completed in the late 1880s. Although the first cars were produced in Japan during the early 1900s, and this image shows a car on the Tokaido, the condition of most roads was so bad that cars didn’t really take off in Japan until after WWII.

This glass slide is one of a series of slides of Japan that was used by the New York State Education Department to teach students about Japan.

Published October 25, 2008
Updated December 8, 2021 12:38 AM

Reader Supported

Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage and to bring the experiences of everyday life in old Japan to you.

To enhance our understanding of Japanese culture and society I track down, acquire, archive, and research images of everyday life, and give them context.

I share what I have found for free on this site, without ads or selling your data.

Your support helps me to continue doing so, and ensures that this exceptional visual heritage will not be lost and forgotten.

Thank you,
Kjeld Duits

support

Reference for Citations

Duits, Kjeld (December 8, 2021). Tokaido 1930: Car on the Tokaido, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on April 21, 2026 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/446/car-on-the-tokaido

Explore More

Mount Fuji 1890s
From Izumi, Shizuoka

A gorgeous view on a snowcapped Mount Fuji as seen from the small village of Izumi (泉) in Shizuoka prefecture.

Kawasaki 1870s
Crossing Japan's 'Raging Rivers'

Three boatmen transport passengers and a rickshaw on the famed ferry at Kawasaki, the second station on the Tōkaidō. Although this scene is peaceful, river crossings rightfully terrified travelers in old Japan.

Yokohama 1929
Ships in Port

Ships in the harbor of Yokohama. This photo was taken from the s.s. Malolo which visited Yokohama Harbor in October 1929 (Showa 4).

Add Comment

There are currently no comments on this article.

Tokaido 1930Car on the Tokaido