Tokyo is a favorite travel spot, but few realize that 2018 was the 150th anniversary of Japan’s Meiji Restoration—a nationwide spotlight event. This edition of Travel Café offers adventure seekers tired of rushed itineraries a fresh theme-based travel option. Learn about the Sword Abolishment Edict, which ended samurai sword-carrying privileges, at Ueno Museum and Tsutaya Bookstore Ginza. Read on to discover more.
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The year 2018, the zodiac year of Wu Xu. It marked 150 years since Japan’s Meiji Restoration reforms and 120 years since the Hundred Days’ Reform in the Qing Empire. Both were sweeping reform initiatives from central governments—one bold and transformative, the other lasting just 103 days before ending in failure—forever altering the fates of two East Asian nations.
Over 150 years ago, this once-isolated East Asian island nation, long closed off from the world, saw its transformation begin with the arrival of black ships from across the Pacific. Soon after, massive reform waves reshaped Japan’s identity, gradually creating the beloved Japan we know today.
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The Sword Abolishment Edict banning samurai swords.
Nearly a decade into the Meiji government’s rule, the Grand Council of State officially issued the Sword Abolishment Edict. Except for military personnel, police, and nobility in formal court attire, no one else could carry swords. The edict’s title—“Prohibition of Swords Except for Those Wearing Formal Attire or Uniforms (Military, Police, Officials)”—speaks for itself.
In fact, shortly after the Meiji government was established, on December 27, Meiji 3 (February 16, 1871), commoners were banned from carrying swords. Then on August 9, Meiji 4 (September 23, 1871), the Datsu-Katana Edict (Hair Untying & Sword Removal Edict) allowed nobles and samurai to stop wearing topknots or swords. By 1876, the Sword Abolishment Edict made the rule non-optional—everyone had to comply.
Far-Reaching Impact
In modern militaries, there’s a saying: “A gun is a soldier’s second life,”
highlighting the importance of firearms. Similarly, the samurai sword was an undeniable symbol of status for Japanese warriors. Generally, only those of samurai rank could carry swords (commoners might carry wakizashi, short blades around 30–60 cm long).
However, the Meiji government’s Sword Abolishment Edict primarily targeted the samurai class. In a society transitioning to law and order, there was no need for samurai to roam public spaces armed. Especially amid rebellions by disgruntled samurai, disarming everyone was a stabilizing move.
Still, the policy deeply angered the samurai, even fueling rebellions like the Satsuma Rebellion.
Explore: Ueno Museum & Tsutaya Bookstore
Samurai swords are now iconic symbols of traditional Japanese culture, though beyond collectors and kendo practitioners, they’re rarely seen in daily life.
Enthusiasts can visit museums (like the Tokyo National Museum’s 2nd-floor Rooms 5 & 6 in Ueno, or the Sword Museum in Shibuya, Tokyo) or castle exhibits to see traditional Japanese swords. Places like Nikko Edomura or Kyoto’s Toei Kyoto Studio Park may also feature related performances.
Additionally, GINZA SIX, a new shopping landmark in Ginza opened in late April 2017, houses Tsutaya Bookstore Ginza on its 6th floor. Here, a dedicated samurai sword corner showcases curated books & magazines, sword displays, and themed merchandise. Who knew such a literary, coffee-scented bookstore had such a unique niche?
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??Samurai Swords —— The Dream of Every Man
During the Meiji Restoration, in order to transition into a civilized and law-based society, the government inevitably prohibited the practice of killing others, leading to the issuance of the Sword Abolishment Edict in 1876. However, this edict generally caused dissatisfaction among samurai and even contributed to heightened rebellion and the outbreak of the Seinan War. For enthusiasts interested in samurai swords, you can visit the main building of the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno and the Sword Museum in Shibuya, Tokyo. Additionally, the GINZA SIX shopping complex, which opened in 2017, features a dedicated samurai sword section on its 6th floor, showcasing related books and magazines as well as displays of samurai swords.
?? Time Travel —— Reliving the Meiji Era Parade
The Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages), held annually on October 22nd, is one of Kyoto’s three major festivals. The parade departs from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and proceeds toward Heian Shrine. Participants include individuals dressed as Meiji-era loyalists who supported the imperial restoration, followed by processions representing different historical periods — such as the Tokugawa shogunate’s procession to Kyoto, Oda Nobunaga’s procession to Kyoto, and finally, a group depicting the customs of Muromachi-period Kyoto during the Enryaku era (equivalent to the founding period of Heian-kyo). It’s quite an intriguing event.
?? Understanding People's Views on the Otherworld through Ukiyo-e
The Open Port Archives Museum, located at the signing site of the Treaty of Kanagawa, preserves many historical documents related to Yokohama’s development history from the end of the Edo period to the early Showa era. In ukiyo-e artworks created by the Japanese public at the time, foreigners such as those from Perry’s expedition were often depicted as birds or beasts — much like modern speculations about extraterrestrial beings and third-kind encounters.
?? Timeless Renowned Shops and Cuisine Since the Meiji Period
Japan’s first taiyaki shop — Maruichi Naniwaya in Azabu Juban; the long-established Kogiku Honpo, famous for its summer citrus processed into Natsumikan maruzuke, which opened during the late Edo period; and Kasagiya, which survived the Battle of Toba-Fushimi during the late Edo period and is the predecessor of the now-renowned sake brand, Gekkeikan.
?? The Fusion of Historical Figures and Modern Architecture — Sakamoto Ryoma
Sakamoto Ryoma was a groundbreaking figure who played a pivotal role in driving the revolutionary restoration movement during the final years of the shogunate, earning numerous supporters both in Japan and abroad. Fans of Ryoma may want to plan a trip to the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum on the scenic coast of Katsurahama in Kochi, Shikoku. Inside the museum, which has a futuristic spaceship-like design, visitors can explore Ryoma’s life and see the iconic Ryoma statue standing by the sea.
?? A Fully Restored Representation of Japan’s Northernmost Abashiri Prison
In 1890 (Meiji 23), the penal system in Hokkaido during the Meiji period abolished unreasonable practices of forced labor.
Located in Abashiri City, the northernmost part of Japan, the Abashiri Prison Museum is quite famous. It relocated original wooden prison cells and related facilities from within the prison grounds to the museum area, turning them into publicly accessible tourist attractions.
?? A Different Kind of Trip in Japan — Visiting the Nation’s Premier Institution, the Bank of Japan
Established in 1882, the Bank of Japan unified the authority to issue banknotes and officially adopted the gold standard for currency issuance, thereby stabilizing financial order and international exchange rates. Although the Bank of Japan is a sensitive national institution, it offers visitor programs. One requires advance reservation and lasts about one hour per tour, focusing on educating visitors about the Bank of Japan. A simpler, no-reservation-required tour option is also available.
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? Author: Milkie Jie (牛奶杰)
A millennial who doesn’t dare call himself a hipster, knows little about many things, but has his own small set of principles and preferences. He’s a traveler who hates waste and supports making the most out of everything.
Having paid the full cost of travel, he’s also deeply interested in public transportation and facilities encountered during trips, such as trains, planes, stations, and airports. While others might complain inwardly about long transit times, he begins enjoying the journey the moment he steps out of his house (or calls it a return on travel expenses), and continues that enjoyment until he returns home.
Starting in 2008, he wrote two blogs online — “Jiesu’s Railway Whispers” and “Jieshui’s Light Murmurs” — sharing the fun of railways and flights during his travels, and often loves to recount old stories. He hopes that for more travelers, modes of transport will be more than just conveyances but also an essential part of the travel experience, even inspiring them to plan their own favorite railway journeys. He is the author of books such as 《Railway Hopping Across Hokkaido》, 《Hopping Through Shikoku》, 《Starting Independent Travel in Japan》, and 《Traveling Japan Easily with a Railway Expert》.
This article is excerpted from《A Stroll Through the 150 Years of the Meiji Restoration I》,courtesy of Outstanding Culture Publishing.