However, due to the change of various regulations after the Meiji Restoration, this custom was abolished, the pre-arrangement for Sawanomiya to enter into the temple to become a priest prince was cancelled in 1871, when Emperor Meiji ordered Imperial Prince Takehito, his father, to move to Tokyo, Sawanomiya also moved to Tokyo.
しかし、明治維新による諸制度の変革で宮門跡の制度が廃されたことから、明治4年（1871年）に稠宮の妙法院門跡内定は解約され、明治天皇によって父幟仁親王が東京への転居を命じられたのに従い、稠宮も上京した。