Classic Photos Remembering Japan in the '70s and '80s
Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations today thanks to its cultural impact, its breathtaking landmarks, and its rich history, full of dark periods and incredible resilience. Everyone wants to experience a bit of the land of the rising sun with its neon signs and busy streets, but also its ancient temples and unique festivals. However, that wasn't very common a few decades ago, before the internet could show us distant places in real time.
Japan in the seventies and eighties was already shaping up to be what it is today, but technology wasn't yet advancing as fast. So, some of the landscapes from the time look very similar to today's Japan, but a bit messier. Hundreds of people were crossing Shibuya every day, too, but anime wasn't part of the view just yet.
So, here are some classic photos remembering Japan in the ‘70s and ’80s, so you feel like you've been there.
1980s Tokyo
The city landscape was already looking futuristic with lots of neon signs.
Ikebukuro Train Station in 1976
Farewell!
Wrestlers Partying
Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant having a good time in 1980.
Hot Dog Vendor
With not much to do in Shinjuku in the 1980s.
'70s Fashion
Japan was always doing its own thing, and it always had great fashion.
David Bowie in 1980
Calling someone on a payphone or just posing for a cool picture, who knows?
1986 Arcade
Ashtrays were part of the arcade machines.
1980s Payphones
Japanese payphones always looked unique.
Tokyo Streets in 1980
Looking pretty similar to today's.
Going to the movies
A Sapporo cinema in 1979.
Tourist Visiting
Japan wasn't a widely popular destination in the ‘70s and ’80s, but a lot of people wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
Shibuya Crossing
As busy as ever in 1978.
Dancing in the Street
Teenagers enjoying their freedom in 1978.
Street Lights
The night was lively in 1977.
1970's Concert
Some things, like hairstyles and smoking, were pretty universal all over the world.
Rabbit Walk
A girl dressed in a kimono walking her pet rabbit in 1973.
Ginza McDonald's in 1971
This was the first McDonald's that opened in Japan.
Kiss in Kyoto
Absorbing Japanese culture in 1977.
Bullet Train
Japan was already ahead of the game in 1970.
Sunny Day
As good a time as any to relax in the seventies.