This article is based on publicly available information about each service. Features and specifications may change — please check each service's official website for the latest details.
- megalodon.jp can experience slowdowns and errors due to server load and aging infrastructure
- Three main alternatives: Kiroku, archive.today, and Wayback Machine
- For instant saving with screenshots + HTML + AI summary, Kiroku is the easiest option
- Using multiple archiving services reduces risk when any single one goes down
Web Gyotaku (megalodon.jp) is a pioneering Japanese web archiving service that has been running since 2006, but it can experience slowdowns and outages due to server load and aging infrastructure. This article compares three alternatives — Kiroku, archive.today, and Wayback Machine — and walks through how to switch.
You try to save a page on Web Gyotaku (megalodon.jp), but the screen stays blank. You hit save, and after a long wait, it times out. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — many Japanese web users have experienced these issues, especially during traffic spikes when viral content or breaking news drives everyone to archive at once.
This article covers why megalodon.jp can be slow or unresponsive, and compares three alternative archiving services you can use instead. If you need to save a page right now and Web Gyotaku isn't cooperating, this guide will help you pick the right tool.
Why Web Gyotaku (megalodon.jp) Is Sometimes Slow or Unavailable
megalodon.jp launched in 2006 as one of Japan's first web archiving services. It has served millions of users over nearly two decades, but its infrastructure has aged. When traffic spikes — for example, during a social media controversy or when a news article is about to be taken down — the server can become overloaded.
Modern websites that rely heavily on JavaScript can also cause issues. Pages may not render correctly, layouts may break, or the save process may time out entirely. On mobile devices, the interface can be difficult to navigate.
- Pages take tens of seconds or minutes to load
- Save requests time out without completing
- Previously saved archives are slow to display
- JavaScript-heavy sites render with broken layouts
- Mobile experience is limited
This article is not a criticism of megalodon.jp. It has been running since 2006 and played a key role in establishing web archiving culture in Japan. This guide simply offers alternatives for times when megalodon.jp is temporarily unavailable.
What Web Archiving Users Actually Need
People use web archiving services for different reasons, but the core need is the same: preserving the current state of a web page before it changes or disappears. Whether it's for evidence, reference, or personal records, a good archiving tool should make this fast and reliable.
- Save a page before it is deleted or modified
- View and share the saved version later
- Have a clear timestamp proving when it was saved
- Preserve not just an image, but the text and HTML structure
- Be quick and easy to use without setup
Alternative Services Comparison
Here are the three main alternatives to Web Gyotaku. Each has different strengths, so the best choice depends on your use case.
| Feature | Kiroku | archive.today | Wayback Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Japan (indie developer) | Unknown (anonymous) | USA (Internet Archive) |
| Save format | Screenshot + HTML + AI summary | Snapshot image | Crawl-based HTML |
| Save speed | 30 sec – 1 min | A few seconds | 30 sec – several min |
| Japanese UI | ○ | × (English only) | × (English only) |
| No login required | ○ | ○ | ○ (Save Page Now) |
| Mobile-friendly | ○ (mobile-first) | △ | △ |
| X/Twitter posts | ○ (with metadata) | △ (as regular page) | △ |
| Private saving | ○ | × (all public) | × (all public) |
| AI summary | ○ | × | × |
| Integrity hash | ○ (SHA-256) | × | × |
Kiroku — Instant Saving with AI Summary
Kiroku is a Japanese web archiving service that saves a full-page screenshot, self-contained HTML, and an AI-generated summary — all from a single URL input. The interface is available in Japanese and English, with a mobile-first design.
The saved HTML file embeds all CSS and images inline, so the page renders correctly even after the original is taken down. For evidence preservation, Kiroku automatically records the save timestamp and SHA-256 hash, making it easy to demonstrate that the content hasn't been tampered with.
- Just paste a URL to start — no login required
- Full-page screenshot (1280×2400px) saved as PNG
- Self-contained HTML with inlined CSS and images
- AI summary generated automatically (Claude Haiku)
- SHA-256 hash for content integrity verification
- Dark mode support, mobile-optimized UI
- Option to set archives as private after saving
archive.today — Fast and Lightweight Snapshots
archive.today (also known as archive.ph) is a lightweight service that captures page snapshots quickly. Its speed is its main advantage — pages are saved in seconds with minimal overhead.
However, the interface is English-only, and all saved archives are public with no private option. There is no screenshot feature or AI summary. For users who need Japanese-language UI or private archiving, it may not be the best fit.
- Very fast save times
- URL-based search for past archives
- All saves are public (no private option)
- English-only interface
- No screenshot or AI summary features
Wayback Machine — Best for Historical Research
The Wayback Machine, operated by the Internet Archive, is the world's largest web archive. It automatically crawls and stores billions of pages, letting you browse past versions of a site on a timeline — even for pages you never saved yourself.
You can also use "Save Page Now" to archive a specific page on demand, though JavaScript-heavy sites may not render correctly. For a deeper comparison with Kiroku, see our dedicated guide.
- Browse past versions of any page on a timeline
- Find pages you never saved thanks to automatic crawling
- "Save Page Now" for on-demand archiving
- JS-heavy sites may not render accurately
For a thorough comparison of Wayback Machine and Kiroku covering save timing, page fidelity, and evidence preservation, see our dedicated guide: "Wayback Machine vs Kiroku".
How to Switch from Web Gyotaku to Kiroku
Use the same URL you would have saved on megalodon.jp. Copy it from your browser's address bar.
Navigate to kiroku.today in your browser. No login or account creation is needed to start saving.
Paste the URL into the input field and click Save. Kiroku will automatically generate a screenshot, self-contained HTML, and AI summary. This usually takes 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Once complete, you'll see the screenshot, AI summary, save timestamp, and SHA-256 hash. You can toggle the archive to private if you don't want it publicly visible.
Summary
Web Gyotaku (megalodon.jp) is a pioneering Japanese web archiving service that has been running since 2006, but it can experience slowdowns and outages due to server load and aging infrastructure. This article compares three alternatives — Kiroku, archive.today, and Wayback Machine — and walks through how to switch.
FAQ
Can I migrate my existing megalodon.jp archives to Kiroku?
There is no direct migration feature. Your existing archives will remain accessible on megalodon.jp. You can start using Kiroku for new pages going forward.
Is Kiroku free to use?
Yes, the core archiving flow is free and requires no login. Guest users can save up to 100 pages in a rolling 24-hour window, while account-based features such as private archives and archive management are part of Pro.
Can I use megalodon.jp and Kiroku at the same time?
Absolutely. You can use megalodon.jp when it's working and fall back to Kiroku when it's not. For important pages, saving on both services provides extra redundancy.
Why choose Kiroku over archive.today or Wayback Machine?
Kiroku offers a Japanese UI, combined screenshot + HTML + AI summary saving, private archive options, and SHA-256 hash verification. For evidence preservation of Japanese websites, these features provide an advantage in usability and reliability. That said, using multiple services together is always a good practice.
When will megalodon.jp be fixed?
Kiroku is an independent service with no connection to megalodon.jp's operations. For the latest status of megalodon.jp, please check their official website directly.
Sources
- Web Gyotaku (megalodon.jp) Official Sitehttps://megalodon.jp/
- Internet Archive: Wayback Machinehttps://web.archive.org/
- archive.todayhttps://archive.today/
Be prepared when Web Gyotaku is down
Pages tend to disappear when you need them most. When megalodon.jp is slow or unavailable, Kiroku can save the screenshot, HTML, and AI summary together in one step.