Japan – Your PENYA Travel Guide in English
 
PENYA Japan Travel Guide
 
Japan is the world’s fourth largest island nation, made up of thousands of islands in the Pacific. Most people live on one of the country’s four main islands, but there are also many smaller islands scattered across the ocean. The nation is divided into 47 prefectures, which serve as important administrative regions and connect the national government to cities and towns.
 
Honshu (本州) is the largest and most populated of the main islands. It’s often called the "heart of Japan" and is home to Tokyo (東京), Kyoto (京都), and Osaka (大阪). Over 110 million people live here—more than anywhere else in the country. North of Honshu you’ll find Hokkaido (北海道), Japan’s second largest island and biggest prefecture. Hokkaido is famous for its wide open spaces, beautiful nature, and cold, snowy winters.
 
Heading southwest, there’s Kyushu (九州), the third largest island. Kyushu is known for steaming volcanoes and a warm, subtropical climate. Shikoku (四国) sits between Honshu and Kyushu. This is the smallest of the four main islands, filled with countryside scenery and well-known pilgrimage routes. In addition to these, there’s Okinawa (沖縄県) and several other small islands. All together, Japan’s islands stretch across eight regions. Each one looks and feels different—whether you’re thinking of climate, landscape, or culture.
 
A Quick Look at Japan’s History
Japan’s past is packed with change. For centuries, Japan kept to itself, guided by samurai, shoguns, and strict traditions. Everything shifted in 1854, when U.S. ships forced the country to open to the world. After that, things moved fast. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 started a wave of rapid industrialization, inspired by Western nations. In no time, Japan had become Asia’s first modern industrial power.
 
The 20th century, however, brought both challenge and growth. Japan’s growing military ambitions led to conflict in China in 1937 and expansion into other Asian lands during World War II. In 1945, after defeat and occupation, Japan rebuilt itself. From the 1950s onwards, it emerged as a leader in both technology and the global economy.
 
Today, life in Japan blends old and new. People value tradition, teamwork, and steady effort. Yet there’s also a huge enthusiasm for new ideas and technology. Japan is world famous for its electronics, robots, and pioneering spirit. At the same time, traditions like anime, manga, sushi, and Zen-inspired gardens have reached well beyond Japan’s borders. The economy is a mix of big international corporations and countless small, inventive companies.
 
A Quick Geography Snapshot of Japan
One of the world’s largest island nations, found in the Pacific Ocean
About 378,000 square kilometers—Japan stretches over 3,000 kilometers from north to south
More than 14,125 islands, but only 425 have people living on them
Almost 128 million people call Japan home, with a density of about 340 people per km²
Most people live on the main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku
Hokkaido is still home to descendants of the region’s indigenous peoples
Shintoism and Buddhism are the main religions
The Emperor’s birthday is celebrated as Japan’s national holiday
Huge range of climates—from cool and temperate up north to warm, subtropical air in the south