The article is devoted to the peculiarities of periodization, dating and chronology of the history of Japan. The original Japanese methods of periodization of history, which differ from Western standards, as well as chronology and calendar systems common in Japan, are presented. The relevance of the publication is related to the analysis of Japanese methods of chronology and periodization in a comprehensive and integrated form, although Japanologists are well familiar with each individual method. In particular, the model of chronology from the founding of Japan, which went out of use after the end of World War II, is presented. The system of era names of the reign of the emperors, still in used today, is also considered in detail. For a long time in Japan, the system of the zodiac sixty-year cycle, adopted from China, was widely used (it was officially abandoned only after the Meiji Revolution). The article deals with some very specific Japanese periodization systems, such as by the location of capitals or by the dynasties of real rulers (shoguns, etc.). The system of periodization familiar to Western historians (from antiquity to modern history) is correlated with the usual Japanese and English terminology. The specificity of the methods of dating and periodization under consideration are presented on the background of historical evolution of society. The presented materials allow not only to learn about the specific nature of the Japanese chronology, calendar system and periodization of history, but also to get a complete picture of the features of the historical evolution of Japan.