Tsukiji Foreign Settlement

Tsukiji Settlement (1886)

After Japan opened its ports following Commodore Perry's visit, a small section of land in Tsukiji was relegated as a foreigners' settlement. This was the only place in Tokyo where foreigners could live, or spread their ideas, including preaching Christianity. During this time, missionaries started twenty major universities in this district. While the universities have since moved, there are several memorials that mark the place of the former university. Additionally, St. Luke's International Hospital, a missionary-founded hospital, was built here. While the hospital has been rebuilt, the original hospital has been retained.

Following the Meiji Constitution in 1889, the extraterritorial concessions were lifted, the unequal treaties were repealed and, from 1899 onward, foreigners were no longer confined in Tsukiji.
This area demonstrates how Japanese were eager to learn Western ideas in the late Tokugawa era and the Meiji era.
Today there is no Foreign Settlement to see as it is all modernized.

For Social Studies teachers this site relates to the following Grade 8 Social Studies Outcomes:

" 8.1.6 analyze the effects that rapid adaptation had on traditionally isolated Japan during the

Meiji period by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

• How did the changes resulting from adaptation affect Japan economically, politically and

socially during the Meiji period?

• What challenges emerged for the Japanese in maintaining traditional cultural aspects of their

society while undergoing rapid change?"( From the Grade 8 Social Studies Program of Studies)