The Tokyo Geographical Society (TGS) founded in 1879 is a long-established Japanese academic society. In 2025, its membership totaled less than 700 professionals, comprising scientists, teachers, and engineers, active in fields including geology, mineralogy, geography, geophysics, and geochemistry. The founding concept of TGS 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 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.
 
TGS Website 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.
 
Poster on “Foundation of TGS” at Exhibition Hall (A13) The publication of TGS 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, the latest issues 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.
 
Special issues on themes of particular interest to geoscientists, 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:
Journal Archive

Sample copies at Exhibition Hall (A13) Open scientific lectures are held regularly in spring and autumn. 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 TGS website (Lectures and Geoscience Club) and in Journal of Geography to provide records of our activities.
Geoscience Club is a few times a year 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 (in central Tokyo). The Society conducts geo-tours and field trips once or twice a year in Japan for the Society members and the general public.
Information and reports on the geotours and field trips are posted on TGS website (Geotours) and in Journal of Geography.
In 2025, map lectures and geotours will be held for 8/7, 10/19, and 11/16.
 
Information flyers at Exhibition Hall (A13) Since 1983, we have continued the grant system for members and those introduced by our members.
1) Grants for geoscience surveys and research for up to 10 projects a year, a maximum of ¥500,000 per project
2) Grants for holding international research geoscience meetings in Japan, for one to three projects a year, up to ¥1,000,000 per project
3) Grants for publication activities to promote an understanding of various geoscience phenomena in general and to raise awareness of the geosciences in areas related to geoparks and natural heritage sites in Japan, for one to two projects a year, a maximum of ¥1,000,000 per project
4) Grants for outreach activities to promote an understanding of various geoscience and geography club in high schools, for one to two projects a year, a maximum of ¥150,000 per project
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, a maximum of ¥200,000 per project since 2024
6) Emergency Research and Survey Grants 2024 and 2025 for Noto Peninsula Earthquake of 2024 and subsequent disasters, and their reconstruction assistance for a few projects a year, a maximum of ¥1,000,000 per project
 
Guidelines are posted on TGS website (Grants and Awards) before the application period every year, and a list of grants awarded is also available.
 
Information flyers at Exhibition Hall (A13) 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 TGS website (Grant and Award) We welcome people engaged in research, education, or work related to the geosciences, as well as those interested in the geosciences in general, to join our society (annual membership fee: ¥5,000).

For details on membership, please consult our website (Membership).
 
Leaflets and membership application at Exhibition Hall (A13)