Although the governing structure by old han (feudal domains) was maintained for a while in the early Meiji period, Bakuhan-taisei was eventually brought to the end through a series of Hanseki Hokan (the return of lands and people to the Emperor) and Haihan Chiken (the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures) under the new policy of centralization.
明治初期には旧藩による統治は維持されるが、中央集権政策のもと版籍奉還、廃藩置県により幕藩体制は終結する。