Welcome to Retro Japan Culture

Discover the forgotten beauty of everyday life in Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa Japan. Explore historical photographs and stories about homes, food, traditions, childhood, and seasonal customs.

Explore by Category

Home & Lifestyle

Homes, household items, beauty, hygiene, and everyday living.Read more →

Food & Drink

Traditional foods, drinks, cafés, lunch culture, and healthy living.Read more →

Nature & Animals

Flowers, gardens, pets, insects, and Japan’s changing seasons.Read more →

Entertainment

Games, performances, exhibitions, magic lanterns, and popular amusements.Read more →

Education & Childhood

School life, children’s games, textbooks, and growing up in Japan.Read more →

Customs & Traditions

Festivals, seasonal customs, birthdays, family traditions, and ceremonies.Read more →

Popular Articles

Start with these articles to discover the charm of everyday life in old Japan.

When Did Tsukimi Become Something We Eat?
What is tsukimi? Learn how tsukimi dango differs from tsukimi soba, udon, and modern tsukimi burgers, and why these foods are called “tsukimi.”
retrojpn.com
2026.08.18
Chūya Nakahara and Osamu Dazai
Chūya Nakahara and Osamu Dazai: two writers who drank, argued, and crossed paths in the world of Japanese literature. Explore the story of their complicated relationship through surviving records.
retrojpn.com
2026.09.08
When Did People in Japan Grow Older?
Did people in Japan always grow one year older on their birthdays? In fact, birthdays and the days when people’s ages increased were once different. Explore the history of birthdays and the shift from kazoedoshi to full age.
retrojpn.com
2026.09.08
Visual Culture in Japan Before Cinema
What Did People Watch and Enjoy Before Electricity?Today, when we think of visual entertainment, we often think of thing...
retrojpn.com
2026.08.16
Autumn in Japan for Children ー Seasonal Events from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa Eras
How did children in Japan enjoy autumn during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras? Explore traditional autumn events such as moon viewing, Shichi-Go-San, sports festivals, and school field trips.
retrojpn.com
2026.08.31

Latest Articles

Read the latest additions to Retro Japan Culture and discover something new.

What Is a Japanese School Excursion Really Like?
Shichi-Go-San in the Meiji Era — Celebrating a Child’s Growth
When Did People in Japan Grow Older?
Was Akiko Yosano’s Childbirth Pain-Free? A Woman Who Had 11 Children
Chūya Nakahara and Osamu Dazai