‘Tokyo Before/After’ Brings Eight Decades of a Changing Metropolis Through Photography

New Delhi: Tokyo’s transformation from a pre-war metropolis into one of the world’s most dynamic contemporary cities will unfold through approximately 80 photographs at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi this September.

Rather than presenting the Japanese capital through a single period or perspective, “Tokyo Before/After” brings together the works of 11 photographers and places images from the 1930s and 1940s alongside photographs taken after 2010.

This unusual juxtaposition allows audiences to explore what Tokyo has lost, retained and reinvented over nearly eight decades. Streets, buildings, neighbourhoods and people collectively tell the story of a city repeatedly reshaped by war, reconstruction, rapid economic growth, technological advancement and changing lifestyles.

The exhibition’s appeal extends beyond photography enthusiasts. Students of architecture and urban planning can examine how the physical fabric of Tokyo evolved, while those interested in history, sociology, fashion and popular culture can observe changes in public spaces, personal expression and everyday life.

The contrast between the two periods also raises broader questions relevant to rapidly expanding cities such as New Delhi: How does a metropolis modernise without completely losing its memory? What survives when buildings, neighbourhoods and social habits change? And how do photographers capture not only the visible city but also its mood and identity?

Seen together, the photographs reveal that Tokyo cannot be understood merely through its famous skyline, crowded crossings or technological sophistication. It is also a collection of intimate moments, overlooked streets, human faces and architectural traces that connect its past with its present.

Organised by The Japan Foundation in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, the travelling exhibition will open on September 2 and remain on view until September 19.

For Indian audiences, “Tokyo Before/After” offers a visually engaging introduction to Japan’s urban and social history. At the same time, it invites viewers to reflect on the transformation of their own cities and the role photography plays in preserving memories that might otherwise disappear.

Exhibition Information