Japanese cities are cities that can be founded by the Japanese civilization in Civilization IV and its expansions. The first city founded is the 
Capital, and the names of future cities are chosen in the order they appear on the list below.
The names listed are default names; players can change their cities' names if they choose.
Original[]
| Founding Order | City Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyoto | Capital of Japan for over 1000 years (794 - 1868). Before this, the ancient capitals of Japan were usually in the Yamato/Nara area. One of Japan's three main cities during the Tokugawa period, along with Osaka and Edo. Kyō-to means "Capital city". |
| 2 | Osaka | Second most populous city in Japan |
| 3 | Tokyo | Shogun's residence during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868), and current capital of Japan. Tō-kyō means "Eastern capital". Formerly known as Edo until the capital was moved here in 1868 as part of the Meiji Restoration. Considered a major Global City, and the world's most populous city. |
| 4 | Satsuma | Western half of Kagoshima, in Kyushu. Home of the samurai that rebelled against the Emperor after they helped secure his victory in the Boshin War. |
| 5 | Kagoshima | Capital of Kagoshima prefecture |
| 6 | Nara | Ancient capital of Japan, for most of the Nara period (710-794). Most ancient capitals of Japan were located in the Nara prefecture, centered around Yamato, until 708 when Empress Genmei established the city of Nara as the capital. |
| 7 | Nagoya | Third most populous city in Japan |
| 8 | Izumo | City with one of the oldest Shinto shrines |
| 9 | Nagasaki | Capital of Nagasaki prefecture, in Kyushu |
| 10 | Yokohama | Capital of Kanagawa prefecture. Part of Greater Tokyo metropolitan area. |
| 11 | Shimonoseki | City at southern tip of Honshu |
| 12 | Matsuyama | Most populous city on Shikoku |
| 13 | Sapporo | Fourth most populous city in Japan. Most populous city on Hokkaido. |
| 14 | Hakodate | Port city in Hokkaido. First Japanese city open to foreign trade. |
| 15 | Ise | Holy city of Shinto |
| 16 | Toyama | Capital of Toyama prefecture, on the northern coast of central Honshu |
| 17 | Fukushima | Capital of Fukushima prefecture, in northern Honshu |
| 18 | Suo | Province in southern Honshu during feudal Japan |
| 19 | Bizen | City and province near Okayama and known for its pottery |
| 20 | Echizen | Ancient Japanese province near Kyoto |
| 21 | Izumi | City in Kagoshima. Translates to "spring" or "fountain". |
| 22 | Omi | Ancient Japanese province, located around Lake Biwa |
| 23 | Echigo | Ancient Japanese province of northern Honshu coast |
| 24 | Kozuke | Ancient province of Japan in central Honshu |
| 25 | Sado | Island in Sea of Japan off coast of northern Honshu, known for its gold mines |
Added in BtS[]
| Founding Order | City Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kobe | Capital of Hyogo prefecture |
| 2 | Nagano | Capital of Nagano prefecture |
| 3 | Hiroshima | Capital of Hiroshima prefecture. Most populous city in Chugoku. |
| 4 | Takayama | City in mountains of central Japan |
| 5 | Akita | Capital of Akita prefecture. The Akita dog breed is from here. |
| 6 | Fukuoka | Capital of Fukuoka prefecture. Largest city in Kyushu. |
| 7 | Aomori | Capital of Aomori prefecture, in northern Japan |
| 8 | Kamakuro | Actually should be Kamakura, a city near Tokyo. Seat of the Kamakura shogunate (1185-1333). |
| 9 | Kochi | Capital of Kochi prefecture |
| 10 | Naha | Capital of Okinawa prefecture. Most populous city of the Ryukyu Islands. |