🗺️ Shakkanho Unit Converter (All Japanese Units)

The Shakkanho Unit Converter is a comprehensive tool covering all major traditional Japanese measurement units in one place. The shakkanho (尺貫法) system was Japan official measurement system until the Metric Act of 1924, and its units remain embedded in Japanese culture, real estate, cuisine, and traditional crafts.

This converter lets you quickly translate any shakkanho unit to its metric equivalent without needing to memorize conversion factors.

Select a category, enter a value, and instantly see conversions to all metric units.

Base definitions (kane-jaku standard):

• 1 shaku = 10/33 m (length)
• 1 tsubo = 400/121 m2 (area)
• 1 go = 2401/13310 L (volume)
• 1 momme = 3.75 g (weight)

All other units derive from these via decimal relationships (x10, x100, etc.) or simple multiples (1 ken = 6 shaku, 1 kan = 1000 momme).

For detailed single-unit conversions, see our tsubo converter, sho converter, or momme converter. For general metric conversions, the area converter and weight converter are available.

1. Select a category: Length, Area, Volume, or Weight.
2. Enter the value in the shakkanho unit.
3. Select the specific unit from the dropdown.
4. View instant conversions to all metric units.

What is the shakkanho system?

Shakkanho (尺貫法) is the traditional Japanese measurement system, named after the shaku (foot) and kan (weight). It was Japan official system until the 1924 Metric Act but remains embedded in culture, real estate (tsubo), cooking (go, sho), and traditional crafts.

Can I convert between any shakkanho unit and metric?

Yes. The four base definitions are: 1 shaku = 10/33 m, 1 tsubo = 400/121 m2, 1 go = 2401/13310 L, 1 momme = 3.75 g. All other units derive from these via simple relationships (decimal multiples or fixed ratios).

Is the shakkanho system still legal in Japan?

The shakkanho system was abolished for general commerce by the 1958 Weights and Measures Act revision. However, specific units survive in specialized industries: tsubo (real estate), go/sho (rice/sake), momme (pearls), and shaku (traditional architecture).

Why does Japan still use traditional units?

Cultural inertia: most Japanese people intuitively understand "6-jo room" or "30 tsubo house" better than metric equivalents. These units are deeply woven into daily language, real estate practice, and traditional crafts. Full metrication was attempted but never completed for cultural reasons.

What is the most commonly used shakkanho unit today?

The go (180 mL, rice measurement) and tsubo (3.306 m2, real estate) are the most widely used in daily life. Every rice cooker includes a go measuring cup, and most property listings still reference tsubo alongside m2.

Real estate. Japanese property listings use tsubo for floor area and sometimes tan/cho for large land plots. 1 tsubo = 3.306 m2 = 2 tatami mats. Construction costs are quoted per tsubo.

Cooking. Rice cookers measure in go (180 mL). Sake bottles are 1 sho (1.8 L). Knowing these everyday conversions helps in Japanese kitchens.

Pearls and jewelry. Pearl weight is measured in momme (3.75 g). Always compare pearl prices per momme, not per carat, for consistency with international standards.

Architecture. Traditional building uses shaku (30.3 cm) and ken (1.818 m). Heritage restoration requires these units. The ken module determines pillar spacing, room depth, and roof proportions.

The decimal system. Shakkanho is mostly decimal: 10 sun = 1 shaku, 10 go = 1 sho, 10 sho = 1 to, 10 to = 1 koku, 10 tan = 1 cho, 1000 momme = 1 kan. This makes mental math easy.