Uchikura & Co., LLC

The Emperor’s 150-Year Visit to Tokyo

 

Tokyo is universally regarded as the capital of Japan—but was the capital ever officially moved from Kyoto?

 

In 1868, Emperor Meiji traveled from Kyoto to Tokyo. Officially, this was described not as a relocation of the capital but as an imperial visit, called Tokyo Gyōkō (東京行幸) or Tōkō (東幸).

 

Gyōkō means that the Emperor travels from his usual residence to another place. It does not mean that his permanent home or the nation’s capital has moved. Furthermore, no clear imperial decree or law formally transferred the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo.

 

Therefore, if we read the historical terminology literally, Kyoto never stopped being the capital. The Emperor went to Tokyo—and has simply not returned permanently. In other words, Japan’s emperors have effectively been “visiting” Tokyo for more than 150 years.

 

There is also a well-known story that when the Emperor arrives at Kyoto Station, the stationmaster welcomes him by saying, “Okaerinasaimase”—“Welcome home.” Whether this is an official tradition or merely a beloved story, the words reflect Kyoto’s enduring belief that the Emperor is returning home.

 

Tokyo is Japan’s practical capital. But historically and symbolically, has the Emperor ever truly left Kyoto?