If Tokyo Is Not Japan's Official Capital, What Is?

This guide provides a clear overview of if tokyo is not japan's official capital, what is, including how it works, key details, and practical considerations that can help you use the information effectively.

The capital of Japan is not Tokyo. So where is the capital of Japan? Read on to learn together!

First, Japan has 47 prefectures. The Japanese word for prefecture is ken. For example, the English translation of Aichi-ken is Aichi Prefecture. Osaka Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture are quite high up among the prefectures and they are called Osaka-fu and Kyoto-fu, which means 'fu' is used instead of 'ken' while the English translation of 'fu' is also Prefecture since there is no specific word for it in English. Tokyo, being the largest prefecture, governs the other prefectures and although it is a prefecture, it is called Tokyo-to, which can be translated as Tokyo Metropolis. Tokyo is not actually a city but it is a prefecture.

In a sense, a prefecture is similar to a state in the United States, and the head of the prefecture is called the governor. Tokyo "prefecture" consists of 23 wards, some areas classified as cities within Tokyo, located in the west (such as Musashino City), and some remote islands in the Pacific Ocean.

If you ask where the capital of Japan is, even if the answer you get is Tokyo, you may still wonder where exactly the capital area is located in Tokyo. In fact, Tokyo is not the capital of Japan.

What Is the Capital of Japan?

According to a long-standing tradition, the capital of Japan is the residence of the Emperor. And throughout history, the capital of Japan has been located in many various locations and places.

After 1868, the Emperor's residence and the headquarters of the Japanese Government were both moved to Tokyo. Therefore, people have always considered Tokyo as the capital of Japan.

In 1950, Japan decided to choose Tokyo as the capital of the country. But on September 6, 1986, the Japanese government decided to abolish Tokyo as the capital of the country. Therefore, Tokyo is not the capital of Japan. Up to now, in the Japanese constitution, there is no official regulation or decision about the capital. Therefore, Japan does not have an official capital.

The Capital of Japan Through the Ages

Capital of Japan During the Kofun Period

• Karushima, Yamato (Akira Palace), during the reign of Emperor Ojin
• Naniwa, Settsu (Takatsu Palace), during the reign of Emperor Nintoku
• Ihare, Yamato (Watasakura Palace), during the reign of Emperor Rich?
• Tajikhi, Kawachi (Shibakaki Palace), during the reign of Emperor Hanzei
• Asuka, Yamato (Tohotsu Palace), during the reign of Emperor Ingy?
• Isonokami, Yamato (Anaho Palace), during the reign of Emperor Ank?
• Sakurai, Nara (Hatsuse no Asakura Palace), 457–479, during the reign of Emperor Y?ryaku
• Sakurai, Nara (Iware no Mikakuri Palace), 480–484, during the reign of Emperor Seinei
• Asuka, Yamato (Chikatsu-Asuka-Yatsuri Palace), 485–487, during the reign of Emperor Kenz?
• Tenri, Nara (Isonokami Hirotaka Palace), 488–498, during the reign of Emperor Ninken
• Sakurai, Nara (Nimiki Palace), 499–506, during the reign of Emperor Buretsu
• Hirakata, Osaka (Kusuba Palace), 507–511
• Ky?tanabe, Kyoto (Tsutsuki Palace), 511–518, during the reign of Emperor Keitai
• Nagaoka-ky? (Otokuni Palace), 518–526, during the reign of Keitai
• Sakurai, Nara (Iware no Tamaho Palace), 526–532, during the reign of Keitai
• Kashihara, Nara (Magari no Kanahashi Palace), 532–535, during the reign of Emperor Ankan
• Sakurai, Nara (Hinokuma no Iorino Palace), 535-539, during the reign of Emperor Senka

The Capital of Japan in the Asuka Period

• Asuka, Yamato (Shikishima no Kanasashi Palace), 540–571, ??during the reign of Emperor Kimmei
• K?ry?, Nara (Kudara no Ohi Palace), 572–575
• Sakurai, Nara (Osata no Sakitama or Osada no Miya Palace), 572–585, during the reign of Emperor Bidatsu
• Shiki District, Nara (Iwareikebe no Namitsuki Palace), 585–587, during the reign of Emperor Yomei
• Shiki District, Nara (Kurahashi no Shibagaki Palace), 587–592, during the reign of Emperor Sushun
• Asuka, Yamato (Toyura Palace or Toyura-no-miya), 593–603, during the reign of Emperor Suiko
• Asuka, Yamato (Oharida Palace or Oharida-no-miya), 603–629, during Suiko's reign
• Asuka, Yamato (Okamoto Palace or Oakmoto-no-miya), 630–636, during the reign of Emperor Jomei
• Kashihara, Nara (Tanaka Palace or Tanaka-no-miya), 636–639
• K?ry?, Nara (Umayasaka Palace or Umayasaka-no-miya, 640
• K?ry?, Nara (Kudara Palace or Kudara-no-miya), 640–642
• Asuka, Yamato (Oharida Palace), 642–643
• Asuka, Yamato (Itabuki Palace or Itabuki no miya), 643–645, during the reign of Emperor K?gyoku
• Osaka (Naniwa Palace-Nagara no Toyosaki), 645–654, during the reign of Emperor K?toku
• Asuka, Yamato (Itabuki Palace), 655–655, during the reign of K?toku
• Asuka, Yamato (Kawahara Palace or Kawahara-no-miya), 655–655
• Asuka, Yamato (Okamoto Palace or Nochi no Asuka-Okamoto-no-miya), 656–660, during the reign of Emperor Saimei
• Asakura, Fukuoka (Asakura no Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace or Asakure no Tachibana no Hironiwa-no-miya), 660–66
• Osaka, (Naniwa Palace-Nagara no Toyosaki), 661–667
• ?tsu, Shiga (?mi ?tsu Palace or ?mi ?tsu-no-miya), 667–672, during the reign of Emperor Tenji and during the reign of Emperor Kobun
• Asuka, Yamato (Kiyomihara Palace or Kiomihara-no-miya), 672–694[37], during the reign of Emperor Temmu and during the reign of Emperor Jito
• Fujiwara-ky? (Fujiwara Palace), 694–710, during the reign of Emperor Mommu

Capital of Japan During the Nara Period

• Heian-ky? (Heian Palace), 794–1180, during the reigns of Kammu and others
• Fukuhara Palace, 1180, during the reign of Emperor Antoku
• Heian-ky?/Ky?to (Heian Palace), 1180–1868
• Tokyo (K?kyo), 1868–1956

So we have the answer to the question "What is the capital of Japan?". Japan is an extremely interesting country, you can explore this Land of the Rising Sun through the articles below.