๐๏ธ Japanese Era Converter
Convert a Western calendar year into the Japanese era year (Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, Reiwa), or the other way around. Useful for filling out Japanese forms or checking dates on older documents.
How to use
- Choose the direction: "Western โ Japanese era" or "Japanese era โ Western".
- Enter the Western year, or the era name and era year.
- The converted result is shown automatically.
How the calculation works
A Japanese era year is Western year โ the era's starting year + 1. The first year of an era counts as year one (gannen), hence the +1. Going the other way, Western year = era start + era year โ 1. The era start years used here are Meiji 1868, Taishล 1912, Shลwa 1926, Heisei 1989 and Reiwa 2019. From Meiji onward Japan has followed "one reign, one era", so the era changes only when a new emperor accedes. Because eras can change mid-year, the year of a change spans two eras. Shลwa 64 lasted just seven days, 1 to 7 January 1989, with Heisei 1 beginning on 8 January. Likewise 2019 was Heisei 31 until 30 April and Reiwa 1 from 1 May. For those years, this tool shows both.
Worked example
2026 in the Japanese calendar 2026 โ 2019 + 1 = 8 โ Reiwa 8 Heisei 2 in the Western calendar 1989 + 2 โ 1 = 1990 Entering 1989 shows both Shลwa 64 (1โ7 January) and Heisei 1 (from 8 January). Pick whichever matches the actual date when filling in a form.
Things to be aware of
- In years with an era change (1912, 1926, 1989, 2019) the era depends on the date. Check the changeover date.
- Eras before Meiji (before 1868) are not supported.
- Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in Meiji 6 (1873). Earlier dates follow the old lunisolar calendar, so month and day do not map directly.
- Official documents may require "gannen" (ๅ ๅนด) rather than "year 1"; follow the instructions of whoever you are submitting to.
FAQ
How are era-transition years handled?
A year in which the era changed (e.g. 1989, 2019) can belong to either the old or new era depending on the exact date, so this tool shows both possible era-years. Check the actual transition date (Jan 8, 1989 or May 1, 2019, for example) to determine which applies.
What does "Year 1" (Gannen) mean?
It refers to the first year of a new era โ the same as era year 1 (e.g. Reiwa Gannen = Reiwa 1 = 2019).
Does this support eras before Meiji (before 1868)?
No โ this tool only supports eras from Meiji onward (1868 and later).