Togo served as captain of the 'Naniwa (protected cruiser)' from the beginning of hostilities in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894, and had an active role in the Battle of Pungdo (the sinking of the British Kowshing incident), the Battle of Yalu (Sino-Japanese War), and the Battle of Weihaiwei.
明治27年（1894年）の日清戦争では緒戦より「浪速(防護巡洋艦)」艦長を務め、豊島沖海戦（イギリス船籍の高陞号撃沈事件）、黄海海戦(日清戦争)、威海衛海戦で活躍する。