What is the Largest Island in Japan? 4 Main Islands on Map

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Do you realize that the largest island in Japan is inhabited by more than half the country’s population and several notable structures? 

Over the perception of Japanese culture, why do you think islands within the country help understand more about the country’s geography as well?

Japan is an archipelago comprising four main islands. Here is the Islands of Japan list.

• Honshu
• Hokkaido
• Kyushu
• Shikoku

Each offers unique landscapes, histories, and cultural experiences. 

Let’s not to say exceptional of every one of them. You will have an image in mind of Japan’s islands. I bet you will be ready to go there for a couple of weeks. 

Get more to discover with cheap places to travel. 

Overview of Japan’s Islands

Japan is a chain of volcanos in the Pacific Ocean. 

4 main islands of Japan map namely Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. 

These islands are the cultural and economically active parts of Japan.

These islands are stretched over 3000 kilometers from north to south. 

There is numerous climatic and ecological variations are encountered within them.

Honshu

The largest island hosts cities. These include Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and the magnificent Mount Fuji.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido island is located in the north of the country. 

It is appreciated for its picturesque scenery, the cold weather, and several recreational activities like skiing and hiking.

Kyushu

This island is the furthest southwest of the four. 

It is surrounded by many active volcanoes and cultural heritage – Nagasaki is one of those.

Shikoku

It is known as the smallest island among the four main islands with noted pilgrimage sites and peaceful surroundings.

Each of these islands plays a crucial role in shaping Japan’s culture, economy, and natural environment. 

It contributes to the country’s diverse identity.

1. Honshu – The Largest Island

Honshu is the largest island of Japan and the island has more population than any other island of Japan. 

It is a central part of Japan’s nationality. It stretches from a rather cool and mountainous north to a warmer and milder south. 

Honshu is the geographical, economic, cultural, and political center of great Japan.

Size and Location

Honshu is the 7th largest island in the whole world with an area of about 227960 square kilometers. 

It lies between Hokkaido Island to the north and Kyushu Island to the south. 

It has the Sea of Japan on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the East Coast.

Major Cities

Honshu is known for most of the filled countries in Japan. 

I visit each of them whenever I get the chance.

Tokyo

The capital city of Japan is the best modern city. 

Thanks to cutting-edge technologies work hand in hand with spirituality and the ancient way of doing things.

Osaka

Food leads the way towards pleasure in this city from the wide boulevard to the street restaurants with the bars beside them.

Kyoto

It once was the seat of the emperor of Japan, now it contains many shrines, stunning landscaped parks, and old tea shops.

Notable Attractions

What is Honshu Island famous for? 

Honshu has also many resourceful miracles of Japan. The tourists tend to seek more often than other things in this region.

Mount Fuji

The highest mountains in Japan is Mount Fuji. Many tourists visit there around the year. 

It features hikers and photographers who come from different parts of the globe.

Hiroshima

This city is most famous because of the Peace Memorial Park. 

It is established in memory of those who perished in the nuclear bomb in 1945.

Kamakura

Many visitors come here because of its impressive Great Buddha statue and the temples in the area.

Cultural Significance

For the past several centuries, Honshu has been the core of Japanese culture. 

The area possesses many aspects from the history of Kyoto to the rapid development found in Tokyo. 

Honshu consists of  UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a testament to the region’s historical value in society.

2. Hokkaido – Nature’s Playground

When I visited Hokkaido island, I enjoyed it pleasant weather and natural sceneries. 

People who have a craving for extreme sports can visit there and enjoy. 

This island possesses many national parks. 

It has many volcanoes and best of all has natural weather that supports winter games, most especially skiing. 

Size and Location

Hokkaido island has 83 450 km of land. It is located on the northern side of Honshu with the strait in between. 

This island is the least populated out of the four main islands and hence forms a great getaway for a nature lover. 

Major Cities

Sapporo

The biggest city in Hokkaido, home of the Snow Festival, fresh seafood and a lively beer scene.

Natural Attractions

National Parks

Among the many national parks in Hokkaido are the magnificent Daisetsuzan and Shiretoko National Parks. 

These offer visitors sports such as hiking, hot springs, and observing animals.

Hot Springs (Onsen)

Hokkaido contains natural hot water springs suitable for calming the body after a tiring day of travel.

Cultural Significance

Nnative Ainu community shaped its culture. 

There are specific traditions and history which are also integral to the island today. 

It is one of the busy cities found in Honshu. 

This provides a good reason why the island attracts more tourists activities and those who love peace and scenic beauty. 

3. Kyushu – A Land of Volcanoes and Tradition

The smallest island in Japan is Kyushu. 

The way the European continent’s direction is fit into Japan is Kyushu which is the extreme south-west island. 

It is characterized as a land of opposite attractions dotted with vibrant urban centers.  

Size and Location

Kyushu has an area of 36,782 sq km. 

It is the third-largest of the Japanese islands. 

It is situated in the southern part of Honshu island across Kanmon Straits.

Major Cities

Fukuoka

An economically leading city with an advanced technology sector and boasting some of the best ramen in Japanese cuisine.

Nagasaki

Formerly known for its importance in international commerce. 

Ssecond atomic bomb was dropped here.

Attractions

Volcanoes

The island of Kyushu is also the location of Mount Aso, the one of world’s extremely active volcanoes.

Hot Springs

Japan’s Kyushu Island comes along with many hot spring resorts. 

One of them is Beppu Onsen.

Cultural Significance

Kyushu has always been in the focus since Axial time. 

It has many factors as there are evidence of contact with Chinese, Korean, and even European cultures. 

The architecture, the food, and the customs are all variations of those influences.

4. Shikoku – The Smallest Island of Japan

Shikoku is Japan’s smallest island out of the four main islands.

It provides a unique and quite spiritual experience away from the hustle of the other large cities in Japan.

Size and Location

It is 18,800 square km in area.

Shikoku is positioned to the southern part of Honshu beyond the Seto Inland Sea.

Major Cities

Matsuyama

Well known for its civic Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle.

Takamatsu

The entrance of Shikoku has a magnificent Ritsurin Garden.

Attractions

Shikoku Pilgrimage

A about 1200-kilometer long way which includes visiting 88 Buddhist temples. 

It is thus attractive to several people who practice spirituality.

Beaches

The coastlines of Shikoku can boast some of the most tranquil beaches in all of Japan suitable for basking.

Cultural Significance

Being a small branch of Joshu, Shikoku is a deeply religious place. 

Almost everyone who walks the pilgrimage does so for a requisite period of time. 

Its celebrations and serene sceneries stand in stark contrast to the rest of modernized Japan.

Comparative Overview of the Islands

Island	Size (sq km)	Population	Key Attractions
Honshu	227,960	104 million	Mount Fuji, Tokyo, Kyoto
Hokkaido	83,450	5.4 million	National parks, Sapporo, onsen
Kyushu	36,782	13 million	Volcanoes, Fukuoka, Nagasaki
Shikoku	18,800	3.8 million	Pilgrimage, beaches, hot springs

The Departure

Every island in Japan has its managing structure, just as every island has a unique persona. 

The geography within these Islands calls for the need to understand the cultural aspects of each of the Islands. 

Exploring Japan’s various islands guarantees satisfaction.

How about you begin your journey and see how interesting the islands are?