In 1871, when the army under the command of Takamori SAIGO went up to Tokyo to prepare against contingencies after the enforcement of the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures (haihan chiken), he followed him leading his battalion, and when his battalion was incorporated into the imperial convoy, he was appointed colonel.
明治4年（1871年）、廃藩置県に備えて西郷隆盛が兵を率いて上京したとき、大隊を率いて随い、御親兵に編入され、陸軍大佐に任じられた。