Japan is often called an island nation, but in truth it’s made up of many islands. The three largest islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu.
Hokkaido – The Winter Paradise
Hokkaido is the northernmost major island of Japan, home to the famous annual Sapporo Snow Festival and countless ski resorts. Outside of its capital, Sapporo, public transport is limited, and it’s recommended to hire a car to get around, driving along the open highways through Hokkaido’s mountainous regions. Indeed, this island is home to the coldest cities in Japan, as well as the exclusive Seicomart convenience stores!
Honshu – Home of the Capital
Honshu is Japan’s main island, located at the center of the country, home to the most iconic tourist cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. It’s ancient capital Kyoto offers a look into Japan’s cultural history with its many temples, shrines, and traditional wooden buildings, while the modern capital Tokyo is a concrete jungle of famous cities and a hub for international business. Honshu Island is also home to Hiroshima, a scenic city known for its Peace Memorial Park, okonomiyaki, and the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
Kyushu – Seaside Vibes
Last but not least is, in my humble opinion, the most scenic of Japan’s three major islands – Kyushu. This island located in the south is home to beautiful seaside cities such as Kitakyushu and Fukuoka. The famous Kokura Castle can be found in Kitakyushu while Fukuoka offers ferry cruises to Busan, Korea! Personally, the most beautiful part of Kyushu Island to me is Mt. Komonji. Hiking to the top of the mountain offers unreal views of Kyushu’s beautiful mountains and the vast Sea of Japan.
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