What Was Life Really Like in the Edo Period? A Simple Guide to the Daily Lives of Commoners and Samurai

As you learn about the Edo period established by Tokugawa Ieyasu, have you ever wondered, “What kind of lives did people live back then?”

By understanding the daily lives of commoners and samurai during the Edo period, you can enjoy Japanese history on a much deeper level.

In this article, we will explain what kind of era the Edo period was, the characteristics of life during that time, and the daily lives of both commoners and samurai in the Edo period.

What Kind of Era Was the Edo Period?

The Edo period began when Tokugawa Ieyasu won the Battle of Sekigahara and established the Edo shogunate.

It lasted for about 260 years, from 1603 to 1867, during which time politics, the economy, and culture developed significantly.

At the time, in order to maintain stability, Japan adopted a policy of “sakoku” (national isolation), which restricted contact and trade with foreign countries. However, factors such as the arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853, which led to the decline of the shogunate’s authority, eventually brought the Edo period to an end.

Key Characteristics of Life in the Edo Period

The main characteristics of life during the Edo period can be summarized in the following three points:

• Daily life differed depending on social class 
• People followed a “early to bed, early to rise” lifestyle 
• Society functioned as a sustainable, circular system 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these three features. 

Life Differed Depending on Social Class

The Edo shogunate established a clear social class system in order to strengthen its control, and as a result, people’s lifestyles—such as clothing, food, and housing—varied depending on their class. 

In addition to these groups, there were also people such as the Emperor, court nobles, and Buddhist monks, who were treated with a status comparable to the samurai, as well as those known as “eta” and “hinin,” who were considered the lowest social classes. 

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An “Early to Bed, Early to Rise” Lifestyle

Compared to today, there was far less artificial lighting during the Edo period, so it was common for people to go to bed around 7–8 p.m. after sunset and wake up around 4–5 a.m. to begin their day.

Because people lived in alignment with the natural cycle of the sun and did not stay up late, it is said that they were less likely to suffer from chronic sleep deprivation like people often do today.

A Sustainable, Circular Society

During the Edo period, Japan practiced sakoku (national isolation), and in order to rely solely on domestic resources, it developed a sustainable, circular society.

Plants were widely used for many aspects of daily life, including fuel for lighting, clothing, and food. After houses were dismantled, the materials were reused as building materials for other homes, and even wood scraps were recycled as fuel or fertilizer.

In addition, there were many recycling and repair businesses, and it was common to reuse ash as fertilizer, dye material, or cleaning agents, as well as to recycle used washi paper into new paper.

Life in the Edo Period (For Commoners)

From here, we will introduce the daily life of commoners, such as townspeople, in the Edo period through the following four categories: 

• Clothing 
• Food 
• Housing 
• Entertainment 

Let’s take a closer look at what life was really like for commoners during the Edo period. 

Clothing

The Edo shogunate encouraged commoners to wear clothing made of cotton or hemp, while restricting the use of silk, thereby prohibiting luxurious attire.

In addition, the use of bright colors was also limited, which led to the widespread use of more subdued tones such as indigo-dyed fabrics.

However, commoners still found ways to enjoy fashion within these restrictions. Even with simple clothing, they expressed their sense of style through color combinations, patterns of undergarments, and layering techniques, achieving surprisingly refined looks.

Food

In the early Edo period, it was common to eat two meals a day, in the morning and evening. However, from the mid-Edo period onward, the practice of eating three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—became established.

For townspeople, a basic meal typically consisted of rice, miso soup, and pickles. Due to increased rice production during the Kyōhō Reforms, it is said that an adult consumed as much as five cups of rice per day.

In addition, various types of food establishments, including street stalls, began to appear, and people enjoyed dishes such as soba, sushi, and tempura.

On the other hand, among farmers, rice consumption was strictly limited in order to meet tax obligations in rice, so they often ate more modest meals such as barley rice or soba dumplings.

Housing 

Many townspeople in the Edo period lived in rental row houses called “ura-nagaya,” which were built in back alleys of urban areas.

These houses were quite small and simply constructed, typically divided into spaces of about 3 tsubo (approximately 10 square meters). However, because the rent was relatively affordable—about 8,000 to 12,000 yen per month (modern equivalent)—they were widely accepted.

Although privacy was minimal, residents supported one another in daily life. For example, neighbors would step in to mediate family arguments or share seasonings and daily necessities, creating a strong sense of community.

Meanwhile, farmers generally lived in rural villages away from castle towns, showing that their living environments differed from those of townspeople.

Entertainment

Common forms of entertainment for townspeople included rakugo storytelling, sumo wrestling, magic shows, and mechanical performances (karakuri) at entertainment booths.

Kabuki theater, which was especially popular among the people of Edo, often featured dramatic performances such as heroic tales, particularly the bold and exaggerated style known as “aragoto.” Audiences enjoyed these performances while eating boxed meals and drinking tea.

Seasonal activities were also an important source of enjoyment. People appreciated the changing seasons through events such as cherry blossom viewing in spring and moon viewing in autumn.

In contrast, farmers, who lived under stricter control, were generally allowed to enjoy food and drink during religious events, often preparing special seasonal meals for such occasions.

Life in the Edo Period (For Samurai)

Here, we will explain what kind of lives samurai lived during the Edo period, divided into the following four categories: 

• Clothing 
• Clothing 
• Housing 
• Entertainment 

By understanding these unique lifestyles of the Edo period, you can gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese history.

Clothing

Samurai clothing was strictly regulated according to rank and family status, and it is said that one’s social position could be recognized at a glance.

Formal attire was further divided into eight detailed ranks, and the highest-ranking ceremonial outfit, known as “sokutai,” could not be worn without the assistance of attendants.

Clothing for women of samurai families was also carefully regulated. For those who were not of a rank permitted to have an audience with the shogun, the more common garment known as “kosode”—also worn by commoners—was widely used.

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Food

The diet of lower-ranking samurai was quite similar to that of commoners, with the addition of simple dishes such as simmered vegetables.

Fish was only eaten a few times a month, and it is said that some samurai even enjoyed eating at street stalls alongside commoners.

On the other hand, higher-ranking samurai tended to avoid street stalls due to concerns about status and appearance, and some instead dined at high-end traditional restaurants.

Housing

Samurai residences were strictly determined according to rank and status. For example, powerful feudal lords (daimyō) who participated in the system of alternate attendance (sankin-kōtai) and traveled to Edo could have estates spanning tens of thousands of square meters.

In contrast, lower-ranking samurai often lived in separate designated areas, but their living conditions were similar to commoners, sometimes sharing row houses (nagaya).

While they occasionally held social gatherings with sake, many samurai faced financial difficulties and took on side jobs to support themselves.

Entertainment

Common forms of entertainment for samurai included drinking, fishing, visiting pleasure districts, and watching Noh theater.

It is also said that because Tokugawa Ieyasu enjoyed gardening, horticulture became popular among samurai as well.

Although kabuki theater, which was extremely popular among commoners, was officially off-limits to samurai, it is said that many secretly went to watch performances.

What Was Life Really Like in Edo Japan? — Summary

In this article, we explained what kind of era the Edo period was, the key characteristics of life during that time, and the daily lives of both commoners and samurai.

If you would like to learn more about the Edo period, why not try studying through the online lessons at Oku Sensei’s Japanese?

At OSJ, Oku Sensei—who has over 20 years of teaching experience at universities across the United States—provides careful support not only for learning Japanese, but also for gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture.

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