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JAPAN'S 47 PREFECTURE

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Japan is an island country in East Asia situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It the eleventh-most populous country in the world. It is also considered to be one of the most densely populated and urbanized.

Honshu is the main island of Japan and largest at 810 miles (1,300 km) in length. Dominated by mountains and volcanoes, the massive earthquake of March 2011 moved Honshu 7.9 ft (2.4 m). A long ridge of rugged mountains runs through the heart of Japan, punctuated by steep tree-lined slopes, and deep valleys on the Pacific Ocean side, and lower hills and mountains along the Sea of Japan side.

The islands of Japan are located on the Ring of Fire, and as a result suffer from frequent, violent earthquakes and some serious volcanic activity. There are a total of 108 active volcanoes within Japan's archipelago, most of which provoke devastating earthquakes and tsunamis several times every century.

1. Tokyo

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Shinjuku is the capital of Tokyo. Tokyo. Tokyo's 2021 population is now estimated at 37,339,804. The surface area of the city metropolis comes to approximately 2,187.66 km2 (844.66 square miles). Tokyo is a major commuter city. That means that many of the people in the city at any one time don't actually live in the city itself; they commute each day for work.
Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture, and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums, historic temples, and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.

2. KANAGAWA

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Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県, Kanagawa-ken) is located just south of Tokyo. Its prefectural capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa Prefecture is home to Kamakura and Hakone, two highly popular side trip destinations from Tokyo. This port city has a total population of over 3.7 million.

There are popular things to explore in this prefecture such as Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip, The Little Prince Museum, Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and Owakidani Day Tour. Indulge yourself with amazing lunch, afternoon, and dinner cruise in Yokohama. Sightseeing in Mount Matsuda and Hakone Day Spring Blossom is one of the popular. Side trips would include Narukawa Art Museum, Goryokaku Tower, Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest, and Factory Night View Cruising in Yokohama. 

3. OSAKA

Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka) is Japan's second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. Osaka's 2021 population is now estimated at 19,110,616. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region for many centuries. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

One of the popular activities to do in Osaka is Naban no Sato & Osaka Maple Viewing, Gozaisho Nature Trip, Ride a ropeway cable car and discover the beauty of Mount Gozaisho from an altitude of 1180 meters. View the mountain’s natural “Frozen Tree” and the artificial “Frozen Waterfall” at Yamagami Koen Station. Climb the HARUKA'S 300 Observatory - Witness the breathtaking view of Osaka from Harukas 300 observatory deck at heights of 300m On the 58th floor, step out and stretch yourself in an open-air plaza or enjoy a hearty meal at the Sky Garden 300 restaurant. There are more things and activities to see and to do in Osaka. 

4. AICHI

Nagoya is the capital city of Aichi Prefecture (愛知県, Aichi-ken) is located in the Chubu Region. The prefectural capital of Nagoya is the region's largest and Japan's fourth-largest city. The prefecture is home to the Toyota Motor Corporation and as such is a major center of Japan's automotive industry. It has approximately 7,504,024 population. 

Some of the sightseeing suggestions are Railway Museum, Nagashima Resort, Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya Castle, Korankei, Science Museum, Atsura Shrine, Noritake Garden, Osu Kannon Temple, Sakae, Nagoya Port Area, Midland Square, Legoland. Side trips would include Shirakawago & Gokayama, Kiso Valley, Takayama, Ise Shima, Gujo-Hachiman, Gero Onsen, and Inuyama. 

5. SAITAMA

Saitama (さいたま) is a major city within half an hour by train north of Tokyo. The city was newly formed in 2001 with the merger of Urawa, Omiya, and other municipalities. It has an approximately 1,304,179 population. Saitama is primarily a residential city and a big proportion of its population of over a million commuters to Tokyo for work. This contributes largely to Omiya Station is a major train hub in the area. 

The top attraction includes Railway Museum, Omia Bonsai Village, Hikawa Shrine, and Prefectural Museum. The area has all the things you'd expect in a massive suburb with plenty of shopping. The locals are more of sports fans and its Saitama Super Arena attracts large numbers of fans to support a local team. 

6. CHIBA

Chiba Prefecture (千葉県, Chiba-ken) is located east of Tokyo. Many foreign travelers visit Chiba Prefecture, because Narita Airport, Japan's busiest international airport, is located there. It has an approximately 972, 595 population. The prefectural capital is Chiba City. A large part of the prefecture is made up of the rural Boso Peninsula which is a popular resort destination for Tokyoites.

Chiba City has a number of notable parks comparable to those found in Japan’s key cities. Chiba Park is perfect for hanami during spring and is likewise an alternative to the overly-crowded parks in Tokyo. Makuhari Kaihin Park has a wide-open space and an interesting giant clock on the ground that is decorated with seasonal flowers. The Japanese experience is not complete without paying a visit to cultural locations, and Chiba has some on its own.

7. HYOGO

Kobe is the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県, Hyōgo-ken) is located in the Kansai Region, stretching from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan. It has an approximately 5,460,027 population. Its largest city and prefectural capital are Kobe, its most famous tourist attraction is Himeji Castle, and its best-known hot spring resorts are Arima and Kinosaki.

Some of the most popular sights are Kinosaki, Himeji Castle, Takeda Castle Ruins, Kobe Port Tower, Kobe China Town, Kobe Misaki Stadium, Meriken Park, and Harbour Cruise in Kobe. 
Go take in a show by the famous Takarazuka Revue, or if you’re visiting in August, see the dramatic Koshien High School Baseball Championship at Koshien Stadium as well. 

8. HOKKAIDO

Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido. Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaidō) is the second-largest, northernmost and least developed of Japan's four main islands. It has an approximately 5,281,297 population. Its weather is harsh in winter with lots of snowfall, below zero temperatures, and frozen seas, while in summer it does not get as hot and humid as in the other parts of the country. With its unspoiled nature, Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers, including skiers and snowboarders in the colder seasons and hikers, cyclists, and campers from June to September.

There are so many things to see and to do in Hokkaido such as Snowmobile Experience in Snowmobile Land Sapporo, Jozankei Farm, Hakodate in nighttime〜Bus tour to enjoy the illuminated bay area and night view of Mt.Hakodate, Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, Usuzan Ropeway, and many more. 

9. FUKUOKA

Fukuoka (福岡) is Kyushu's largest and one of Japan's ten most populated cities. It has approximately 1,461,631. Because of its closeness to the Asian mainland (closer to Seoul than to Tokyo), Fukuoka has been an important harbor city for many centuries and was chosen by the Mongol invasion forces as their landing point in the 13th century. Today's Fukuoka is the product of the fusion of two cities in the year 1889 when the port city of Hakata and the former castle town of Fukuoka were united into one city called Fukuoka. 

There are many things to see and do in Fukuoka such as Yamaguchi Tsunoshima Bridge, Karato Market, and Motonosumi Inari Shrine Day Trip, Historical Hakata Tour, Hakata Alleyway Tour, Traditional Japanese Shopping Tour, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Shofukuji Temple, and Seaside Momochi.

10. SHIZUOKA

Sometimes referred to as Japan's Riviera, Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県, Shizuoka-ken) is located along the Pacific coast in the south of the Chubu Region. It has an approximately 715,827 population. Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula are part of Shizuoka Prefecture. Tea is the prefecture's most famous product. The prefectural capital is Shizuoka City.

Some of the most visited are Mount Fuji, Izu Peninsula, Fujinomiya, Hamanako is a large lake on the Pacific Coast of western Shizuoka Prefecture. Originally a freshwater lake separated from the ocean. Kakegawa is a small city known primarily as a center of tea production within Shizuoka Prefecture; which itself is the number one producer of tea in Japan.

11. IBARAKI

Mito is the capital city of Ibaraki Prefecture (茨城県, Ibaraki-ken) is located in the Kanto Region, northeast of Tokyo along the Pacific coast. It has approximately 2,838,063 population. The prefectural capital is Mito, known for Kairakuen Garden, which is considered one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens.

A few of the most visited places in this prefecture are Kairakuen Garden, which is most famous for its over three thousand plum trees. The garden is located in Mito, the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture. Hitachi Seaside Park is a spacious park near Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture featuring a variety of green spaces and seasonal flowers spread out across 350 hectares, as well as an amusement park and several cycling and walking trails.

12. HIROSHIMA

Hiroshima (広島) is the principal city of the Chugoku Region and home to over a million inhabitants. It has approximately 2,077,569 population. When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. The destructive power of the bomb was tremendous and obliterated nearly everything within a two-kilometer radius.

A few of the famous things to see and to do are Hiroshima Cycling Peace Tour, Premium Guided Boat Tour Around Stunning Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour, Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot, Sea Kayak tour in the stage of Ghibli and Hollywood movie, and Hiroshima No.1 food!! Okonomiyaki-cooking experience

13. KYOTO

Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It has approximately 1,460,956 population. It is one of the country's ten largest cities with a population of 1.5 million people and a modern face. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during World War II. Countless temples, shrines, and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.

One of the most visited and things to do in Kyoto are Kyoto Temples & Shrines Day Tour, Kyoto Tower, Kimono and Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Kyoto, Sagano Romantic Train, Guenpin (玄品ふぐ) in Gion- Puffer Fish, Nijo Castle, and Ninomaru Palace, and Steak House Pound (ステーキハウス 听) in Shijo Kawaharamachi - Premium Aged Wagyu Beef. 

14. NIIGATA

Niigata Prefecture (新潟県, Niigata-ken) is located along the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chubu Region. Niigata has approximately 801,982 population. It is famous for its high-quality rice, beautiful coastal and mountainous sceneries, spectacular firework displays in summer, skiing in winter, and hot spring bathing around the year. The prefectural capital is Niigata City.

Many of its best things to do and see are Naeba Ski Resort Tour, Nagano Snow Monkey Park and Zenko-ji Temple Day Tour with Sake Tasting, Silver Metal Clay Pendant Making and Sado Gold Mine Adventure in Niigata, Nagano Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossoms Day Tour, Guenpin (玄品) in Nagano - Puffer Fish Specialty, GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort Day Tour, and many more. 

15. MIYAGI

Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture. Miyagi (宮城県, Miyagi-ken) is located on the Pacific coast in the southern Tohoku Region. Just outside of Sendai is Matsushima, a coastal town well known to offer one of Japan's three most scenic views. The prefecture was the worst hit by the March 2011 tsunami.

One of the most visited and things to do is Matsushima Bay it has been celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views alongside Miyajima and Amanohashidate. Zuiganji Temple, is one of the Tohoku Region's most famous and prominent Zen temples, and is well known for its beautifully gilded and painted sliding doors (fusuma). Oshima Island is a small, pine tree-covered island close to the pier of Matsushima. 

16. Nagano

Nagano City (長野) is the capital of Nagano Prefecture. It has approximately 370,294 population. It evolved as a temple town around Zenkoji, one of Japan's most popular temples. In 1998, the city hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and some former Olympic facilities can still be viewed around town. In the forested mountains northwest of the city center lies the Togakushi area which attracts tourists with its popular shrines and as the legendary home of the Togakure Ninja School. 

A few of the most visited and famous thing to do are Togakushi Shrine (戸隠神社, Togakushi Jinja) consists of a lower, a middle and an upper shrine in the forested mountains northwest of Nagano's city center. Nagano's Zenkoji Temple (善光寺, Zenkōji) is one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. The Togakure Ninpo Museum (戸隠流忍法資料館, Togakure-ryū Ninpō Shiryōkan) is devoted to the local Togakure school of the ninja.

17. GIFU

Gifu (岐阜県, Gifu-ken) is a large, landlocked prefecture in the center of Honshu. It has approximately 412,779 population. Takayama, a beautiful town in the mountains, and Shirakawa-go, a collection of small villages even deeper in the mountains, are Gifu's main tourist attractions. The prefectural capital Gifu City is famous for cormorant fishing.

You will enjoy with The Shirakawa-go (白川郷, Shirakawagō) and neighboring Gokayama (五箇山) regions line the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures. Takayama (高山) is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, it retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) was referred to as one of Japan's three best onsens by the Confucian poet Hayashi Razan. While the town may now be quite a bit more urbanized than back then, the waters have retained that special quality that has made them so famous.

18. GUNMA

Maebashi is the capital city of Gunma. Gunma (群馬県, Gunma-ken) is a landlocked prefecture in the Kanto Region, famous for its many high-quality hot springs and beautiful mountains. Among Gunma's best-known hot spring resorts are Kusatsu Onsen, Ikaho Onsen, Minakami Onsen, and Manza Onsen. The prefectural capital is Maebashi.

The best places to visit and to do are Kusatsu Onsen it is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts and is blessed with large volumes of high-quality hot spring water said to cure every illness but lovesickness. Oze is a national park and an excellent hiking destination in the mountains about 150 kilometers north of Tokyo. Manza Onsen is a hot spring resort town located 1800 meters above sea level, high up on the slopes of Mount Shirane at the northwestern edge of Gunma Prefecture.


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