Old Tokyo
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OldTokyo.com is an online collection and gallery of vintage Japanese postcards displayed with respective historical detail, 1895-1970. Thank you for "liking"! Be sure to "repost", too!
Fukoku Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. advertising postcard, Tokyo, c. 1930, had its beginnings in 1897 as the Otaru Cargo Insurance Co. Expanding beyond its cargo insurance limitations, the company received approval in 1919 to solicit general commercial insurance coverage concerns.
Fukoku Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. advertising postcard, Tokyo, c. 1930. | Old Tokyo
"Just over two decades after the first Japanese insurer had been established, the domestic market was in a strong position in early 1900s, pushing foreign insurers to the margins and expanding oversea...
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November 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Fukoku Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. advertising postcard, Tokyo, c. 1930, had its beginnings in 1897 as the Otaru Cargo Insurance Co. Expanding beyond its cargo insurance limitations, the company received approval in 1919 to solicit general commercial insurance coverage concerns.
“Wreck of the S.S. Dakota“, 1907. The American-owned passenger liner ran aground a reef near the entrance to Tokyo Bay. The accident happened close enough to shore to avoid any deaths; passengers and cargo were evacuated before she sank.
The Wreck of the S.S. Dakota, 1907. | Old Tokyo
"When the two huge 20,000-ton sister steamers Dakota and Minnesota, owned by the Great Northern Steamship Company of New York and Seattle, were offered for insurance at Lloyd’s they were treated on mu...
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November 11, 2025 at 9:16 PM
“Wreck of the S.S. Dakota“, 1907. The American-owned passenger liner ran aground a reef near the entrance to Tokyo Bay. The accident happened close enough to shore to avoid any deaths; passengers and cargo were evacuated before she sank.
“Princess Turandot” [トゥーランドット姫], Takarazuka Revue advertising postcard, Tokyo, 1934. The image features the musical’s two stars – Kusabe Yoshiko (left, as Princess Turandot) and Nara Miyako (Prince Calaf) – bracketed at the bottom by a production patron’s advertisement for Club toothpaste.
“Princess Turandot”, Takarazuka Revue advertising postcard, Tokyo, 1934. | Old Tokyo
See also: Takarazuka Gekijo (Theater), Tokyo Takarazuka Revue, “Parisette”, c. 1930. "Club Washing Powder" [クラブ洗粉] advertising postcards, c. 1910. Princess Turandot was based on Count Carlo Gozzi's Tu...
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November 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
“Princess Turandot” [トゥーランドット姫], Takarazuka Revue advertising postcard, Tokyo, 1934. The image features the musical’s two stars – Kusabe Yoshiko (left, as Princess Turandot) and Nara Miyako (Prince Calaf) – bracketed at the bottom by a production patron’s advertisement for Club toothpaste.
“Domestic and International Communications Network of Correspondents” advertising postcard, Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun, Tokyo, c. 1940.
““Domestic and International Communications Network” advertising postcard, Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun, Tokyo, c. 1940. | Old Tokyo
See also: Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun (Newspaper), Yurakucho, c. 1930. “How Newspapers Come to Be”, Tokyo Asashi Shimbun operations postcard series, c. 1935. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun, founded in 18...
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November 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“Domestic and International Communications Network of Correspondents” advertising postcard, Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun, Tokyo, c. 1940.
“Boy Scouts practising the motto ‘A good turn daily'”, c. 1920. The Japanese caption (一日一善ノ實行) translates to ‘doing one good deed each day’.(Colorized)
“Boy Scouts practising the motto ‘A good turn daily’”, c. 1920. (Colorized) | Old Tokyo
"The Boy Scouts' movement in Japan dates from about 1913, when they were organized in different parts of the country, but they then were only juvenile cadet corps for military training or simply assoc...
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November 7, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“Boy Scouts practising the motto ‘A good turn daily'”, c. 1920. The Japanese caption (一日一善ノ實行) translates to ‘doing one good deed each day’.(Colorized)
“Mr. M. Oshiro, the proprietor of the Oshiro Steamship Co., Tokyo, and some other business men, intend to purchase the Rosetta Maru and to convert her to a floating hotel. The ship will be anchored in Yokohama and sometimes in Shinagawa.”
– The Japan Weekly Mail, January 26, 1907
– The Japan Weekly Mail, January 26, 1907
Roseta hoter [sic], Tokyo, c. 1910. | Old Tokyo
"Mr. M. Oshiro, the proprietor of the Oshiro Steamship Co., Tokyo, and some other business men, intend to purchase the Rosetta Maru and to convert her to a floating hotel. The ship will be anchored in...
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November 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
“Mr. M. Oshiro, the proprietor of the Oshiro Steamship Co., Tokyo, and some other business men, intend to purchase the Rosetta Maru and to convert her to a floating hotel. The ship will be anchored in Yokohama and sometimes in Shinagawa.”
– The Japan Weekly Mail, January 26, 1907
– The Japan Weekly Mail, January 26, 1907
“Festive lighting of the 2nd Section”, Peace Commemorative Exposition, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1922, with the Peace Tower at center.
Evening illuminations, Peace Commemorative Exposition, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1922. | Old Tokyo
See also: Peace Commemorative Exposition, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1922. "Preparations for the Tokyo Peace Exposition which is to be held next spring in Uyeno Park are advancing apace. "A large force of offi...
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November 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
“Festive lighting of the 2nd Section”, Peace Commemorative Exposition, Ueno Park, Tokyo, 1922, with the Peace Tower at center.
50th Anniversary commemorative postcard, Nankai Railway Co., Osaka, 1934. The privately-owned and operated Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. was founded on June 16, 1884 as the Osaka-Sakaikan Railway, the first railway company in Japan to be established purely by private capital.
50th Anniversary commemorative postcard, Nankai Railway Co., Osaka, 1934. | Old Tokyo
The privately-owned and operated Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. was founded on June 16, 1884 as the Osaka-Sakaikan Railway, the first railway company in Japan to be established purely by private ca...
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November 4, 2025 at 7:43 PM
50th Anniversary commemorative postcard, Nankai Railway Co., Osaka, 1934. The privately-owned and operated Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. was founded on June 16, 1884 as the Osaka-Sakaikan Railway, the first railway company in Japan to be established purely by private capital.
“Stand Tall”, Fine Rubber zori inserts/lifts advertising postcard, c. 1930, a synthetic rubber product manufactured by the Small Goods Rubber Manufacturing Co., Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Endorsing the product on this postcard is Kawasaki Hiroko, a popular Shochiku motion pictures actress in the 1930s.
“Stand Tall”, Fine Rubber zori inserts advertising postcard, Nihonbashi, Tokyo, c. 1930. | Old Tokyo
See also: Nippon Tabi Co. Ltd., Kurume, Fukuoka, c. 1930. “Pulling the sled”, c. 1950. Unknown woodblock artist. Zōri (Japanese sandal) wearers sometimes added "fine rubber" heel pads or lifts to enha...
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November 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
“Stand Tall”, Fine Rubber zori inserts/lifts advertising postcard, c. 1930, a synthetic rubber product manufactured by the Small Goods Rubber Manufacturing Co., Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Endorsing the product on this postcard is Kawasaki Hiroko, a popular Shochiku motion pictures actress in the 1930s.
“Like Mont St. Michel in Normandy ... Enoshima is only completely surrounded by the waves at high tide.
“[W]hen the waters abate, a stretch of sand is revealed, rendering it possible to cross to the island dryshod.”
– “Enoshima”, The Japan Magazine, July 1912
“[W]hen the waters abate, a stretch of sand is revealed, rendering it possible to cross to the island dryshod.”
– “Enoshima”, The Japan Magazine, July 1912
Enoshima Island at low tide, c. 1910. | Old Tokyo
See also: “Whole View of Yenoshima” from Katase, c. 1910. Enoshima, c. 1910-1960. "Like Mont St. Michel in Normandy, and its namesake St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall, Enoshima is only completely surro...
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October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
“Like Mont St. Michel in Normandy ... Enoshima is only completely surrounded by the waves at high tide.
“[W]hen the waters abate, a stretch of sand is revealed, rendering it possible to cross to the island dryshod.”
– “Enoshima”, The Japan Magazine, July 1912
“[W]hen the waters abate, a stretch of sand is revealed, rendering it possible to cross to the island dryshod.”
– “Enoshima”, The Japan Magazine, July 1912
A Tokyo high school’s class excursion outside Zushi Station, Zushi, c. 1910. Shūgaku ryokō [lit., “school excursion”] are educational overnight trips organized by schools to provide students with study, recreational and group labor opportunities they would otherwise never experience.
High school class excurision to the Miura peninsula in line outside Zushi Station, Zushi, c. 1910. | Old Tokyo
See also: “The seashore of Zushi”, Miura Peninsula, near Tokyo, c. 1925. Hayama Beach, Kamakura, c. 1910. Kamakura Station, c. 1910. “All the staff and students of Kinjo Girls’ School”, Nagoya, c. 192...
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October 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A Tokyo high school’s class excursion outside Zushi Station, Zushi, c. 1910. Shūgaku ryokō [lit., “school excursion”] are educational overnight trips organized by schools to provide students with study, recreational and group labor opportunities they would otherwise never experience.
J.N.R. Tokaido Main Line Limited Express commemorative advertising postcard, 1958, announcing the introduction of “Kodama”, “Tsubame”, “Fuji” and “Hato” high-speed express service on the Tokaido Main Line between Tokyo & Osaka on October 1, 1958.
J.N.R. Tokaido Main Line Limited Express commemorative advertising postcard, October 1958. | Old Tokyo
See also: Tokaido Main Line “Kodama”, c. 1960. C55 Streamlined Locomotive and Mt. Fuji, c. 1940. Tokaido Main Line Railway, c. 1930. "On July 21, 1959, the M.U. electric streamliner Kodama set the wor...
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October 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
J.N.R. Tokaido Main Line Limited Express commemorative advertising postcard, 1958, announcing the introduction of “Kodama”, “Tsubame”, “Fuji” and “Hato” high-speed express service on the Tokaido Main Line between Tokyo & Osaka on October 1, 1958.
“Hall of Long Life”, Hoshi Onsen Chōjukan, Minakami-machi, Gunma Prefecture, c. 1920. Guests of the inn pose outdoors of the 150-year-old onsen ryokan [hot spring inn], enjoying the winter mountain air after soaking in one of the four onsen the famous inn provides. #japan #onsen
“Hall of Long Life”, Hoshi Onsen Chōjukan, Minakami-machi, Gunma Prefecture, c. 1920. | Old Tokyo
See also: Onsen (hot springs) culture. Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama (Iyo District), Ehime, Shikoku, c. 1910. Izu Funabara Onsen postcard series, Izu City, Shizuoka, c. 1930. Chōjukan ryokan (inn) at Hōshi On...
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October 27, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Hebihime-sama (“Snake Princess”) was the first installment of a two-part serial "all-star" movie, released by Toho Eiga in April, 1940. The director, Teinosuke Kinugasa, was an important figure in early Japanese cinema, as a pioneering filmmaker and a link to postwar prestige cinema.
“Snake Princess” (Hebihime-sama), Toho Movie Studios promotional postcard, 1940. | Old Tokyo
See also: Tokyo-Takazaruka Eiga K.K. (Tokyo-Takarazuka Motion Picture Co.) studio, c. 1938. “Tokyo Matsuri” advertising postcard, 1933. “Gekimetsu” (“Annihilation”) motion picture advertising postcard...
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September 15, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Hebihime-sama (“Snake Princess”) was the first installment of a two-part serial "all-star" movie, released by Toho Eiga in April, 1940. The director, Teinosuke Kinugasa, was an important figure in early Japanese cinema, as a pioneering filmmaker and a link to postwar prestige cinema.
Discovered over 300 years ago, access to these hot springs were initially exclusive to monks and daimyo samurai. The springs became accessible to the general public during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
“Hotels seen on side of fine stream”, Kinugawa Onsen District, Nikko, c. 1930. | Old Tokyo
See also: Kanaya Hotel, Nikko, c. 1920. “Three Monkeys carving at Iyeyasu Temple”, Nikko, c. 1920. Nikko, Japan, c. 1910. The Kinugawa Onsen area itself has a storied past. Discovered over 300 years a...
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April 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Discovered over 300 years ago, access to these hot springs were initially exclusive to monks and daimyo samurai. The springs became accessible to the general public during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Mitsubishi Ki-1 “Army Type 93” Heavy Bomber, c. 1935, in formation over the Great Wall of China. Already obsolete by when introduced in 1932, it did find use during counterinsurgency operations of the Pacification of Manchukuo, as well as limited use during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Mitsubishi Ki-1 “Army Type 93” Heavy Bomber, c. 1935. | Old Tokyo
See also: Mitsubishi Ki-2-I & Ki-2-II “Army Type 93” Light Bomber, c. 1935. I.J.A. Mitsubishi Ki-21 Type 97 (“Sally”) Heavy Bomber, ca. 1938. The Mitsubishi Ki-1, also known as Mitsubishi Army Type 93...
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April 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Mitsubishi Ki-1 “Army Type 93” Heavy Bomber, c. 1935, in formation over the Great Wall of China. Already obsolete by when introduced in 1932, it did find use during counterinsurgency operations of the Pacification of Manchukuo, as well as limited use during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Chindonya were elaborately-costumed street musicians and touts who advertised for shops, restaurants, and other establishments, seen here taking a break from the rigors of street performances by celebrating the season’s hanami picnic-style under the blossoms of Asukayama. Tokyo.
O-hanami gathering of a “chindonya” troupe at Asukayama, Tokyo, c. 1910. | Old Tokyo
"Brilliant is the career of the cherry-bloom, glorious is the life it pursues. But more brilliant and more glorious is the end it faces. "For the bloom tarries not till its beauty fades, its fame depa...
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April 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Chindonya were elaborately-costumed street musicians and touts who advertised for shops, restaurants, and other establishments, seen here taking a break from the rigors of street performances by celebrating the season’s hanami picnic-style under the blossoms of Asukayama. Tokyo.
Reposted by Old Tokyo
Little bar in Asakusa,
your sign made me smile.
your sign made me smile.
April 11, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Little bar in Asakusa,
your sign made me smile.
your sign made me smile.
“Year of the Goat (Sheep)”, New Years advertising postcard, Kyoto, c. 1931.
“Year of the Sheep” (or “Goat”), New Year’s advertising postcards, 1931. | Old Tokyo
Above: Front and reverse of a family's small business 1931 New Year's advertising postcard. On the reverse side, it reads: "On the occasion of a happy New Year, I congratulate you and your family on y...
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April 11, 2025 at 6:25 AM
“Year of the Goat (Sheep)”, New Years advertising postcard, Kyoto, c. 1931.
Nikko Motor Bus, Nikko, c. 1940. Two modified 1937 Japanese-manufactured Chevrolet “open buses” negotiate the sharp, hairpin turns of the Iroha-zaka, connecting Nikko with Lake Chuzenji. The drive between Nikko and Chuzenji, consisting of 32 hairpin curves in 1940, added a memorable thrill.
Nikko Motor Bus Co. tour of Nikko, c. 1940. | Old Tokyo
"For a weekend to remember, and one lavish with gorgeous scenery, take the journey from Tokyo to Nikko and Lake Chuzenji. "Nikko is one of the two most noted shrine and temple cities in Japan, and sho...
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April 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Nikko Motor Bus, Nikko, c. 1940. Two modified 1937 Japanese-manufactured Chevrolet “open buses” negotiate the sharp, hairpin turns of the Iroha-zaka, connecting Nikko with Lake Chuzenji. The drive between Nikko and Chuzenji, consisting of 32 hairpin curves in 1940, added a memorable thrill.
Cherry Blossoms at Mukojima, c. 1910, across the Sumida River from Asakusa. Excursion boats tie up, bringing crowds of visitors each spring to Mukojima’s famous cherry trees during o-hanami. (Tap for a gallery.) #skytorians #cherryblossoms #mukojima #tokyo
Cherry Blossoms at Mukojima, c. 1910. | Old Tokyo
See also: O-hanami (Cherry Blossoms Viewing). Yaomatsu Restaurant, Mukojima, c. 1910. Koganei Cherry Blossoms, c. 1910. "There is a river with arched bridges, and along the bank a road bordered on eit...
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April 7, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Cherry Blossoms at Mukojima, c. 1910, across the Sumida River from Asakusa. Excursion boats tie up, bringing crowds of visitors each spring to Mukojima’s famous cherry trees during o-hanami. (Tap for a gallery.) #skytorians #cherryblossoms #mukojima #tokyo
A ride down the Hozu River, Kyoto, c. 1920. Back-caption: “Among the numerous tourist attractions of Kyoto and its environs is what is known as ‘shooting the Hozu rapids’." After logging transport moved overland, a stretch of the Hozugawa evolved into a popular tourist attraction.
“Shooting the Hozu rapids” on the Hozu River, Kyoto, c. 1920. | Old Tokyo
See also: “The Hodzu Rapids”, Kyoto, c. 1910. Fishing at Hozu River, Kyoto, c. 1910. The Hozugawa River was originally employed to transport logs that were used to build many of Kyoto and Osaka's famo...
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April 3, 2025 at 3:59 PM
A ride down the Hozu River, Kyoto, c. 1920. Back-caption: “Among the numerous tourist attractions of Kyoto and its environs is what is known as ‘shooting the Hozu rapids’." After logging transport moved overland, a stretch of the Hozugawa evolved into a popular tourist attraction.
Reposted by Old Tokyo
Some close friends and mentors helped me with the @pacificguide.bsky.social project, but there’s a few more who inspired and guided me, even if they didn’t know it. Shoutout to @axe99.bsky.social @oldtokyo.bsky.social @thegreatwargroup.bsky.social and @hush-ndb.bsky.social I truly appreciate you! 🙇♂️
Greetings everyone and welcome to the official launch of Pacific History Guide! This website has been my labor of love for the past several months and I am so excited to finally share it with the world. 1/10
March 30, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Some close friends and mentors helped me with the @pacificguide.bsky.social project, but there’s a few more who inspired and guided me, even if they didn’t know it. Shoutout to @axe99.bsky.social @oldtokyo.bsky.social @thegreatwargroup.bsky.social and @hush-ndb.bsky.social I truly appreciate you! 🙇♂️
“A riveting new Japanese naval attack aircraft just before its departure for South Pacific Base 00”, I.J.N. Mitsubishi G4M (“Betty”) medium bomber propaganda postcard, 1943. The G4M became the most widely produced and most famous bomber operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
I.J.N. Mitsubishi G4M (“Betty”) Medium Bomber propaganda postcard, c. 1943. | Old Tokyo
See also: Sinking the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse propaganda postcard, 1941. I.J.A. Mitsubishi Ki-21 Type 97 (“Sally”) Heavy Bomber, ca. 1938. Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero”, c. 1940. Mitsubishi G1M1,...
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March 31, 2025 at 5:20 PM
“A riveting new Japanese naval attack aircraft just before its departure for South Pacific Base 00”, I.J.N. Mitsubishi G4M (“Betty”) medium bomber propaganda postcard, 1943. The G4M became the most widely produced and most famous bomber operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
“The Edogawa, a canal in the Koshikawa quarter is a mile of double blossoms doubled in beauty by reflection, and boats up and down this lane of flowers as the most beautiful of all cherry-blossom effects.” - The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Vol. 79, 1910
Links to gallery
Links to gallery
Yedogawa, Tokyo, c. 1910. | Old Tokyo
"The Edogawa, a canal in the Koshikawa quarter, near the arsenal, is a mile of double blossoms doubled in beauty by reflection, and boats up and down this lane of flowers as the most beautiful of all ...
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March 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
“The Edogawa, a canal in the Koshikawa quarter is a mile of double blossoms doubled in beauty by reflection, and boats up and down this lane of flowers as the most beautiful of all cherry-blossom effects.” - The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Vol. 79, 1910
Links to gallery
Links to gallery