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Tokyo 1910s
Asakusa Nakamise

Artist	Unknown
Publisher	Unknown
Medium	Postcard
Period	Meiji
Location	Tokyo
Image No.	80131-0022
Purchase	Digital File
Author	Kjeld Duits

The Nakamise souvenir shops at the Buddhist temple Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The brick shops along the entrance road to Senso-ji were built in 1885 (Meiji 18). They were destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 (Taisho 12), but they were rebuilt in concrete in 1925 (Taisho 14).

The Asakusa Nakamise after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 (Taisho 12).

For detailed information about the Nakamise, read Tokyo 1934 • Asakusa Nakamise.

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Published October 30, 2008
Updated December 3, 2021 7:16 AM

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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

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Reference for Citations

Duits, Kjeld (December 3, 2021). Tokyo 1910s: Asakusa Nakamise, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on April 22, 2026 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/612/asakusa-nakamise-brick

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This photo of a crowd walking past shops along the approach to the Buddhist temple Senso-ji was taken some time in May 1934. Notable is that while most men and even the children already wear Western clothing, the women still wear kimono.

Tornadoes28

I visited here in 2004. It still looks very similar. I understand the temple was destroyed in the war. Is that true?

#000286 · October 30, 2008

Kjeld Duits (Author)

Yes, that is right. The temple burnt down and was rebuilt after the end of WWII. See the full story about the Nakamise here: Tokyo 1934 • Asakusa Nakamise. I think I may have an image of the temple as well. It will probably be uploaded some time next year.

#000287 · October 31, 2008

Amara

As someone who has had the pleasure of visiting Asakusa these pictures really are a great look back in time. I reached your site through friends on my Twitter, @amazinglyamara . I really look forward to more historical photos in the future!

#000429 · October 11, 2009

Tokyo 1910sAsakusa Nakamise