For some reason I’ll never understand, our post a couple of years ago about Goo Maps’ ability to transport you back in time never got much attention. Seriously, can Google Earth do that? I didn’t think so.
I was out and about last week and came across a great photo collection of Omotesando-dori near the Meiji-dori intersection. Japanese construction sites often post historical pictures of the area for passers-by to check out, and I got mine from the area in front of the old GAP building (seen below on the right corner).
For a bit of perspective, go to Goo and check out the Omotesando and Meiji-dori intersection. You can see what it looked like in the past by clicking on the buttons for “昭和２２” (1947) and “昭和38” (1963).
Where Laforet is (left corner), there seems to have been a church or a really forward-thinking wedding chapel back in 1974.
via Humbletree
Of course, back in 1953 Omotesando-dori wasn’t nearly as dense as it is now, but seems to have been considerably wider. This is probably because, behind the photographer below, what is now Yoyogi Park was a military base. A decade after this photo was taken, the area’s development accelerated rapidly as the Olympic Stadium was built and Harajuku began its evolution as a place for young people to hang out.
Via Jpnphotos
This photo from 1952 shows the apartments on Omotesando that were taken down to become the Omotesando Hills complex. If you visit today you can still find part of an original building that was incorporated into the new structure.
Via Japan-i
A young boy poses for a photo along the street in front of the apartments in 1958. I’m particularly struck by the small trees lining the street that have now grown to define the street.
This is my favorite from the set. “Are you a Harajuker?”. Just makes me wonder whose head is on that body, and what the promotion was for. 1974 had some pretty racy posters for the ladies apparently.
