The Japanese Islands are the archipelago that makes up Japan. Islands are areas of land surrounded by water and constantly rising above it, even at high tide. In total, the islands of Japan make up an archipelago of 6,852 land areas. Some of them are very tiny, others are very large. In addition to the 4 main and key sections of the Okinawa archipelago, people live on 416 islands.
The Land of the Rising Sun is an archipelago
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The Okinawa group of islands in the East China Sea and part of the Ryukyu Arc are famous for their beautiful beaches, limestone caves and coral reefs. But the most interesting thing is that the islanders live longer here than anywhere else in the world. They attribute this to diet (low-fat, low-salt foods such as fish, tofu and seaweed), low stress levels and spirituality.
Largest islands
The largest piece of land in the Land of the Rising Sun is Honshu. Next in the ranking are Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikokku. Often, when tourists talk about Japan, they do not even perceive these parts of the country as isolated islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Some parts of the Japanese archipelago are very large
Honshu
The largest Japanese island is Honshu. It is large even by world standards and ranks seventh in the planetary ranking by area. Previously it was called Hondo, Nippon. It accounts for 60% of the state's territory. The width of the land is 50-230 km, the length is 1,300 km, the permanent population is 100 million. The largest cities of the Land of the Rising Sun flourish in Honshu - the capital, Osaka, Kyoto. Fuji, the symbol of the state, is also located here.
The largest part of the archipelago (photo Fotomen, gallery.world)
Hokkaido
If you look at the Japanese islands on a world map, you can see that the second large part of the archipelago is located in the very north. Previously it was called Ieddo, Matsumae. Once upon a time the names Edzo and Yesso were used. Now this part is called Hokkaido. It is separated from Honshu by the Sangar Strait. The population of the land area is not as large as that of the first in the ranking - only 5.5 million inhabitants. This is due to the harsh climate, long winters, and large amounts of snow. For an island power, Hokkaido is a harsh region, unlike other territories. However, those living here do not regret their fate - they have excellent natural resources, and are connected to the capital by high-speed trains and air travel. Most of Hokkaido's settlements are located south of Paris. Tourists visiting Hokkaido often go to Wakkanai, Sapporo, and Chitose. The most famous tourist spots are the Furano fields and Lake Shikotsu.
Northern part of the archipelago
Kyushu
The ancient island, as historians suggest, was the center of the emergence of an unusual culture. Among the large islands of the Japanese archipelago, Kyushu ranks third. The main settlements are Fukuoka and Nagasaki. Foreign tourists are attracted by Kagoshima and Kumamoto. Oita and Hirado are often the destinations of travelers. Resort areas are no less attractive. It’s impossible to even count how many warm springs there are in Kyushu. The name of the Japanese southern island of Kyushu is well known to many, because about 12 million people live here. The northern regions are predominantly industrial - metal is processed here and chemical plants are opened. The peculiarity of the south is agriculture and livestock breeding.
Southern most part of the archipelago
Shikoku
The smallest of the largest is Shikoku. It is home to 4 million inhabitants, most of them in the north. Tourists visiting Shikoku usually stay in Matsuyama, Tokushima. Many go to Kochi, Takamatsu. The list of 88 temples important for pilgrims is compiled from the holy sites of Shikoku founded or made famous by Kukai.
North Shikoku is the center of heavy engineering and shipyards; Agriculture flourishes in the south. However, the contribution to the country’s economy is small – about 3%. Elderly people prefer to be in Shikoku; young people more often leave for large cities.
The smallest of the big ones in Japan (photo by Thanya Jones, shutterstock)
Attractions
What other interesting things can you see on the island of Hokkaido, besides the amazing unique nature? Reviews from travelers about this island, as well as about all of Japan, are the most positive.
There are several notable places in Sapporo: the clock tower of the same name is one of the few surviving buildings of the late 19th century in the American colonial style; a botanical garden with a preserved area of natural forest that once grew on the site of the city; Odori Boulevard; television tower (height 147 meters); Mount Moiwa 8 kilometers from the capital; beer museum (once a beer production factory); Nakajima Park.
The city of Hakodate has a five-bastion fortress (1864); Koryuji Monastery; Church of the Resurrection of the Lord and Momomachi Catholic Church; Higashi Honganji Monastery.
Hokkkaido has national parks: Shikotsu-Toya, Kushiro-Shitsugen, Akan, Shiretoko, Rishiri-Rebun and Taiseiuzan. Quasi-national parks - Hidaka, Abashiri, Onuma, Akkeshi Prefectural Natural Park.
Kyushu
Kyushu Island is the third largest island in Japan. The area is approximately 35.6 thousand km². Population: about 15 million people. According to some sources, it is considered the birthplace of Japanese civilization. In the old Russian transcription it was called Kiu-Shiu or Kiu-Siu.
Major Japanese cities such as Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Hirado, Kagoshima, Oita and Kumamoto are located here.
Kyushu Island is connected to Honshu Island by the Kammon Tunnel (road and rail), built under the Shimonoseki Strait (Kammon Strait).
The terrain is mountainous (plains are common only in the west and north-west of Kyushu). The highest point is the inactive Kuju volcano (1788 m).
Kyushu Island is classified as a seismic zone. One of the most active Japanese volcanoes, Aso (1592 m), is located here; The volcanoes Sakurajima and Kirishima are also active. There are numerous thermal springs on the island.
The shores of Kyushu are heavily indented (except for the eastern ones). The climate is subtropical, monsoon; typhoons are frequent. Kyushu is washed by two warm currents - the Kuroshio and the Tsushima. In the south there are tropical monsoon forests dominated by palms and ferns.
Small, but very beautiful and interesting
The Japanese Archipelago Group includes many attractive small landmass. Tourists often visit the Southern Bird Minamitori, which is only slightly more than a square kilometer in area.
A favorite among our guests is the Okunoshima rabbit, which got its name because of its huge population of fearless rodents. Previously, there was a chemical weapons plant here, so the plot of land was not displayed on maps. A small museum reminds of that era.
There are cats Aoshima, Tashirojima. Locals believe that four-legged animals bring good luck. Tashirojima has a special shrine and 51 monuments to friends of man. Dogs are not allowed on the islands.
No less interesting is tiny Miyakejima with its active Oyama volcano. People arrive here only wearing gas masks because of the danger of being poisoned by gases from the crater.
The archipelago includes thousands of small interesting places (photo Asia Air Survey)
Naoshima
Only 3,400 people live on the tiny island, but it was included in Conde Nast Traveler magazine's list of special places to visit. There is a project here that is trying to rethink the perception of experience and space through the unity of architecture, nature and art. The territory of the complex includes museums, hotels, ancient houses turned into works of modern art. It is believed that a walk in the garden enhances the perception of artists' paintings.
Naoshima (photo 663highland)
Hashima
A tiny piece of land located not far from Nagasaki. Sometimes it is called Cruiser, Border Island. In its outline, the land is similar to a ship due to the concrete enclosing slabs. The plot of land is 160 m wide and half a kilometer long. The coastline lasts 1,400 m. Back in the 18th century, Hamima was a rock where only birds lived and fishermen sometimes stopped. Subsequently, coal was found here and the zone was turned into an industrial densely populated center. Next they began to produce military goods. In 1960, 5,500 people lived on Hashima, including teachers, miners, builders, and scientists. In the 70s, coal reserves came to an end and people quickly dispersed, the island became extinct. Visiting the abandoned site was prohibited, but those interested soon realized that valuable finds were possible at Hasim, and collectors would not skimp on paying for them. Now the situation has changed - you can legally get to Khasim by boat and go on land. True, most of the territory is in disrepair and is therefore closed.
Hashima
Aogashima
Mysterious Aogashima is a part of Tokyo, 358 kilometers away from the city. The land was formed due to volcanic eruptions and is difficult to access, but beautiful due to its wildlife. Moss-covered cliffs protect the island's center, a crater with geothermal springs and rare plants. There is no place for fuss - peace reigns on Aogaim. Local population – 160 people. To get here, you will have to book a helicopter trip from the capital to Hachijojima, and from there a ferry to Aogashima.
Aogashima
Sakurajima
A small piece of land, even by the standards of the Land of the Rising Sun, is considered unusual. At the beginning of the last century, the volcano island existed independently, but the eruption of 1914 led to the formation of a lava bridge that united the land with Osumi. Sakurajima is still called an island, and the easiest way to get here is by ferry. The grounds are inviting because of the warm earth - on the beach you can dig a hole in the sand and get a great hot bath. A towel, a shovel for digging a hole, and an information booklet are available at the tourist center near the port for only 500 yen. The area is famous for the largest radishes and incredibly sweet tiny tangerines.
Sakurajima
Yakushima
The attraction of Yakushima is the Yakusugi cedars. The landscapes of Princess Mononoke are believed to be inspired by this region. Thousand-year-old huge trees raise their branches to the skies, and their gnarled trunks create an atmosphere of magic. Cedar forests and their habitat have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only trees, but also waterfalls, cliffs, and deer await the brave tourist. A small fairy-tale cottage is available for rent in the center of the island.
Yakushima (photo aido, shutterstock)
Rishiri Island
Rishiri is a rounded land around the Rishiri-san volcano with a height of 1,721 m. The island is often called Rishiri-Fuji because of its visual similarity to the symbol of the state. The climb requires 12 hours and is accessible in any weather. At the top there is an observation deck and a Shinto shrine. Rishiri-ri's fame began in 1962, when Fukada Kuya named the mountain one of the hundred greatest Japanese mountains.
Rishiri
Okinawa
Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Archipelago. The area of the island is 1,348 km2, the capital is Naha. The region is completely subtropical, with an average year-round temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius. There is no snow or frost in Okinawa. Previously, it was part of the Ryukyu state, which later became part of Japan. Karate was born here. Ryukyu officially became part of Japan in 1872, but final subjugation took place by force. Later, the American military operation Iceberg was carried out in Okinawa. This is where the occupation of the country began. And now there is a large military base on the island.
Okinawa
Taketomi
The island near Ishigaki attracts visitors with a traditional Ryukyu village. The land area is small, so people come here for one day, rent a bicycle and ride around the entire territory on it. Guests are offered a ride on a buffalo-drawn cart - in half an hour you can travel around the entire ancient village and listen to a guide telling legends to the sounds of a classic shamisen.
Taketomi (photo by TAKAHIRO KUBO, shutterstock)
Itsukushima
Itsukushima is a mountainous island that attracts travelers with its ancient temples and Daiganji Monastery. The land is often called sacred. This will extend not only to the sanctuaries, but also to the incredibly beautiful wildlife. Travelers often plan their trip to attend Kangensai, a festival held in early August. It begins at the Itsukushima Shrine and continues with ceremonial boat rides accompanied by an orchestra and a visit to the sacred gate. As soon as darkness falls, thousands of lanterns are lit. The atmosphere of the holiday is mysterious, majestic and cheerful.
Itsukushima (photo by Jordy Meow)
History of Honshu
The history of this island is actually the complete history of Japan. It is the birthplace of the country, and almost every major and important event in Japanese history took place on this island. From conflicting warlords, the Meiji Restoration, to the events of World War II, it all started on this island. All these events left their mark on this part of Japan.
