Walking amidst traditional Japanese architecture and stone-paved paths, Kyoto is perfect for a leisurely stroll, exuding an old-world charm. Beyond the breathtaking cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons that captivate the heart, there are also popular attractions such as Daigo-ji Temple, Eikan-do Temple, and Tofuku-ji Temple. Today, we’re introducing the Shishinden Hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The story begins with Japan’s Meiji Restoration. Historically, the Meiji Restoration is considered to have officially started when Emperor Meiji promulgated the Charter Oath. The Shishinden Hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace is where Emperor Meiji summoned his ministers, making it a must-visit Kyoto attraction. Let’s dive in together below!
Emperor Meiji Issues the Charter Oath
Although the Meiji Restoration is a highly renowned historical and political term, no one ever explicitly declared, “I am now launching a new policy called the Meiji Restoration.” Similarly, historians have never clearly defined when the Meiji Restoration actually ended.
Generally speaking, Emperor Meiji’s issuance of the Charter Oath on April 6, 1868, is regarded as the official start of the Meiji Restoration. At just 16 years old, the Emperor expressed this vision before his assembled officials, setting Japan on the path to modernization.
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Far-Reaching Impact
Overall, the full text of the Charter Oath, as its name suggests, consists of only five concise directives, all of which are fairly broad guiding principles. For example, the first point states: “Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided by public discussion.” This means encouraging thorough discussions on important issues and taking all evaluations into careful consideration.
The driving forces behind a series of sweeping reforms that followed stemmed from the fourth point: “Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature,” and the fifth point: “Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule.” The various efforts to learn from the West, adopt foreign practices, and integrate them into Japanese methods—thereby spurring industrial and social revolutions and propelling Japan into the ranks of modern civilizations—were all encapsulated within those few words from His Majesty.
In fact, the Charter Oath was not read aloud by Emperor Meiji himself but was instead proclaimed by Sanjō Sanetomi. The content was revised by Kido Takayoshi, Iwakura Tomomi, and Sanjō Sanetomi, with earlier drafts prepared by Yuri Kimimasa and Fukuoka Takachika. In terms of its core principles, ideas proposed by Sakamoto Ryōma and Gotō Shōjirō in the Eight-Point Plan also find echoes in the Charter Oath.
In any case, with just over a hundred words of new directive, the Emperor set in motion the century-long undertaking of the Meiji Restoration.
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Exploring the Route
The location where Emperor Meiji summoned his ministers to announce the Charter Oath was the Shishinden Hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace—the main hall of the Imperial residence—where enthronement ceremonies, the Daijō-sai (Great Thanksgiving Festival), and other major events were held. In addition to the Shishinden Hall, other significant buildings within the palace include the Seiryōden Hall and the Shōgo-shoin Hall.
After Emperor Meiji moved to Tokyo, the former Imperial residence was renamed the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Starting from July 26, 2016, visitors
no longer need to apply in advance to tour the palace and can visit directly during opening hours (from 9:00 AM, with monthly closing times adjusted seasonally. The palace is generally closed on Mondays, with occasional additional closures announced for specific dates).
Visitors should enter and exit through the Seishomon Gate on the west side of the palace (security check required). The Shishinden Hall, Seiryōden Hall, Shōgo-shoin Hall, Shōgo-den Hall, and the uniquely named Earthquake Hall (a lightweight flat-roofed building designed so that even if it collapses during an earthquake, it won’t crush the Emperor) can all be viewed from the outside along the educational route.
By the way, the current Golden Hall at Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto was once the Shishinden Hall of the Imperial Palace. It was relocated to its current site during the Kan’ei era and is the oldest known surviving Shishinden Hall, designated as a National Treasure.
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The Central Government System in Early Meiji Period ?????????????????????????
In the early Meiji period, the court, having just regained political power, was somewhat uncertain about how to organize the government to lead the nation, resulting in multiple changes to the central government system. After the Restoration of Imperial Rule, an initial system was established consisting of one Chancellor, ten Councilors, and twenty Participants, known as the Three Offices.
Two months after the issuance of the Charter Oath (June 11, 1868, or the 21st day of the intercalary 4th month of Keiō 4), the Political Structure Document, drafted in line with the spirit of the Charter Oath, was promulgated. This replaced the Three Offices with the Dajō-kan (Great Council of State), which had administrative, legislative, and judicial branches overseen by the Administrative Office, the Deliberative Office, and the Penal Office, respectively. The Dajō-kan was a system that existed before the rise of the samurai-dominated government, giving this move a sense of “restoration” of Imperial rule.
However, the Political Structure Document was abolished the following year, while the Dajō-kan remained but transitioned into the Meiji version of the Dajō-kan system. The Chief Minister (held by former nobleman Sanjō Sanetomi) became the head of government, with subordinate ministries including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Imperial Household, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus the Jingi-kan (Department of Worship) responsible for ceremonial duties, collectively forming the Two Departments and Six Ministries system. During this system’s implementation, the Hokkaido Development Commission was also added to oversee development in Hokkaido.
The government system underwent several more changes before the formal adoption of the Cabinet System on December 22, 1885, which finally brought stability. Under the Cabinet System, the head of government was the Prime Minister (also called the Premier or Chancellor). However, this version of the Prime Minister was slightly different from the one we are more familiar with today, established after World War II under the new constitution.
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Book Recommendations
Through History, We See More on Our Journeys
History has never been just about the past; it is deeply interconnected with everything in the present. For travelers who love visiting Japan, regardless of their preferred travel style or theme, it’s nearly impossible to escape the influence of the Meiji Restoration. Since starting solo trips to Japan in 2005, the author has traveled to all 47 prefectures, a journey that has made this connection especially vivid. Therefore, after publishing several regionally or rail-focused travel guides, the author decided to approach Japan through the lens of history—piecing together scattered scenes from the Meiji era to lead readers on a deeper journey and into the tunnel of history.
This book combines descriptions of historical events, explanations of the spatiotemporal context, and travel information, allowing travelers to revisit the stages where history unfolded and imagine the past. Rather than following a single timeline, the author weaves the narrative through six thematic threads, making it easy even for those unfamiliar with Japanese history to immerse themselves in the setting. In this book, historical context holds equal importance to travel guidance. Moreover, history serves as the connective thread between attractions, weaving together a vivid and multi-dimensional tapestry.
Over four million people from Taiwan visit Japan every year, yet only a small fraction embark on deep cultural and historical journeys—a real shame. The author hopes this book will open readers’ eyes to another facet of Meiji history, allowing them to see Japan from new perspectives and dimensions beyond sightseeing and food.?
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Author: Milk Jerry (牛奶杰)
A millennial who wouldn’t dare call himself a hipster and isn’t an expert in many things, but who has his own little principles and preferences. He’s a traveler who hates waste and believes in making the most of everything.
Having paid full price for his trips, he’s also very interested in public transportation and facilities like trains, planes, stations, and airports. While others complain about long transit times, he starts enjoying the journey (or getting value for his money) the moment he steps out the door—and keeps enjoying it until he gets back home.
Since 2008, he has run two blogs online: “Jerry’s Railway Whispers” and “Jerry’s Aviation Murmurs,” sharing the fun of trains and flights during his travels, often sprinkled with nostalgic tales. He hopes that for more travelers, modes of transport become more than just a way to get around—they become part of the travel experience itself, maybe even inspiring them to plan their own dream railway journeys. Author of titles such as 《Railway Hopping Across Hokkaido》, 《Hopping Around Shikoku》, 《Starting Your Independent Trip to Japan》, and 《Traveling Japan Easily with a Railway Expert》.
Excerpted from the book 《Meiji Restoration 150 Years Stroll》, courtesy of Outstanding Culture Publishing.
Want to take a deeper trip to Japan? Head there this autumn or winter this year.