Located in the Pacific Ocean just off the eastern coast of mainland Asia, Japan is remarkably made up of almost 7,000 islands. The four main, and indeed, largest ones are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, which make up 97 percent of Japan’s landmass.
More sparsely populated than any other part of the country, Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is a nature lover’s dream; its wild and untouched landscapes are home to six incredible national parks for you to explore.
As such, the huge island has a wealth of breathing nature for you to enjoy. While some parts are made up of rolling hills, lakes, and paddy fields, others display beautiful cherry blossom trees, towering mountains, and steaming hot springs. While summer offers up innumerable hiking opportunities in scenic places such as Shikotsu Toya National Park, winter makes for perfect skiing conditions, with Niseko and Furano both being popular ski destinations.
Home to Japan’s native Ainu people, much of Hokkaido was only really settled by the Japanese in the last one hundred years. As a result, its cities and towns are quite different in style from the rest of Japan. They are more modern in nature and lack any traditional architecture. The lively city of Sapporo is the capital of the island and is particularly worth visiting in winter when it hosts the famous Sapporo Snow Festival.
Kanto
Although
Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis, understandably dominates Kanto with all that it has for visitors to see and do, the region actually has a lot to offer up alongside Japan’s futuristic and bustling capital city.
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| Shibuya/Tokyo |
The small town of
Nikko, for instance, is home to impressive mausoleums and a beautiful national park of the same name, while
Kamakura has plenty of beautiful shrines and temples for you to check out – in addition to its lovely beaches and hiking trails.
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| Mount Fuji |
While much of Kanto is located on a plain, the region is also home to some outstanding natural attractions. The Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a must-visit for its relaxing hot springs, the breathtaking Fuji Five Lakes, and the fantastic views it boasts of
Mount Fuji off in the distance. With history, nature, and culture all on offer, Kanto really does have it all.
Kansai
A fascinating region to explore, Kansai is where Japanese civilization all began. It remarkably boasts three of the nation’s former capital cities, which all showcase Japan’s rich and ancient cultural heritage.
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| Dotonbori/Osaka |
Complete with a stunning array of historical and cultural landmarks in the shape of their many shrines, temples, and palaces, the cities of Asuka, Nara, and
Kyoto are all exceptional places to visit. Yet more incredible sights can be seen in the castles at Hikone and Himeji and the wonderful hot springs at Arima Onsen.
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| Kobe Harborland |
While the region also boasts bustling cities such as
Osaka and
Kobe, Kansai has its fair share of beautiful nature, with Lake Biwa – the largest lake in the country – and Mount Koya both particularly delightful to explore.
Kyushu
Kyushu is Japan’s most southwestern main island. While it is mostly made up of stunning mountains and fertile valleys, the broad, flat plain in the north is home to its two largest cities – Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. While both are worth a visit for their interesting historical sights, museums, and architecture, Kyushu’s outstanding beauty is what you really want to see.
Indeed, lots of impressive nature is on a show; you can be visiting the world’s largest caldera at
Aso one day, surfing in the huge waves at Miyazaki the next, and exploring the breathtaking Amakusa chain of islands later in the week.
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| Beppu |
One of Kyushu’s main draws is the famous city of Nagasaki, which was so tragically devastated by the second atomic bomb attack by the US in WWII. Other points of interest are
Beppu – a famous hot spring town – and Kumamoto, which has a gorgeous castle for you to explore.
Read more: Top favorite summer dishes in Japan
Source Touropia
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