The Tokyo Geographical Society (TGS) founded in 1879 is a long-established Japanese academic society. In 2024, its membership totaled approximately 700 professionals, comprising scientists, teachers, and engineers, active in fields including geology, mineralogy, geography, geophysics, and geochemistry. The founding concept of the Society is to contribute to the advancement of the geosciences over a wide range of related fields encompassing the natural and social sciences, humanities, and engineering, and to promote the public dissemination of research results in the geosciences.
 
Although we have no regular meetings for presenting research papers as usual academic societies, we have continued to carry out a wide range of activities enhancing public interests in geoscience since the TGS establishment in 1879 as below:
1. Enhancing public awareness on geosciences
1) Scientific lectures, excursion and geotours
2) Collecting books and literature related to geosciences and compiling the history of geosciences
3) Introduction of geo-experts among the society members to the public as lecturers, committee members, geotour guides, etc.
4) Cooperation and contact with related academic societies
5) Publicity activities through website
 
2. Publishing and distribution of geoscience journals and publications
1) Editing and publishing the official journal: Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi)
2) Distribution and selling publications of the society
3. Grant and award programs for researches and outreach activities
1) Grants for geoscience researches, international geoscience meetings, and outreach activities and publications
2) Awards for individuals and groups within Japan and abroad, who are significantly contributing to the development and dissemination of geoscience. Soon after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, four diplomatic and cultural envoys—statesmen and scholars Hiromoto Watanabe (1848–1901), Takeaki Enomoto (1836–1908), Naohiro Nabeshima (1846–1921), and Moriyoshi Nagaoka (1842–1906)—were dispatched on missions to countries in West Europe and Russia. They all came to realize the important roles the geosciences played in the development of these advanced nations. Having joined Royal Geographical Societies in Vienna, London, and St. Petersburg during their stays in Europe, and they felt there was a strong need to establish a similar society in Japan. Upon returning to Japan, they founded the Tokyo Geographical Society on April 18, 1879. Modeled after the Geographical Society of London (the Royal Geographical Society), its purpose was to contribute to the modernization of Japan. Imperial Prince Yoshihisa Kitashirakawa (1847–1895) accepted an invitation to be the first president.
Initially, members consisted of members of the imperial families, aristocrats, politicians, diplomats, and military officers. Later, geoscience experts became leading members of the society, reflecting a gradual increase in the number of geoscientists in Japan. Since the 1970s, geoscientists have served as presidents of the society.
 
Poster on “Foundation of the Tokyo Geographical Society” is displayed in the Exhibition Hall (Booth A13). The publication of the Society at the time of its founding, the Report of the Tokyo Geographical Society, was succeeded by the Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), which was first issued in 1889. Six issues a year volume since 2013, the latest issues, including papers in press, and editorial and submission guides, can be accessed at the journal website of TGS. All issues and papers since 1889 are archived on J-STAGE. The number of papers downloaded each month in recent years has exceeded tens of thousands, indicating the high degree of recognition our official journal enjoys in the geoscience community.
 
Special issues on themes of particular interest to geoscientists, including natural and human geography, focus mainly on the Japanese archipelago and the Asian region as a whole. Distinguished geoscientists engaged in a wide range of fields provide valuable review papers summarizing the frontiers of their research. Published in color, examples of recent issues are shown below. Open scientific lectures are held regularly in spring and autumn, together with special lectures when appropriate. Geo-experts give easy-to-understand explanations on topics of broad interest to the general public, such as natural hazards, climate change, and natural resources, as well as interdisciplinary issues. Announcements, abstracts, reports, and materials related to the lectures are available on the TGS website (Lectures and Geoscience Club) and in Journal of Geography.
 
The Geoscience Club is a bi/tri-monthly lecture event designed to promote the geosciences, as well as to serve a social function for members and guests. Geoscientists engaged in first-rate research are invited to present state-of-the-art research results in a relaxed, salon-like atmosphere at the auditorium of the Chigaku Kaikan (TGS-owned building). This series of lecture events has been held since 1961.
Geoscience Club and scientific lectures are open to the general public and do not require pre-registration.
We will announce the schedules on the TGS website (Lectures and Geoscience Club page), so please feel free to attend. The Society conducts geo-tours and field trips once or twice a year in Japan and overseas for the Society members and the general public.
In the case of domestic tours lasting one-day or a few days, experts who are familiar with the nature and history of areas visited act as guidesf and provide detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of geosites and important related issues.
The Society organizes oversea field trips of a few days to one week once a year, which include visits to prominent geosites, natural museums, and geologically important sites.

Information and reports on geotours and field trips are posted on the TGS website (News/Geotours and Field Trips page) and in the Journal of Geography. We established the following grant system for members and those introduced by our members.
1) Grants for geoscience surveys and research (including educational methods and dissemination research) for up to 10 projects a year
2) Grants for holding international research geoscience meetings in Japan, for one to three projects a year
3) Grants for publication activities to promote an understanding of various geoscience phenomena related to geoparks and natural heritage sites in Japan, for one to two projects a year
4) Grants for outreach activities to promote an understanding of various geoscience and geography in high school clubs, for one to two projects a year since 2024
5) Grants for outreach activities to promote an understanding of various geoscience and geography education in high schools, for one to two projects a year since 2024
6) Emergency Research and Survey Grants 2024 for Noto Peninsula Earthquake of January 2024 for a few projects The Society honors individuals and groups both in Japan and overseas who contribute significantly to the development and dissemination of the geosciences with two awards: the Medal of the Tokyo Geographical Society and the Distinguished Service Award for Geoscience Dissemination.
A list of award recipients is available on the TGS website (Award Recipients).