Japanese Era Converter

Japanese Eras (Gengō) Explained

Japanese eras, also called Gengō, are Japan's unique calendar system. The Japanese era system began with the "Taika Reforms" in 645 AD, with over 1300 years of history. After the Meiji Restoration, the "one-era-per-emperor" system was implemented, meaning each emperor uses only one era name.

Japanese era names typically consist of two kanji characters with auspicious meanings. The latest era name "Reiwa" comes from the classic Japanese poetry anthology Man'yōshū: "In early spring, the month of harmony, the wind is mild and the air is gentle." It is the first era name selected from Japanese classical literature rather than Chinese classics.

Modern Japanese Eras Table

Era to Gregorian Conversion

Reiwa: Gregorian year = 2018 + Reiwa year
Example: Reiwa 5 = 2023

Heisei: Gregorian year = 1988 + Heisei year
Example: Heisei 30 = 2018

Shōwa: Gregorian year = 1925 + Shōwa year
Example: Shōwa 64 = 1989

Taishō: Gregorian year = 1911 + Taishō year
Example: Taishō 15 = 1926

Meiji: Gregorian year = 1867 + Meiji year
Example: Meiji 45 = 1912

Note: The first year of an era is Year 1; consider the era start date for precise conversion

Lookup Examples

• Gregorian 2024-01-01 = Reiwa 6-01-01

• Reiwa 1-05-01 = Gregorian 2019-05-01

• Heisei 31-04-30 = Gregorian 2019-04-30

• Shōwa 64-01-07 = Gregorian 1989-01-07