Massive photo acqusition and new walkabout mode!

I just returned from a wonderful two weeks in Japan during which I got a lot of photos for this project's "now-and-then" or "Temp-O-Pacity" feature. I'm happy to say the first batch are now ready to try out, whether you're using Windows, Linux or playing in the browser!

This mode also includes a hip new "walkabout" feature, where you can navigate around the Marunouchi area by clicking on "hotspots" in each postcard.

Try it now in your browser!

Temp-O-Pacity mode

Having collected over 300 photos for the postcard locations (more on than later in the post), I have started the task of aligning and overlaying the 2025 photographs on top of the 1930s postcards. This has resulted in some jaw-dropping results which you can see for yourself with the new "Temp-O-Pacity" slider, allowing you to seamlessly slide back and forth across 90 years of history. For example, see how the architects of the Tokyo Expressway effortlessly blended it into the historical setting of the ancient Nihonbashi bridge:

It's almost like nothing's changed since 1935!

Walkabout mode

A big part of this project is adding context to the postcards, which can otherwise feel quite disconnected. For example, it's not immediately obvious that there is a whole string of postcards along Ginza-dori which give you a sense of walking up the street. Having now visited all these in person, I wanted to bring some of that sense of geography to the app.

After clicking the "Walk" button, most locations now feature clickable green hotspots which will take you to a postcard in that direction:

As a neat little extra, your path is then drawn in red on the map before the postcard loads:

Go ahead and try it out now!

2025 photography report

I spent many gruelling hours travelling all over Tokyo by train and by foot. I managed to take over 300 images for the majority of the locations featured in the postcards, all the way from Asakusa Rokku to the Graves of the 47 Ronin, and also collected some gnarly blisters along the way. All very much worth it.

Although I've spent a lot of time in Tokyo, many of these places were new to me. It was kind of thrilling to find the right spot at each location to take the photos and realise that our nameless photographer was standing in exactly the same spot some 90 years ago.

I took in some timeless views, like the twin bridge "Nijubashi":

To some slightly disappointing outcomes, like this beautiful view of Ginza-dori from the rooftop bar at Ginza Six:

Over the next few weeks, I will be sorting and aligning my images and adding the rest of the postcards. I'm currently also thinking about a light visual novel/trivia mode that will take you on a "Carmen Sandiego"-style adventure around Tokyo.