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Japanese Era ⇄ Western Year Converter
Convert Reiwa, Heisei, Shōwa, Taishō and Meiji years to the Western calendar — and back — instantly. Free, private, and accurate to the exact day the era changed.
The five modern eras at a glance
Each era corresponds to one emperor's reign. Click an era for its full year-by-year table.
| Era | Kanji | Period | Years | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reiwa | 令和 | May 1, 2019 – present | Reiwa 1 = 2019 | + 2018 |
| Heisei | 平成 | Jan 8, 1989 – Apr 30, 2019 | Heisei 1 = 1989 | + 1988 |
| Shōwa | 昭和 | Dec 25, 1926 – Jan 7, 1989 | Shōwa 1 = 1926 | + 1925 |
| Taishō | 大正 | Jul 30, 1912 – Dec 24, 1926 | Taishō 1 = 1912 | + 1911 |
| Meiji | 明治 | Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912 | Meiji 1 = 1868 | + 1867 |
The "convert" column is the shortcut: Shōwa year + 1925 = Western year (e.g. Shōwa 45 + 1925 = 1970). Year 1 of an era is called 元年 gannen.
Where you'll meet Japanese era years
Era years are everywhere in Japan — knowing how to convert them helps you read:
- Coins — the minting year is stamped in era format, often in kanji numerals like 昭和四十五年 (Shōwa 45 = 1970). Learn to read them →
- Official documents & forms — birth dates and issue dates on Japanese paperwork, visas, and driver's licenses use era years.
- Vintage cameras, watches & collectibles — manufacturing marks and warranty cards from Japan often carry Shōwa-era dates.
- Books & records — Japanese publications list era-year publication dates in the colophon.
Frequently asked questions
What year is Reiwa 8 in the Western calendar?
Reiwa 8 is 2026. To convert any Reiwa year, add 2018 to it (Reiwa 1 = 2019).
What is a Japanese era name (gengō / nengō)?
A gengō (元号), also called nengō (年号), is the name of the period used for counting years in the official Japanese calendar. Since 1868 each era matches one emperor's reign: Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, Heisei, and the current Reiwa era, which began on May 1, 2019. Era years appear on Japanese official documents, driver's licenses, coins, and forms.
Why do some years, like 1989 and 2019, have two era names?
Because the era changes partway through the calendar year when an emperor's reign ends. In 1989, January 1–7 was Shōwa 64 and January 8 onward was Heisei 1. In 2019, January 1 – April 30 was Heisei 31 and May 1 onward was Reiwa 1. The same happened in 1912 (Meiji 45 / Taishō 1) and 1926 (Taishō 15 / Shōwa 1).
How do I read a date like 昭和45年 on a Japanese coin or document?
昭和 is the era name Shōwa and 45年 means year 45, so 昭和45年 is Shōwa 45 = 1970. Coins often write the year in kanji numerals, e.g. 昭和四十五年 (four-ten-five = 45). Year 1 of any era is written 元年 (gannen) instead of 1年. See the reading guide for step-by-step examples.
What year came before Reiwa 1?
Heisei 31. Emperor Akihito abdicated on April 30, 2019 (Heisei 31), and the Reiwa era began the next day, May 1, 2019, under Emperor Naruhito.
Does this converter cover dates before 1868?
No. Before Meiji, Japan used over 240 historical era names and a lunar calendar, so accurate conversion needs specialized historical tables. This tool covers the five modern eras from Meiji (1868) to the present, which covers the coins, documents, cameras, and records you are most likely to encounter.