From Showa to Heisei and now, to Reiwa, Japan has suffered many changes and many have realized how the scenery gradually changes and became something completely different from how it was during the Showa Period.
Most of the changes can be considerably seen in the capital of Japan, Tokyo.
The city has changed dramatically over time and the most famous spots, buildings, streets, shops have come and gone while the urban development kept taking place.
The city has now become a very convenient place to live in especially because it has flourished during the years.
However, people that were born in the Showa period, even the beginning of Heisei sometimes might find it difficult to accept some changes or have mixed feelings regarding the quick development of their hometown.
Even though at the beginning they might’ve felt excited and happy, with years passing by, they begin missing the old and start getting a bit lonely.
Gradually, old townscapes fade from our memory, so that’s why I want you to have a look at these beautiful pictures that will make you feel nostalgic and bring back Showa period’s beautiful scenery of Tokyo:
Nihonbashi is the bridge in the center of Edo and Japan and was established in 1604. Since then, it has been rebuilt many times and eventually became a national important cultural property in Heisei 11(1999).
Tokyo Tower is one of the most visited spots in the capital. Not only is it a magnificent tower that rises up to the skies of the capital city, but it is also the symbol of Tokyo.
Its construction began in 1957 and was completed in a short period of time, therefore people were surprised to see that such a beautiful tower could be built at an unprecedented speed.
The Tokyo Station opened in the Taisho Period, year 3 (1914) and has been popular as one of the capital city’s symbols.
Even though the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 didn’t cause any significant damage to the building, the fire during 1945 destroyed a few parts of the building including the rooftop.
After the war in 1947, it was rebuilt into a two-story building, but from 2007 to 2012, it was again restored to its original appearance of a three-story construction.
However, it looked much different before when things were slowly starting to develop.
In the pictures above, you can observe the nostalgic feeling of the Showa Period’s Shinjuku.
With these pictures above, I hope you got a glimpse of how Tokyo used to look like and I would recommend visiting these places nowadays, but keeping in mind how their image has changed during the past years.
I enjoy thinking about how places evolved during the time and walking through familiar spots while searching for buildings that were there before and also looking back at the old retro streets in postcards or old pictures, so I recommend trying it out, as well.
From Showa to Heisei and now, to Reiwa, Japan has suffered many changes and many have realized how the scenery gradually changes and became something completely different from how it was during the Showa Period.
Most of the changes can be considerably seen in the capital of Japan, Tokyo. The city has changed dramatically over time and the most famous spots, buildings, streets, shops have come and gone while the urban development kept taking place.
The city has now become a very convenient place to live in especially because it has flourished during the years.
However, people that were born in the Showa period, even the beginning of Heisei sometimes might find it difficult to accept some changes or have mixed feelings regarding the quick development of their hometown.
Even though at the beginning they might’ve felt excited and happy, with years passing by, they begin missing the old and start getting a bit lonely.
Gradually, old townscapes fade from our memory, so that’s why I want you to have a look at these beautiful pictures that will make you feel nostalgic and bring back Showa period’s beautiful scenery of Tokyo:
1. Nihonbashi
Nihonbashi is the bridge in the center of Edo and Japan and was established in 1604. Since then, it has been rebuilt many times and eventually became a national important cultural property in Heisei 11(1999).
2. Tokyo Tower and Kasumigaseki Building
Tokyo Tower is one of the most visited spots in the capital. Not only is it a magnificent tower that rises up to the skies of the capital city, but it is also the symbol of Tokyo.
Its construction began in 1957 and was completed in a short period of time, therefore people were surprised to see that such a beautiful tower could be built at an unprecedented speed.
In only one and half a year, Tokyo Tower showed was made and got its official name of “Japan Radio Tower”(日本電波塔/Nippon denpatō ).
3. Tokyo Station
The Tokyo Station opened in the Taisho Period, year 3 (1914) and has been popular as one of the capital city’s symbols.
Even though the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 didn’t cause any significant damage to the building, the fire during 1945 destroyed a few parts of the building including the rooftop.
After the war in 1947, it was rebuilt into a two-story building, but from 2007 to 2012, it was again restored to its original appearance of a three-story construction.
4. Shinjuku
Shinjuku has an image of tall buildings, skyscrapers and indeed, from Showa to Heisei such building started to appear one after another.
However, it looked much different before when things were slowly starting to develop. In the pictures above, you can observe the nostalgic feeling of the Showa Period’s Shinjuku.
With these pictures above, I hope you got a glimpse of how Tokyo used to look like and I would recommend visiting these places nowadays, but keeping in mind how their image has changed during the past years.
I enjoy thinking about how places evolved during the time and walking through familiar spots while searching for buildings that were there before and also looking back at the old retro streets in postcards or old pictures, so I recommend trying it out, as well.