This study examines energy systems in pre-industrial Malmö (1700-1845) and Edo (pre-industrial Tokyo 1603-1867). The objective is to examine pre-industrial facts that made two cities possible to sustain themselves for a long time without consuming a lot of energy and resources, understand the factors that changed it and analyze what today's city planner can learn from these examples. This study takes the form of a qualitative study. It therefore disregards the quantification of energy data. System Pespective is an important aspect of this study. Literature reviews and analysis has been our main method of data collection. Findings of this study indicates that attitude and mentality of inhabitants is an important aspect for a sustainable energy system. The reason why Edo and Malmö could maintain themselves with local energy and resource was due to the geo-political conditions of the cities that prohibited them from interacting with the world. Industrialization and capitalism was a main factor that altered local energy supply of the two cities. To continuously improve technological part of energy system to more local and renewable one is also an essential aspect however for sustainable city planning, inhabitants' attitude and knowledge is also a important part. Under current global economic system, a holistic perspective is also useful for cooperation between actors in a city and other cities in the world.