1. A Brief History of the Taisho Era
The Taisho period (1912–1926) was short but dynamic.
Tokyo rapidly modernized with trains, streetcars, and Western-style buildings.
It was also the time of Taisho Democracy, when ideas of freedom, women’s rights, and social reform spread.
The Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 destroyed much of the city, but rebuilding shaped the Tokyo we see today.
2. Everyday Culture in Taisho Tokyo
This was the age of “Modern Girls and Boys.”
Young people enjoyed Western fashion, jazz, and cafés.
Literature flourished with writers like Akutagawa Ryunosuke.
Asakusa became the playground of the masses with theaters, movies, and amusement parks.
Ginza was the elegant face of modern Tokyo, full of cafés and department stores.
3. Places to Experience Taisho Atmosphere Today
Ginza – Café Culture
Ginza was the heart of modern style.
You can still enjoy the café tradition at historic spots like Café Paulista, founded in 1911.
Walk the main street and imagine the sound of streetcars and jazz.
Asakusa – The Entertainment Hub
Asakusa kept its lively atmosphere.
Visit Asakusa Engei Hall for comedy and traditional performance, or stroll Nakamise Street where old Tokyo spirit remains.
It’s easy to picture the Taisho crowds here.
Ueno – Art and Learning
Ueno Park was a cultural center even in Taisho days.
Today, you can explore the Tokyo National Museum or the National Museum of Western Art, both with roots in that era.
It shows how Tokyo opened itself to the world.
Marunouchi – The Business District
Near Tokyo Station, the red brick station building (opened 1914) is a symbol of Taisho architecture.
The surrounding Marunouchi area, once called “Little London,” still carries the feel of early modern Tokyo.
4. Why It Matters
The Taisho era blended East and West, tradition and modernity.
It was short, but it gave Tokyo a cosmopolitan spirit.
By visiting these places, you don’t just see history—you feel the atmosphere of a city finding its modern identity.
Taisho Tokyo Model Courses
1. Classic Taisho Architecture & Culture Course
- Morning: Tokyo Station & Marunouchi
Start your day at Tokyo Station. The red brick Marunouchi building, opened in 1914, is a true Taisho symbol.
Walk around Marunouchi, once called “Little London,” and enjoy the Western-style architecture. - Lunch: Ginza Café
Head to Ginza and stop at Café Paulista (est. 1911). Taste the atmosphere of Taisho café culture with coffee and cake. - Afternoon: Ueno Museums
Take the train to Ueno. Visit the Tokyo National Museum or National Museum of Western Art to see how Japan embraced global culture during Taisho times. - Evening: Ueno Park Walk
End the day with a stroll through Ueno Park, just as students and writers did 100 years ago.
2. Entertainment & Everyday Life Course
- Morning: Asakusa
Begin at Asakusa Engei Hall, a comedy and performance theater that carries the spirit of Taisho entertainment.
Walk through Nakamise Street, where the atmosphere of old Tokyo is alive. - Lunch: Asakusa Local Food
Try tempura or soba at one of the traditional restaurants. These dishes were already popular in the Taisho era. - Afternoon: Sumida River Cruise
Take a boat ride on the Sumida River. Imagine the view of Taisho Tokyo with bridges, warehouses, and streetcars nearby. - Evening: Asakusa Movie Memories
Visit a small cinema or enjoy a retro-style bar. Asakusa was once the movie capital of Tokyo.
3. East Meets West Course
- Morning: Ginza Modern Walk
Stroll Ginza’s main avenue. Many department stores here trace their roots to Taisho days.
Stop by a bakery or Western sweet shop to taste the “modern flavor” of the era. - Lunch: Western-Style Lunch in Ginza
Try yoshoku (Japanese-style Western food) such as omurice or beef stew, popular in Taisho cafés. - Afternoon: Imperial Palace & Surroundings
Walk around the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace. In Taisho days, this was the center of political life during the democratic movement. - Evening: Jazz & Retro Bars
Finish the day with a jazz performance or retro-themed bar in Ginza or Shinjuku, echoing the sounds of Taisho modernism.
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