Guest Author - Jillian Michelle Williams
Geographically, Japan is divided into eight regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu. These regions are further divided into forty-seven prefectures, which are, in turn, finally divided into all the cities of the nation.
Hokkaido
Of Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is the northernmost and second largest. Winters are harsh, with average temperatures ranging from only 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 to -4 degrees Celsius). Hokkaido is the least developed of Japan’s islands, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The region’s capital, Sapporo, is also the fifth largest city of Japan.
Tohoku
Tohoku is located on the northernmost part of Honshu, the main island of Japan, and contains six of Japan’s prefectures. Like Hokkaido, Tohoku is known for its harsh climate. It is also known for producing high quality rice.
Kanto
Kanto is also located on Japan’s main island, Honshu, and is the region where Japan’s largest cities, Tokyo and Yokohama, are located. It is densely populated and is the most industrialized region of Japan. Kanto contains seven of Japan’s prefectures.
Chubu
Chubu is located at the center of Honshu and is comprised of nine of Japan’s prefectures. Chubu is home to Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest and most famous mountain peak. It also contains the oldest castle in Japan, Inuyama Castle.
Kinki
Kinki is located in west-central Honshu and is also commonly referred to as the Kansai region. It consists of seven prefectures and contains the cities Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. For over one thousand years, when Japan’s capital and emperor’s residence was located in Kyoto, Kinki was the political and cultural center of Japan. It is also the location of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines, the Ise Shrines.
Chugoku
Chugoku is located in western Honshu and contains five of Japan’s prefectures. Its capital and largest city, Hiroshima, is widely known for being the target of an atomic bomb by the USA during World War Two. Chugoku is also home to Japan’s famous floating torii, the gate to Itsukushima Shrine, which is located on Miyajima, or “shrine island.”
Shikoku
Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan and is located southwest of the main island, Honshu. It contains four of Japan’s prefectures. Its largest city, Matsuyama, is famous for Matsuyamajo, one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs.
Kyushu
Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island and is located southwest of the main island, Honshu. It contains eight of Japan’s prefectures, including the Okinawa Islands. It is also home of Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot springs resorts, Mount Aso, an active volcano, and Fukuoka, Kyushu’s largest city.
