You might think that this question is stupid and obvious so you just never bother to ask anybody what island Tokyo is on. Isn’t Japan the name of the island?
If that is what you thought you would be wrong. The largest island belonging to Japan is in fact named Honshu and it is on this island that Tokyo can be found (see also ‘Which Places Should I Avoid In Tokyo?‘).
If you are curious to find out more about the island of Honshu and the regions that are on this large island then make sure to read further where we will try our best to show you everything you need to know about the island of Honshu.
So, without further ado, let us get started!
Honshu Is Japan’s Largest Island
The vast majority of Japan’s large prominent cities and landmarks are located on the island of Honshu.
This includes Tokyo. If you have been planning a trip to Japan it is highly likely that you will have planned to spend time on this island.
This is because almost everything that has made Japan famous has originated from this one large island.
On top of that about eighty percent of Japan’s population lives and works on the island of Honshu because of this it is the natural place for tourists to visit.
But did you know that there are five regions that make up the island of Honshu? Below we are going to go over these regions and what makes them special.
Island Regions On Honshu
In the following section we are going to take a closer look at the regions you will find on the island of Honshu. So, without further ado, let us get started!
The Kanto Region
The first and most prosperous region of Honshu is the Kanto region. If you are a fan of Pokémon you may have heard this name before and just thought of it as a fantasy place that sprung from someone else’s imagination.
But, we are here to tell you that it is a very real place.
The weather here is usually pretty humid in the summer, but overall it is a pretty comfortable region temperature wise.
What is in this Region? Let’s take a look at some of the most famous sites and places in the Kanto region on the island of Honshu:
Tokyo Metropolis – The Tokyo metropolis is massive, it is hard to even imagine just how big this city is. This city is known to be one of the most advanced locations in the world. Even the public transport is unbeaten by anyone in the world.
Shibuya – This part of Tokyo got its claim to fame from the extremely popular game ‘Animal Crossing’. But this part of Tokyo is also extremely famous for the Ebisu and Harajuku districts which is where many cafés and fantastic shops can be found.
Shinjuku – This location will be well known by the Godzilla fans of the world. But this part of the Kanto region is also super fun to explore at night and will have tons of great places to eat and drink.
Minato – If you are interested in checking out the famous companies located in Japan then you have to check out this part of Japan located in the Kanto region.
There are many other fantastic places that you can find in the Kanto region. The Kanagawa Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture and Chiba Prefecture are just a few of the amazing places we have missed out in this region.
The Kansai Region
If you are looking for a region of Japan that will take you back in time then you have to check out the Kansai region. This area has an old, almost rugged feel that is just chock-full of history.
What is in this Region? Let’s take a look at some of the most famous sites and places in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu:
Osaka City – In Osaka city you will find plenty of amazing sites and wonderful shops, restaurants and anything else you can think of.
Namba – This is one of the most famous districts in Osaka. It is full of amazing restaurants and alcohol shops that will delight every foodie visiting Japan (see also ‘You Need To Visit Nikko To See The Best Of Japan‘).
Higashiyama – If you are looking for a fascinating district of Kyoto to visit you have to check out Higashiyama. This district is a well-preserved area that makes it feel like you have traveled back in time!
We have only scratched the surface of the amazing things you can see in the Kansai region. So make sure to do your research and find places to visit that suit your tastes and desires.
The Chubu Region
You might not know this region by name very well but it is home to one of the most famous natural landmarks in Japan. Mount Fuji.
Aichi Prefecture – This prefecture contains a ton of amazing sites and scenes you can enjoy and experience. Like Nagoya (see also ‘Cost Of Living In Nagoya‘) and a ton of amazing restaurants.
Gifu Prefecture – There is also the Gifu prefecture which contains the city of Gifu and even a small folk village you can go and see.
There are a ton of other things you can see in the Chubu region so make sure to do some research on this region to find out more interesting things to see and do that suit you.
The Chugoku Region
This region is less known than the first three we have mentioned, but there are still a wide variety of things you can see and do there. Below are a few of the most famous sites you can see in this region:
Kurashiki – This is a beautiful and picturesque city that is so stunning you are sure to remember it until your final days.
Hiroshima Prefecture – This prefecture contains many amazing sites like the historic city of Hiroshima and many amazing temples and shrines that are sure to impress.
The Tohoku Region
This is also one of the less known regions on the island of Honshu. But there is in fact quite a lot to see and enjoy here. Below are some of the most famous places to visit:
Aomori Prefecture – This prefecture contains beautiful mountain ranges, lakes, castles and many other fantastic things to see and do.
Akita Prefecture – You can visit the city of Akita, check out the mountain ranges or even visit a wonderfully preserved samurai district in this prefecture.
Final Thoughts
We have missed out a lot of amazing sites and scenes in our list, so make sure to do your research into each of these regions so that when you visit the island of Honshu you will have an idea of what you can see and the amazing contents of each region of this island.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
