Kōzaburō Tamamura was a photographer during of the Meiji Era in Japan (1868-1912). His photos of the scenes and people of Japan at that time was taken at the request of a publisher of the United States for tourist promotion and now have become a precious time capsule that was recently released to the public in the United Kingdom.

This photographer was able to capture the unique beauty of the beauty of the landscape and the lives of people in Japan that can be seen in the following photos.

Japan’s Landscape.

The Imperial Palace.

Mt. Fuji

A Japanese Garden.

Toshogu Shrine.


The scenes are timeless and have not really changed up to the present day. These scenes retain a timeless beauty which can be enjoyed by visitors today in the same way as they could over 100 years ago.

Japanese Women of the Meiji Era.

Japanese women’s fashion was based on the kimono at this time and they all seem to have an elegant and refined beauty.

Tourist Destinations in the 1880’s.

Nagoya Castle.

Kobe Yamate.

Enoshima.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura.

Hakone.

The Kamo River in Kyoto.

Arashiyama.

Osaka Dotonbori.

Ginza and Shimbashi.

Although tourist destinations have dramatically changed, they are still bustling areas in today’s modern Japan.

State of the Japanese People in Daily Life.

Housecleaning at the end of the year in Kobe 1906.

Eating Buckwheat Noodles on New Year’s Eve.

Making Rice Cakes for the New Year’s Holiday.

The Shopping district of Kobe.

Decoration of public thoroughfares.

Quiet city streets during the New Year’s Holiday.

The various activities of the Japanese New Year’s celebrations can be clearly seen and enjoyed in these photographs.

A woman cleaning her home.

A scene for the Rainy Season.

Three women posing for a photograph.

These young Japanese women playfully gesture “Speak no evil, hear no evil and see no evil for the photographer.

Children at play.

Harvesting Japanese Green Tea.

A Boat tours.

Three young women.

Relaxing and reading in the bedroom.

While reading a book you have to relax.

A Rickshaw Taxi.
What did you think?

These images really do capture the essence of Japanese from a long time ago and is truly magical to see the timeless beauty of the scenes and people of the Meiji Era more than 100 years ago.