Asia · Eastern Asia
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia comprising 6,852 islands, with four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. It is known for its ancient temples, imperial palaces, cherry blossom festivals, geisha culture, and its position at the forefront of modern technology and innovation.
Hokkaido
Prefecture · Sapporo
Tokyo
Metropolis · Shinjuku
Osaka
Prefecture · Osaka
Kyoto
Prefecture · Kyoto
Aichi
Prefecture · Nagoya
Fukuoka
Prefecture · Fukuoka
Kanagawa
Prefecture · Yokohama
Okinawa
Prefecture · Naha
Tokyo
Population: 13,960,000
Capital and largest city, one of the world's most populous metropolitan areas
Yokohama
Population: 3,770,000
Major port city south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture
Osaka
Population: 2,752,000
Japan's third-largest city, known for food culture and commerce
Nagoya
Population: 2,327,000
Hub of Japan's automotive industry
Sapporo
Population: 1,972,000
Largest city in Hokkaido, known for winter festivals
Kyoto
Population: 1,463,000
Former imperial capital with over 1,600 Buddhist temples
Japan is an archipelago situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The terrain is predominantly mountainous and forested, with plains and basins mostly along the coasts.
Japan's climate varies considerably from north to south. Hokkaido in the north has cold winters with heavy snowfall, while subtropical conditions prevail in Okinawa. Most of the main islands experience four distinct seasons.
Mount Fuji
Honshu
Japan's highest peak at 3,776 m and an active stratovolcano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Famous Shinto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates in Kyoto
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
UNESCO World Heritage Site commemorating the 1945 atomic bombing
Himeji Castle
The finest surviving example of Japanese castle architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tokyo Skytree
The world's tallest tower at 634 m, offering panoramic views of the Tokyo metropolitan area
Japan has 47 prefectures divided into one metropolis (Tokyo), one territory (Hokkaido), two urban prefectures (Osaka and Kyoto), and 43 other prefectures.
Japan experiences about 1,500 earthquakes every year, most too small to be felt.
The Japanese bullet train (Shinkansen) network has never had a single passenger fatality due to a derailment or collision since it began operations in 1964.
Japan has the world's longest-living population, with average life expectancy exceeding 84 years.
Mount Fuji is an active volcano that last erupted in 1707–1708.
Japan consists of 6,852 islands, but 97% of its area is on the four main islands.
Japan has 47 prefectures.
Japan is divided into 47 administrative divisions called prefectures (都道府県, todōfuken). These include one metropolis (Tokyo), one circuit or territory (Hokkaido), two urban prefectures (Osaka and Kyoto), and 43 other prefectures, each with its own elected assembly and governor.
Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano.
Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 m, is an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–1708 (the Hōei eruption). It is situated on the boundary between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, making it geologically active.
Japan's 47 prefectures are the result of centuries of political evolution, from feudal domains to modern administrative regions. Understanding why Japan uses this system reveals much about the country's history and governance.
Stretching 40,000 kilometers along the Pacific Ocean basin, the Ring of Fire is Earth's most violently active tectonic zone. Learn how plate tectonics shaped the mountains, islands, and coastlines of over 15 nations.
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Last updated: 2024-01-01