Large Japanese islands form four majorthe 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 a strongseismicity in combination 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. In Japan there are only 150 volcanoes. Of these, only 15 are active.
Honshu Island
He is known to many in connection with the sad events- Atomic bombardment 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 famoustheir 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 - alsois 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 bordercountries. 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 areas: southern, central, northern and eastern.
Kyushu Island
The most international region of the country is the islandKyushu - became the first region that accepted the 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.
Separate attention deserves the prefectureOkinawa, which unites many small islets. There are about 120 of them, 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 timetime. 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.
