Japan, an archipelago in East Asia, stretches approximately 3,100 kilometers from east to west and about 2,800 kilometers from north to south. It is composed of four major islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—and numerous smaller islands. The distance between New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, located in the north, and Naha Airport in Okinawa, located in the south, is about 2,200 kilometers, taking roughly four hours by plane. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are often categorized into different regions, although there is no clear definition and various methods of regional division exist. In this article, we will summarize the different regional boundaries for reference when traveling.
Two Regional Divisions
There are many ways to divide Japan into two regions (e.g., the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, electricity frequency, NTT, etc.). In this article, we will introduce the classification method presented by NHK. In reality, even Japanese people are not entirely sure where the precise boundary between Eastern Japan and Western Japan lies. We often make this distinction based on a general sense.
| Japanese | English characters | English | Prefectures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 東日本（ひがしにほん） | Higashi Nihon | Eastern Japan | Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Yamanashi |
| 西日本（にしにほん） | Nishi Nihon | Western Japan | Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa |
NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai) is Japan's public broadcasting organization.
Four Regional Divisions
This regional division is the one used by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Eastern Japan and Western Japan are also used in this division, so just hearing "Eastern Japan" or "Western Japan" does not clearly indicate which specific region is being referred to. However, since there is no screen that demands such strict precision, it's okay to enter "around here" with a rough idea in mind.
| Japanese | English characters | English | Prefectures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 北日本（きたにほん） | Kita Nihon | Northern Japan | Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima |
| 東日本（ひがしにほん） | Higashi Nihon | Eastern Japan | Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie |
| 西日本（にしにほん） | Nishi Nihon | Western Japan | Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima |
| 沖縄・奄美（おきなわ・あまみ） | Okinawa/Amami | Okinawa/Amami | Okinawa, Kagoshima (Amami region only) |
Seven Regional Divisions
This classification seems to be the most commonly used. The capital, Tokyo, is located in the Kanto region, while popular tourist destinations like Kyoto and Osaka are in the Kansai region. The Chugoku-Shikoku region is often divided into the Chugoku region and the Shikoku region, an island with four prefectures.
| Japanese | English characters | English | Prefectures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 北海道（ほっかいどう） | Hokkaido | Hokkaido | Hokkaido |
| 東北（とうほく） | Tohoku | Tohoku | Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima |
| 関東（かんとう） | Kanto | Kanto | Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa |
| 中部（ちゅうぶ） | Chubu | Chubu | Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi |
| 近畿（きんき） | Kinki | Kinki | Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama |
| 中国・四国（ちゅうごく・しこく） | Chugoku-Shikoku | Chugoku-Shikoku | Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi |
| 九州（きゅうしゅう） | Kyusyu | Kyusyu | Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa |
Introduction of Related Japanese Terms : 地域区分
Related Japanese Terms
地域区分
| Japanese (Kanji) | 地域区分 |
| Japanese (Hiragana) | ちいきくぶん |
| Pronunciation | chi-i-ki ku-bun |
| English | regional division, regional classification |
| Details | 地域 means 'region,' and 区分 means 'division' or 'classification.' |
Conclusion
Whether you are traveling from the bustling metropolises of Eastern Japan to the tranquil landscapes of Northern Japan, or from the historic cities of Western Japan to the tropical paradise of Okinawa, each region offers unique experiences and insights. Understanding these regional distinctions helps us appreciate the diversity and rich cultural fabric of Japan.
When planning a trip, it's a great idea to choose your destination based on the unique traits of each region. This approach can help you get the most out of your journey. By considering the differing climates, cultures, and cuisines of various areas, you can create a richer and more enjoyable travel experience.
Reference
- NHK for School: https://www2.nhk.or.jp/school/watch/clip/?das_id=D0005402985_00000
- Japan Meteorological Agency: https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/kishou/know/kisetsu_riyou/division/kubun.html
