Guide · Culture
The Meiji period (1868 to 1912): how Japan ended the samurai and moved its capital
The shogunate fell, the capital moved to Tokyo and the samurai lost their stipends. What changed, and the sites to see today.
The Meiji period (1868 to 1912) ended the samurai as a class in under ten years. The shogunate fell in 1868, the domains were abolished in 1871, conscription began in 1873, stipends and sword-wearing ended in 1876, and the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 closed the story. The capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, which was Edo renamed.
It follows Edo and leads into Taisho and Showa. The history guide places every era on one timeline.
When was the Meiji period?
It ran from 1868 to 1912, and Meiji 1 is 1868. Add 1867 to a Meiji year to get the Western year: Meiji 45 is 1912. Per general histories, the era name was proclaimed on 23 October 1868 and counted from January of that year.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1853 to 1854 | Perry's arrival and the treaties end seclusion |
| 1868 | The Meiji Restoration ends the shogunate; Tokyo becomes the capital |
| 1871 | Domains abolished, prefectures created |
| 1872 | First railway, Shimbashi to Yokohama; school system; calendar change |
| 1873 | Conscription law |
| 1876 | Samurai stipends end; sword-wearing banned |
| 1877 | The Satsuma Rebellion |
| 1889 | The Meiji Constitution |
| 1894 to 1895 | Sino-Japanese war |
| 1904 to 1905 | Russo-Japanese war |
How did the shogunate end?
Perry’s arrival in 1853 to 1854 and the treaties that followed ended the seclusion described on the Edo page. In 1868 the Meiji Restoration ended the shogunate and put the emperor at the centre of government. The capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Emperor Meiji reigned for the whole era. Ito Hirobumi, the first prime minister, is the figure tied to the constitution of 1889.
How did the samurai lose their class?
In steps, between 1871 and 1877. The domains were abolished in 1871 and prefectures created in their place. The conscription law of 1873 set up a military draft. In 1876 samurai stipends ended and wearing a sword was banned.
The Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, associated with Saigo Takamori, marks the end of the samurai as a class, per standard histories. In Edo times samurai were about 7% of the population.
Did Japan really skip days in 1872?
Yes, about four weeks. Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar in Meiji 5 (1872), and the National Diet Library records that the day after 2 December 1872 was 1 January 1873. In era years, that is the jump from 2 December Meiji 5 to 1 January Meiji 6.
Motives for the timing are disputed, so this page gives none.
What changed for ordinary people?
Four things show in the general histories.
- Schooling: a compulsory school system began in 1872.
- Surnames: surnames became compulsory in 1875.
- Rank: the class system was abolished, and topknots were banned.
- Work and service: city life, factory work and the military draft entered everyday life.
How do you read Meiji on a trip?
Meiji shows in names, in maps and on paper. Tokyo is Edo renamed, so one city holds both layers. Dated plaques may use era years: Meiji 30 is 1897. Japanese era names covers the conversion.
The map changed at its edges too. In 1869 the Meiji government set up a Development Commission and the name Hokkaido for the island called Ezochi. Ryukyu was made a domain in 1872 and incorporated as Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. “Ryukyu Disposition” is the Japanese government’s term for the 1879 step, and some scholars call it annexation. Hokkaido’s Ainu history is in Ainu history and Hokkaido and Okinawa’s in Ryukyu history and Okinawa.
What can you see today?
Meiji survives in a state silk mill and in a group of industrial sites.
| Place | Where | What you see | Fee | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomioka Silk Mill | Gunma | The 1872 state silk factory, a UNESCO site since 2014 | Unclear right now; last known $6 (¥1,000) | 09:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:30; closed 29 to 31 Dec |
| Meiji industrial sites | Yawata, Nagasaki, Hagi | Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution, inscribed by UNESCO in 2015 | Not found | Not found |
Dollar figures use about ¥155 to US$1 and are rounded; you pay in yen, so check the rate.
Tomioka’s last known fees, from a Gunma Prefecture leaflet, are $6 (¥1,000) for adults, $2 (¥250) for high school and university students and $1 (¥150) for elementary and junior high students. The 2026-27 fee is unclear right now. UNESCO’s 2015 listing groups sites in several places, among them Yawata, Nagasaki and Hagi.
Before you go Tomioka is closed 29 to 31 December and for occasional maintenance, so a year-end visit does not work. Confirm the fee and maintenance days on the mill’s official site.
Where next?
- The Tokyo, Kamakura and Nikko temples and shrines page gives the Meiji Jingu fee and hours.
- Samurai castles and houses covers the castles and houses of the warrior class.
- Japanese era names explains how to convert era years.
- The Culture hub holds every culture topic, and the culture guide gives the overview.
Quick answers
When was the Meiji period?
From 1868 to 1912. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 ended the shogunate and put the emperor at the centre of government, and the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, which was Edo renamed. To turn a Meiji year into a Western year, add 1867: Meiji 45 is 1912.
When did the samurai era end?
In steps between 1871 and 1877. The domains were abolished in 1871, conscription began in 1873, samurai stipends ended and sword-wearing was banned in 1876, and the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 marks the end of the samurai as a class.
Did Japan really skip days in 1872?
Yes, about four weeks. Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, and the National Diet Library records that the day after 2 December 1872 was 1 January 1873. Motives are disputed.
What changed for ordinary people in the Meiji period?
A compulsory school system began in 1872, surnames became compulsory in 1875, the class system was abolished and topknots were banned. City life, factory work and the military draft entered everyday life.
Where can I see Meiji Japan today?
Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma, the 1872 state silk factory and a UNESCO site since 2014, and the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution, which include Yawata, Nagasaki and Hagi. Tomioka's current fee is unclear right now; the last known adult fee is $6 (¥1,000).