Learn about Japan

The territory of Japan comprises the four large islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and other smaller islands.

HOKKAIDO is made of 4 main areas. Cental, Northern, Southern and Eastern. AREA Consists of Sapporo & Hakodate are the major cities of Hokkaido.　 Hokkaidō Prefecture is the largest and northernmost.

The center of the island is mountainous & volcanic plateau. Hokkaidō is 83,423.84 km2 (32,210.12 sq mi) which makes it the 2nd largest island of Japan. The TSUGARU Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu island. 

HONSHU Island is divided into central, western and north-eastern Honshu. Traditionally, Honshu is further broken up into 5 smaller regions: 

Tohoku in the north, Kanto to the east, Chubu in the center, Kansai in the south and Chugoku to the west. Honshu had a population of 104 million as of 2017, constituting 81.3% of the entire population of Japan, and mostly concentrated in the coastal areas and plains. Approximately 30% of the total population resides in the Greater Tokyo Area on the Kanto Plain Region.

As the historical center of Japanese cultural and political power, the island includes several past Japanese capitals, including KYOTO, NARA & KAMAKURA. Honshu contains Japan's highest mountain, Mount Fuji, and its largest lake, BIWA Lake.

Most of Japan's industry is located in a belt running along Honshu's southern coast, from Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe & Hiroshima. Whereas economy along the northwestern Sea of Japan coast is largely based on fishing and agriculture.

TOHOKU AREA Consists of 6 Prefectures of the mixed cultural scape.

Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata.

KANTO AREA Consists of Tokyo, Hakone, Nikko

The Kanto Region is located in the eastern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan. It comprises the Tokyo Metropolis and the six prefectures Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, and Kanagawa Prefecture.

UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Nikko just two to three hours away is definitely worth a visit. Around Tokyo, there are prefectures with historical treasures and hot springs, such as Gunma and Saitama. Yokohama, the port city of Kanto famous for its fusion lifestyle and food.

TOKAI AREA Consists of Nagoya, Hida Takayama and Shirakawago, Mt. Fuji (Shizuoka and Yamanashi)

Hokuriku Shinetsu, :- Kanazawa ( the cultural capital) Niigata and Nagano are for Japan winter sports.

The Tōkai region is a combined or say partial of Chubu Area and partial of Kansai area. This area includes Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie areas. Tokai is an industrial manufacturing area & Nagoya is the major city in this region which contributes to the 3rd largest economy for the country. Boasting the beautiful Northwestern coastline of the main island and the mountains of the "Japan Alps", Besides enjoying the best of fresh seafood, Sake (Japanese Rice made alcohol drink) and fruits in the country,

TOKAI Area : is also the home of Mt Fuji.

Around this icon of Japan, there are resorts of hot springs and natural splendors, such as Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes area. The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Isejingu Shrine, one of the most time-honored Shinto shrines of Japan. For Tea lovers, visit the green tea plantations in Shizuoka.

Kansai AREA Consists of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Wakayama, Hyogo, Shiga, Fukui, Tokushima, Tottori. This KANSAI sometimes is also called KINKI REGION.

Kansai is the cultural and religious capital of Japan with castles & spiritual Zen gardens, and ancient temples and shrines. The religious and historical sites are in Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama. Famous Japan's castles Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture represents the glory of samurai culture and Japanese traditional craftsmanship.

Chugoku : has Hiroshima city, Tottori, Shimane Prefectures

Located in the west of the main island, the Chugoku area is the bridge to the island regions of Kyushu and Shikoku. The most famous tourist attraction in Chugoku may be the famous "floating" Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture. In Hiroshima, there is an Atomic Bomb Dome the UNESCO World Heritage listed. In Tottori and Shimane, there are rural landscapes, and Shimane's Izumo Taisha Shrine is worth a visit as the sacred place that is believed to be the gathering venue of all the gods of Japanese Shinto religion. In addition to the ancient shrines, you can learn about the modern history of Japan and "Meiji Reforms," the modernization movement of the country in the 19th century, at various historical sites in Yamaguchi. The one of the region’s most popular attractions with foreign visitors is the Mizuki Shigeru Museum and yokai (monster and spirit) statues of Kitaro Road in Tottori.

Takamatsu Matsuyama Setouchi islands Fukuoka Kumamoto Kagoshima

Shikoku (Setouchi islands )

Shikoku is the smallest among the four main islands of Japan, A Train tour to enjoy the views of Seto Inland Sea coastline, and if you happen to visit Shikoku in summer, you may plan an island hopping journey to appreciate artworks of the Setouchi Triennale. Don't forget to taste the udon noodles of world-fame produced in Kagawa and visit one of the Japan's oldest hot springs, Dogo Onsen with its history of over a thousand years of use. In Kotohira, see Japan's oldest working kabuki theatre and try climbing the thousand steps of Konpira-san Shrine.

Kyushu has Nagasaki City:

Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, has warm and comfortable weather nearly all year round. There are two historical port cities in Kyushu, Nagasaki and Mojiko, and both have fusion styles of food, architecture and communities as they were the earliest gateways to Japan, open to international trade, travel and immigrants. Visit Kumamoto and Kagoshima to view the magnificent volcanic landscapes and experience a hot sand bath. Don't miss the famous Kumamoto Castle, and be sure to visit Oita, known as "the prefecture of hot springs,"

Okinawa comprises Naha & Yaeyama islands:

As the southernmost part of Japan’s long island chain, Okinawa is a prefecture of subtropical climate and a resort for beaches and water sports. Come to explore the historical sites and restored Shuri Castle of the former Ryukyu Kingdom. Dive into the sea to visit the marine world of colorful coral reefs and undersea aquatic life. Whale-watching and dragon boat races are the exclusive and fun events that you can join in to enjoy the coastline and sea world of Okinawa.