After the Meiji Restoration, which indicates the end of the long feudal period, new cultures from foreign countries began to flow into Japanese. Foreign cultures and goods were prefered; on the other hand, culture of the Floating World were felt to be retrogressive. It did not take long time for various Japanese arts, including Ukiyo-e to be sold at remarkably low prices.

Even though new printing methods (photograph) were introduced, and spread out rapidly, the new methods did not completely oust the ukiyoe culture. Several ukiyoe artists adapted to the new times and survise during the period of Meiji Restoration. Among the ukiyoe artists were Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915), Toyohara Kunichika, Yoshu Chikanobu and Taiso Yoshitoshi. Kobayashi Kiyochika depicted brightly colored landscapes with the use of Western shadows. Toyohara Kunichiga and Yoshu Chikanobu, both of who were Utagawa artists, maintained the traditional method and depicted pictures of the floating world during the new era.

Today, wood-block prints are called "Hanga" and many hanga artists produce their unique works.