Japan is an island country in East Asia with over 14,000 islands. The 4 main islands of Japan are:
- Honshu (Area: around 228,000 sq km)
- Hokkaido (Area: around 83,450 sq km)
- Kyushu (Area: 36,800 sq km)
- Shikoku (Area: 18,800 sq km)
The four largest islands of Japan
The Honshu island is the largest island in Japan. It has an area of around 228,000 sq km. Honshu Island is also the seventh largest and the second most populous island in the world. Many important cities of Japan, like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Yokohama, are located on the Honshu island. Mount Fuji is also located on the Honshu island.
Hokkaido is the second-largest island in Japan. It has an area of around 83,450 sq km. Sapporo is the largest city on the Hokkaido island. Kyushu is the third largest, and Shikoku is the fourth largest island in Japan.
Among the smaller islands of Japan, Okinawa Island is the largest. Okinawa Island has an area of around 1,200 sq km. It is located south of the 4 main islands.
Connectivity
All four main islands are interconnected by advanced engineering infrastructure. For example, Honshu and Hokkaido are linked by the undersea Seikan Tunnel. Honshu is connected to Shikoku and Kyushu via multiple mega-bridges and tunnels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What percentage of Japan’s landmass do the four main islands cover?
The four main islands make up approximately 97% of Japan’s total land area.
Which island is Tokyo on?
Tokyo is located on Honshu, the largest and most economically dominant island of Japan. Honshu also contains other major economic hubs like Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya.
What is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands?
Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands by both land area (approx 18,800 sq km) and population.
Is Okinawa one of the 4 main islands of Japan?
No. Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Islands chain, located south of the four main islands.
Read more