Great Japanese islands. Description

Large Japanese islands form four large islands - Honshu, Hokkaido, Skoku and Kyushu. To the south, the Ryukyu archipelago is their continuation. Small groups of islands are in the east and in the west of the country. The islands of Japan stretch for a huge distance (about 370 thousand square kilometers). Their landmark combines the island and continental features inherent in the areas of neighboring China, as well as specific Japanese ones.

The islands of Japan are characterized by strong seismicity combined with volcanic activity. Volcanism is especially characteristic in those places where the contours of deep faults pass: the western edge of the islands and the middle part of Honshu. There are only 150 volcanoes in Japan. Of these, only 15 are active.

Honshu Island

He is known to many in connection with the sad events - the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. But in addition to the sad heritage of the island can very much offer tourists. Honshu is the birthplace of exquisite ceramics, quiet villages in the mountains and noisy metropolises.

The coastal areas - Hiroshima and Okayama - are famous for their museums (Kurashiki), weapons blacksmiths and masters of pottery (Bidzen). Shimonoseki Prefecture is famous for always fresh seafood, especially fish fugu, which in Japan is considered a delicacy.

The industrial center of the country - Nagoya - is also located on the island of Honshu. Kanazawa is famous for its delightful streets, where samurai and geisha used to live. Takayama is always pleased with tasty national cuisine, and villages in the mountains of Gokayama and Shirakawa are homes in traditional Japanese style, listed in UNESCO.

The server part of the island of Honshu is practically not visited by tourists, although there is something to see: boiling rivers, hot springs, rocky mountains and sleeping volcanoes.

Hokkaido Island

This island in Japan is the last frontier of the country. Few Japanese and tourists risk traveling so far. And it was done in vain, because there is an amazing nature and vast expanses. The island is divided into four main regions: southern, central, northern and eastern.

Kyushu Island

The most international region of the country - the island of Kyushu - was the first region to accept new traditions of the outside world after the fall of samurai customs. To date, the Japanese islands, leading to the west, continue to occupy the first positions in the field of commerce and art.

Shikoku Island

This island is the smallest by area and by population. Shikoku is also called an island and a region, including neighboring small Japanese islands.

Special attention should be paid to the Okinawa Prefecture, which unites many small islands. They number about 120, some of them are still uninhabited. Most of the island is occupied by hotels, shops with souvenirs and other things that may interest tourists.

The Japanese islands were inhabited for a long time. Now the state is divided into 8 main regions with prefectures and municipalities. All regions differ from each other in nature, culture, sights and even linguistic dialects. This feature of the country is explained by the fact that the islands of Japan stretched along several climatic zones.