Japan - History Overview and Timeline

Jomon Period (- 300 BC)

• The early Japanese were gatherers, hunters and fishers.
• Read more about the Jomon Period

Yayoi Period (300 BC - 250 AD)

• The introduction of rice agriculture begins the development of a social hierarchy and hundreds of small countries that started to unify into larger countries.
• Read more about the Yayoi Period

Kofun Period (250 - 538)

• Japan is for the first time more or less united. Large tombs (kofun) were built for the deceased leaders.
• Read more about the Kofun Period

Asuka Period (538 - 710)

• 538/552 Introduction of Buddhism.
• 604 Prince Shotoku's Constitution of seventeen articles is promulgated.
• 645 The Taika reform is introduced. The Fujiwara era starts.
• Read more about the Asuka Period

Nara Period (710 - 784)

• 710 Nara becomes the first permanent capital.
• 784 The capital moves to Nagaoka.
• Read more about the Nara Period

Heian Period (794 - 1185)

• 794 The capital moves to Heian (Kyoto).
• 1016 Fujiwara Michinaga becomes regent, marking the peak of Fujiwara power.
• 1159 The Taira clan under Taira Kiyomori takes over the power after the Heiji war.
• 1175 The Buddhist Jodo sect (Pure land sect) is introduced.
• 1180-85 In the Gempei War, the Minamoto clan puts an end to Taira supremacy.
• Read more about the Heian Period

Kamakura Period (1192 - 1333)

• 1191 The Zen sect is introduced.
• 1192 Minamoto Yoritomo is appointed shogun and establishes the Kamakura government in Kamakura.
• 1221 The Jokyu Disturbance ends a struggle between Kamakura and Kyoto, resulting in the supremacy of the Hojo regents in Kamakura.
• 1232 A legal code, the Joei Shikimoku, is promulgated.
• 1274 and 1281 The Mongols try to invade Japan twice, but fail mainly because of bad weather conditions.
• 1333 The Kamakura government falls.
• Read more about the Kamakura Period

Muromachi Period (1338 - 1573)

• 1334 Kemmu Restoration: the emperor restores power over Japan.
• 1336 Ashikaga Takauji captures Kyoto.
• 1337 The emperor flees and establishes the Southern court in Yoshino.
• 1338 Takauji establishes the Muromachi government and a second emperor in Kyoto (Northern court).
• 1392 Unification of the Southern and Northern courts.
• 1467-1477 Onin war.
• 1542 Portuguese introduce firearms and Christianity to Japan.
• 1568 Nobunaga enters Kyoto.
• 1573 The Muromachi government falls.
• Read more about the Muromachi Period

Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603)

• 1575 The Takeda clan is defeated in the battle of Nagashino.
• 1582 Nobunaga is murdered and succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
• 1588 Hideyoshi confiscates the weapons of farmers and religious institutions in the "Sword Hunt".
• 1590 Japan is reunited after the fall of Odawara (Hojo).
• 1592-98 Unsuccessful invasion of Korea.
• 1598 Death of Hideyoshi.
• 1600 Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats his rivals in the battle of Sekigahara.
• Read more about the Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

• 1603 Ieyasu is appointed shogun and establishes the Tokugawa government in Edo (Tokyo).
• 1615 The Toyotomi clan is destroyed after Ieyasu captures Osaka Castle.
• 1639 Isolation of Japan from the rest of the world except for strictly regulated trade with China, Korea, the Netherlands, the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Ainu.
• 1688-1703 Genroku era: popular culture flourishes.
• 1792 The Russians unsuccessfully try to establish trade relations with Japan.
• 1854 Commodore Matthew Perry forces the Japanese government to open a limited number of ports for trade.
• Read more about the Edo Period

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

• 1868 Meiji Restoration.
• 1868 The capital moves to Tokyo.
• 1872 First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama.
• 1889 The Meiji Constitution is promulgated.
• 1894-95 Sino-Japanese War.
• 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War.
• 1910 Annexation of Korea.
• 1912 Death of Emperor Meiji.
• Read more about the Meiji Period

Taisho Period (1912 - 1926)

• 1914-18 Japan joins allied forces in WW1.
• 1923 The Great Kanto Earthquake devastates Tokyo and Yokohama.
• Read more about the Taisho Period

Showa Period (1926 - 1989)

• 1931 Manchurian Incident.
• 1937 Second Sino-Japanese War starts.
• 1941 Pacific War starts.
• 1945 Japan surrenders after atomic bombs are dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• 1946 The new constitution is promulgated.
• 1952 The Allied Occupation of Japan ends.
• 1956 Japan becomes member of the UN.
• 1972 Normalization of relations with China.
• 1973 Oil crisis.
• Read more about the Showa Period

Heisei Period (1989 - 2019)

• 1992 Burst of the Bubble Economy.
• 1995 The Great Hanshin Earthquake hits Kobe.
• 1995 Sarin Gas attack in the Tokyo subway by Aum sect.
• 2011 The Great East Japan Earthquake hits the Tohoku Region.
• Read more about the Heisei Period