Capital of Japan

The current capital of Japan is Tokyo. Article 2 of the Capital Area Consolidation Law of 1956 states: "In this Act, the term 'capital area' shall denote a broad region comprising both the territory of the Tokyo Metropolis as well as outlying regions designated by cabinet order."

It has served as the Japanese capital since 1869, its urban area housing the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government.

From 794 through 1868, the Emperor lived in Heian-kyō, modern-day Kyoto.

In fact, even after the seat of Imperial power was moved to Tokyo in 1868, since there is no law which makes Tokyo the capital, there is a view that Kyoto legally or officially remains the capital even today.

Asuka was the Imperial capital of Japan during the Asuka period (538 – 710 AD), which takes its name from this place.

Sakurai was briefly the capital of Japan during the reign of Emperor Yūryaku.

Tenri was briefly the capital of Japan during the reign of Emperor Ninken.

Fujiwara-kyō was the Imperial capital of Japan for sixteen years, between 694 and 710.

Heijō-kyō, was the Capital of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710–40 and again from 745–84.

Kyōtanabe was briefly the capital of Japan during the reign of Emperor Keitai.

Nagaoka-kyō was the capital of Japan from 784 to 794.

Traditionally, the home of the Emperor is considered the capital.

From 794 through 1868, the Emperor lived in Heian-kyō, modern-day Kyoto.

After 1868, the seat of the Government of Japan and the location of the Emperor's home was moved to Tokyo. In 2017, the Government of Japan decided to move the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto.

Article 2 of the Capital Area Consolidation Law of 1956 states: "In this Act, the term 'capital area' shall denote a broad region comprising both the territory of the Tokyo Metropolis as well as outlying regions designated by cabinet order."

Indeed, shuto came into use during the 1860s as a gloss of the English term "capital".

The Ministry of Education published a book called "History of the Restoration" in 1941.

A contemporary history textbook states that the Meiji government "moved the capital (shuto) from Kyoto to Tokyo" without using the sento term.

Officially, the relocation is referred to as "capital functions relocation" instead of "capital relocation", or as "relocation of the Diet and other organizations".

In 2017, the Government of Japan decided to move the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto.

This list of legendary capitals of Japan begins with the reign of Emperor Jimmu.