【Kyoto History Guide】Iwakura Tomomi: The Mastermind Behind the Meiji Restoration

Hello everyone! Welcome to your travel guide for exploring Japan’s incredible history.

While samurai like Saigo Takamori get the spotlight, the true political mastermind behind the Meiji Restoration was a court noble named Iwakura Tomomi. Operating from the shadows, he engineered the coup that ended 260 years of Tokugawa Shogunate rule.

In this guide, we’ll visit Iwakura’s secret mountain hideout and the sites where he changed Japanese history!

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1. The Secret Hideout: Iwakura Tomomi’s Residence

Targeted by assassins during political turmoil, Iwakura went into exile in the quiet village of Iwakura (northern Kyoto) from 1862 to 1867.

His humble thatched-roof house remains preserved today. It features secret hiding spots and rooms where samurai leaders like Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi, and Sakamoto Ryoma met in total secrecy to plot the overthrow of the Shogunate.

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2. Stage of the Coup: Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kogosho)

On December 9, 1867, Iwakura led the famous declaration of the Restoration of Imperial Rule (Osei Fukko) at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

During a heated conference at the Kogosho hall, Iwakura demanded the abolition of the Shogun office and the forfeiture of Tokugawa lands, officially giving birth to the modern Meiji government.

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3. Summary

Hiding in a quiet mountain village, Iwakura Tomomi used brilliant political strategy to dismantle samurai rule in Japan. Visit his serene former residence to experience the hidden side of the Meiji Restoration!