once upon a time; a long time ago
A literary set phrase used to begin a story, similar to 'once upon a time'. Often found in classical tales and modern narrative openings.
Once upon a time, there was an old bamboo cutter.
今は昔、あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住んでいました。
A long time ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman.