Capital of Japan

This article is about the Japanese national capital in general. For the current capital, see Tokyo.
The capital of Japan is Tokyo. In the course of history, the national capital has been in many locations other than Tokyo.
History
Traditionally, the home of the Emperor was considered the capital. From 794 through 1868, the Emperor lived in Kyoto. After 1868, the seat of the Government of Japan and the location of the Emperor's home was Tokyo.
In 1941, the Ministry of Education published the .
After World War II, the new Constitution of Japan transferred the state's sovereignty from the Emperor to the people. The people of Japan are represented by the Diet of Japan in Tokyo. Consensus considers the site of the Diet is the capital of Japan.
Capital area
No law makes Tokyo as the Japanese capital. However, many laws have defined a which incorporates Tokyo.
Article 2 of the of 1956 states that
"In this Act, the term 'capital area' shall denote a broad region comprising both the territory of Tokyo Metropolis as well as outlying regions designated by cabinet order."
Laws which identify this "capital area" include the and the .
List of capitals
Legendary
This list of legendary capitals of Japan begins with the reign of Emperor Jimmu. The names of the Imperial palaces are in parentheses.
Kashiwabara, Yamato at the foot of Mt. Unebi during reign of Emperor Jimmu
Kazuraki, Yamato during reign of Emperor Suizei
Katashiha, Kawachi during the reign of Emperor Annei
Karu, Yamato during reign of Emperor Itoku.
Waki-no-kami, Yamato during the reign of Emperor Kosho
Muro, Yamato during reign of Emperor Koan
Kuruda, Yamato during the reign of Emperor Korei
Karu, Yamato during reign of Emperor Kogen
Izakaha, Yamato during reign of Emperor Kaika
Shika, Yamato (Palace of Mizugaki) during reign of Emperor Sujin
Shika, Yamato (Palace of Tamagaki) during reign of Emperor Suinin
Makimuko, Yamato (Palace of Hishiro) during reign of Emperor Keiko
Shiga, Omi (Palace of Takaanaho) during reign of Emperor Seimu
Ando (Palace of Toyoura) and Kashiki on the island of Kyushu during reign of Emperor Chuai
Historical
This list of capitals includes the Imperial palaces names in parentheses.
Kofun period
Karushima, Yamato (Palace of Akira), reign of Emperor Ojin
Naniwa, Settsu (Palace of Takatsu), reign of Emperor Nintoku
Ihare, Yamato (Palace of Watasakura''''), reign of Emperor Richu
Tajikhi, Kawachi (Palace of Shibakaki), reign of Emperor Hanzei
Asuka, Yamato (Palace of Tohotsu), reign of Emperor Ingyo
Isonokami, Yamato (Palace of Anaho), reign of Emperor Anko
Sakurai, Nara (Hatsuse no Asakura Palace), 457-479 in reign of Emperor Yuryaku
Sakurai, Nara (Iware no Mikakuri Palace), 480-484 in reign of Emperor Seinei
Asuka, Yamato (Chikatsu-Asuka-Yatsuri Palace), 485-487 in reign of Emperor Kenzo
Tenri, Nara (Isonokami Hirotaka Palace), 488-498 in reign of Emperor Ninken
Hatsuse, Nara (Nimiki Palace), 499-506 in reign of Emperor Buretsu
Hirakata, Osaka (Kusuba Palace), 507-511
Kyotanabe, Kyoto (Tsutsuki Palace), 511-518
Nagaoka-kyo (Otokuni Palace), 518-526
Sakurai, Nara (Iware no Tamaho Palace), 526-532 in reign of Emperor Keitai
Kashihara, Nara (Magari no Kanahashi Palace), 532-535 in reign of Emperor Ankan
Sakurai, Nara (Hinokuma no Iorino Palace), 535-539 in reign of Emperor Senka
Asuka period
Asuka, Yamato (Shikishima no Kanasashi Palace), 540-571 in reign of Emperor Kimmei
Koryo, Nara (Kudara no Ohi Palace), 572-575
Sakurai, Nara (Osata no Sakitama Palace or Osada no Miya), 572-585 in reight of Emperor Bidatsu
Shiki District, Nara (Iwareikebe no Namitsuki Palace), 585-587 in the reign of Emperor Yomei
Shiki District, Nara (Kurahashi no Shibagaki Palace), 587-592 in the reign of Emperor Sushun
Asuka, Yamato (Toyura Palace or Toyura-no-miya), 593-603 in the reign of Empress Suiko
Asuka, Yamato (Oharida Palace or Oharida-no-miya), 603-629 in the reign of Empress Suiko
Asuka, Yamato (Okamoto Palace or Oakmoto-no-miya), 630-636 in the reign of Emperor Jomei
Kashihara, Nara (Tanaka Palace or Tanaka-no-miya), 636-639
Koryo, Nara (Umayasaka Palace or Umayasaka-no-miya), 640
Koryo, 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 in the reign of Empress Kogyoku
Osaka (Naniwa-Nagara no Toyosaki Palace), 645-654 in the reign of Emperor Kotoku
Asuka, Yamato (Itabuki Palace), 655-655 in the reign of Kotoku
Asuka, Yamato (Kawahara Palace or Kawahara-no-miya), 655-655
Asuka, Yamato (Okamoto Palace or Nochi no Asuka-Okamoto-no-miya), 656-660 in the reign of Emperor Saimei
Asakura, Fukuoka (Asakura no Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace or Asakure no Tachibana no Hironiwa-no-miya), 660-661
Osaka, (Naniwa-Nagara no Toyosaki Palace), 661-667
Otsu, Shiga (Omi Otsu Palace or Omi Otsu-no-miya), 667-672 in reign of Emperor Tenji and the reign of Emperor Kobun
Asuka, Yamato (Kiyomihara Palace or Kiomihara-no-miya), 672-694 in the reign of Emperor Temmu and in the reign of Empress Jito
Fujiwara-kyo (Fujiwara'' Palace), 694-710 in the reign of Emperor Mommu
Nara period
Heijo-kyo (Heijo Palace), 710-740 in the reigns of Empress Genmei, Empress Gensho, and Emperor Shomu
Kuni-kyo (Kuni Palace), 740-744 in the reign of Shomu
Naniwa-kyo (Naniwa Palace), 744
Naniwa-kyo, Shigaraki Palace, 744-745
Heijo-kyo (Heijo Palace), 745-784
Nagaoka-kyo (Nagaoka Palace), 784-794 in the reign of Emperor Kammu
Heian period
Heian-kyo (Heian Palace), 794-1180 in the reign of Kammu and others
Fukuhara Palace, 1180 in the reign of Emperor Antoku
Heian-kyo/Kyoto (Heian Palace), 1180-1868
To-kyo (Kokyo), 1868-present
References
More reading
Other websites
History of Japan
Japan-related lists