121001 Japan! With 8 regions to go

Japan or Nippon or Nihon is an island country  located on East Asia. It lies off the eastern coast of the Asian continent and stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea in the south. Now, Japan has total about 8 regions and is divided into 47 provinces which called “Todofuken or 道 府 県” with the following names as.

Regions 1 – Hokkaido

Hokkaido region is the northern island of Japan. With the size of the second largest island in the country. Hokkaido is full of nature that have many world natural heritage site. It’s also famous for fresh seafood including crabs and sea urchins. In Winter that have many activities for tourism visit such as ski resorts at Niseko and Furano. There are 7 interest place in Hokkaido or 北海道 as:

1. Sapporo
2. Hakodate
3. Shiretoko
4. Niseko
5. Otaru
6. Asahikawa
7. Furano

Regions 2 – Tohoku

Tohoku region is located on the northern part of Honshu surrounded by the sea on three sides. Honshu Island is the main and largest island of the country. This is famous region for beautiful coastlines such as Sanriku coast and Matsushima and fresh seafood. Hot spring also have been health and healing sanitariums for decades. Honshu Island consists of 6 provinces as:

1. Aomori or 青森県
2. Iwate or 岩手県
3. Miyagi or 宮城県
4. Akita or 秋田県)
5. Yamagata or 山形県
6. Fukushima or 福島県

Regions 3 – Kanto

Kanto has Japan’s capital city which is name “Tokyo”.  This city have population over 10 million and surrounded by large cities such as Yokohama. It is the most developed region in the country. This has a mix of modern commercial districts such as Shibuya and Roppongi as well as downtown areas of Asakusa. Historical structures of Nikko and spectacular scenery of Mt Fuji from Hakone. Kanto consists of 7 provinces as:

1. Ibaraki or 茨城県
2. Tochigi or 栃木県
3. Gunma or 群馬県
4. Saitama or 埼玉県
5. Chiba or 千葉県
6. Tokyo or 東京都
7. Kanagawa or 神奈川県

Regions 4 – Chubu

Chubu is located in the center of Japan. A large part of this area is covered by mountains as high as 3000 meters and due to this mountainous landscape. Japan Alps is also located in this region. Jigokudani Onsen, Kanazawa street and Takayama are all part of Chubu region. Chubu consists of 9 provinces as:

1. Niigata or 新潟県
2. Toyama or 富山県
3. Ishikawa or 石川県
4. Fukui or 福井県
5. Yamanashi or 山梨県
6. Nagano or 長野県
7. Gifu or 岐阜県
8. Shizuoka or 静岡県
9. Aichi or 愛知県

Regions 5 – Kansai 

Kansai region also known as Kinki. This region have historical that importance because the ancient capital from early era located in this region before move to Tokyo. Kyoto was the former capital of Japan. Its has history, culture, temples, shrines and traditional buildings. When the autumn season come Kyoto will have wonderful colors from flower around. Osaka also is the second largest city of Japan. Kansai consists of 7 provinces as:

1. Mie or 三重県
2. Shiga or 滋賀県
3. Kyoto or 京都市
4. Osaka or 大阪市
5. Hyogo or 兵庫県 and also know as Kobe
6. Nara or 奈良市
7. Wakayama or 和歌山市

Regions 6 – Chugoku

Chugoku is located on the western part of Honshu. There is a famous tourist attraction on Miyajima Island. Hiroshima is famous place and interests from people who come and visit. Itsukushima Shrine and floating Torii gates of Miyajima as well as the A-bomb dome, Peace Park and Museum are important place that tourism visit. Izumo Taisha, the picturesque town of Kurashiki, and the limestone cave of Akiyoshido are all part of Chugoku region. Chugoku consists of 5 provinces as:

1. Tottori or 鳥取県
2. Shimane or 島根県
3. Okayama or 岡山県
4. Hiroshima or 広島県
5. Yamaguchi or 山口県

Regions 7 – Shikoku

Shikoku region is the smallest island of Japan and consists as four prefectures of islands. Shikoku is famous for the Shimanami Kaido that allows bicycle access across islands of the Seto inlet, the whirl pools of Naruto and Kagawa’s famous shrine, Kotohiragu. Shikoku consists of 4 provinces as:

1. Tokushima or 徳島県
2. Kagawa or 香川県
3. Ehime or 愛媛県
4. Kochi or 高知県

Regions 8 – Kyushu & Okinawa

Kyushu is island in the southwest that including the Ryukyu Islands of Japan which is popular with tourists visit. They are islands around Kyushu including Okinawa. In Kyushu has many places to visit including the largest city like Fukuoka and the impressive black colored of Kumamoto Castle. Kyushu consists of 8 provinces as:

1. Fukuoka or 福岡県
2. Saga or 佐賀県
3. Nagasaki or 長崎市
4. Kumamoto or 熊本県
5. Oita or 大分市
6. Miyazaki or 宮崎県
7. Kagoshima or 鹿児島県
8. Okinawa or 沖縄県