I. Introduction
Japan is known for its rich and unique culture, which is heavily influenced by the country’s geography and history. However, identifying Japan’s regions can be difficult for visitors as the country is often viewed as one big metropolitan area. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to Japan’s regions and their unique characteristics.
II. Understanding Japan’s Geography and How It Influences Its Culture
Japan is an archipelago consisting of four major islands and numerous smaller ones. Mountains make up over two-thirds of the land, which has shaped the way people live and interact with nature. For example, the Japanese art of bonsai and Zen gardens are born from a profound respect for nature as well as the desire to bring it into the limited spaces of urban life. Similarly, Japan’s onsen (hotsprings) culture thrives due to their geographic abundance in volcanic regions.
III. Discovering the Diverse Regions of Japan: A Comprehensive Guide
Japan is divided into eight distinct regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa. Each region boasts unique natural scenery, historical landmarks, and cultural traditions.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is a large northern island known for its long winters and vast wilderness areas, including Daisetsuzan National Park. Hokkaido’s cuisine also has its own distinct flavors, known for fresh seafood and dairy products. Sapporo, Japan’s fifth-largest city, is located here and is famous for its beer, snow festival, and Susukino entertainment district.
Tohoku
Tohoku is a region located in northern Honshu, home to scenic coastal landscapes and natural hot springs. In the winter, visitors can see the famous snow monsters created by the heavy snowfalls in the region. Tohoku also has a rich history, with numerous historical sites such as the 1,000-year-old Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi and the Matsushima Bay’s 260 islands dotted with pine trees.
Kanto
Kanto region is centered around Tokyo and includes many of its surrounding prefectures. Tokyo is not only Japan’s capital but also a global center for business, fashion, food, and entertainment. Visitors can also explore the cities of Yokohama, Chiba, Saitama, and Kamakura, which have their own unique charms.
Chubu
Chubu region lies in the middle of Honshu and is home to iconic sights such as Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. The region has hot-springs resorts, ancient castles such as Matsumoto, and a rich culinary culture such as the city of Nagoya’s chicken wings and miso katsu pork cutlets.
Kansai
Kansai region is famous for its many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. Kyoto is home to numerous temples and gardens, including the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kinkakuji Temple. Osaka is known for its food culture and amusement parks, while Nara has the oldest wooden buildings and wild deer roaming in its park.
Chugoku
Chugoku region is known for its historical landmarks such as Hiroshima’s Peace Park, where the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped, and Miyajima Island’s Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its “floating” torii gate. Also, visitors can enjoy local delicacies such as the Okayama’s momiji manju (maple-leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweetened red bean paste).
Shikoku
Shikoku is Japan’s smallest main island, but it offers natural scenery, including the Iya Valley and Udatsu Sado Historical District. The island is also home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage, a famous religious tour of temples established by the monk Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi. Kagawa prefecture, home to Takamatsu city, is renowned for its udon noodles craft.
Kyushu-Okinawa
Kyushu-Okinawa region is located in southern Japan, known for its diverse cultures and landscapes, including the home of the world’s oldest hot springs town of Beppu in Oita prefecture. Kyushu is also famous for its pottery, including the Arita ware in Saga prefecture. Okinawa, a subtropical island chain south of Kyushu, is known for its beautiful beaches and unique Ryukyuan culture.
IV. Exploring Japan’s Cultural Treasures by Region
Japan’s rich cultural heritage manifests through unique landmarks and festivals in each region.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido Ainu Museum showcases the culture of the indigenous Ainu people, and Sapporo Snow Festival in February is a popular winter event attracting millions of visitors every year, featuring ice sculptures and food stalls.
Tohoku
The Sendai Tanabata Festival in August displays thousands of colorful paper decorations, and the Nebuta Festival in Aomori in August features massive illuminated floats depicting mythical warriors and animals.
Kanto
Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Skytree are some of Tokyo’s must-visit attractions, and Chichibu, an hour and a half northwest of Tokyo, has a breathtaking fireworks display in December.
Chubu
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and the Shirakawa-go village in Gifu is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
Kansai
Nishiki Market in Kyoto is famous for its street food stalls, and visitors can experience dressing up like Maiko, an apprentice Geisha, and take a leisurely boat ride along the Kamo River. Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan and Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest and most impressive aquariums, are also must-see attractions.
Chugoku
Then visitors to Shikoku or Kyushu should stop by Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Miyajima Island’s Itsukushima Shrine. Visitors to the Okayama Prefecture can explore Korakuen Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Japan and taste the local delicacy momiji manju.
Shikoku
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a famous religious tour of temples, including Kotohira-gu Shrine in Kagawa prefecture, known for its stone stairs. Visitors can also stop by one of Shikoku’s onsen towns, such as Dogo Onsen in Ehime prefecture, which is famous for its connection to the anime film Spirited Away.
Kyushu-Okinawa
Outdoor hot springs in Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen both in Oita prefecture are some of the most famous onsens in Japan. Visitors can also immerse themselves in Ryukyuan heritage and experience the unique eisa dance during Okinawa’s Eisa Festival, held in August.
V. A Visual Tour of Japan’s Prefectures: What Makes Each Region Unique
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, each with its unique landscape and landmarks. Here are some examples of what makes each region stand out:
Hokkaido
Mount Asahidake in Daisetsuzan National Park
Aomori
Hirosaki Castle and Neputa Festival
Akita
Namahage Museum and Kakunodate Samurai District
Yamagata
Yama-dera Temple, Zao Fox Village, and Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum
Iwate
Geibikei Gorge, Jodogahama Beach, and Tono Folk Village
Miyagi
Matsushima Bay and Zuihoden Mausoleum
Fukushima
Tsuruga-jo Castle and Ouchi-juku Village
Niigata
Sado Island and Pia Bandai
Ibaraki
Kairaku-en and Hitachi Seaside Park
Chiba
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Tokyo Disney Resort
Kanagawa
Hakone and Enoshima Island
Yamanashi
Lake Kawaguchi and Kofu City’s Takeda Shingen Festival
Nagano
Zenko-ji Temple and Jigokudani Monkey Park
Aichi
Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa Art Museum
Mie
Ise Grand Shrine and Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route
Gifu
Hida Takayama and Ena Gorge
Shizuoka
Mt. Fuji and Miho-no-Matsubara Pine Grove
Toyama
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Zuiryu-ji Temple
Osaka
Osaka Castle and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama
Hyogo
Himeji Castle and Kobe’s Chinatown
Nara
Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga-taisha Shrine
Wakayama
Nachi Falls and Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine
Tottori
Tottori Sand Dunes and Conan Town
Shimane
Izumo Taisha Shrine and Adachi Museum of Art
Okayama
Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle
Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island’s Itsukushima Shrine
Yamaguchi
Hagi and Akiyoshidai Plateau
Tokushima
Awa Odori Festival and Iya Valley
Kagawa
Kotohira-gu Shrine and Naoshima Island
Ehime
Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle
Kochi
Kochi Castle and Katsurahama Beach
Fukuoka
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival and Fukuoka Tower
Saga
Arita Town and Mifuneyama Rakuen Park
Nagasaki
Gunkanjima Island and Nagasaki Peace Park
Kumamoto
Kumamoto Castle and Mount Aso
Miyazaki
Takachiho Gorge and Udo Shrine
Kagoshima
Sakurajima and Sengan-en Garden
Okinawa
Shuri Castle and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
VI. From Hokkaido to Okinawa: Japan’s Regional Cuisine Delights
Japan’s regional cuisine is diverse, featuring fresh seafood, meat, and vegetables.
Hokkaido
Sapporo-style ramen and seafood platters
Tohoku
Grilled salmon and Kiritanpo (Mochi rice grilled on a stick)
Kanto
Sushi, ramen and sweet bean buns at a traditional tea house in Kanazawa prefecture’s Higashi Chaya District
Chubu
Hida beef and Kaga vegetables
Kansai
Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu skewers
Chugoku
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and sake
Shikoku
Sanuki udon noodles and jakoten (deep-fried fish cake)
Kyushu-Okinawa
Tonkotsu ramen and motsunabe (hot pot with beef or pork offal) in Hakata, Okinawa soba noodles made from wheat flour instead of buckwheat
VII. The Top Attractions to See in Each of Japan’s Five Main Regions
Japan can be divided into five main regions: Hokkaido & Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, and Chugoku & Shikoku.