islandsHonshu

Honshu, or Honshū (本州), is the largest island of Japan and the primary landmass that hosts most of the nation’s population. It is bordered by Hokkaido to the north across the Tsugaru Strait, by Kyushu and Shikoku to the west and south across the Kanmon Straits and the Inland Sea, and by the Pacific Ocean to the east. The island’s name means "main province" in Japanese.

Geography and climate: Honshu is predominantly mountainous, with the Japanese Alps running parallel to the eastern coast and numerous volcanic peaks, including Mount Fuji near the southern center. The climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south, with heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side and milder winters on the Pacific coast. The island covers about 227,960 square kilometers (88,000 square miles).

Demographics and economy: Honshu contains the bulk of Japan’s population—roughly 105 million people—and their major metropolitan areas, including Tokyo-Yokohama, Osaka-Kobe, and Nagoya. The island is the country’s economic core, hosting diverse industries such as manufacturing, technology, finance, and services. It is linked by extensive infrastructure, including the Shinkansen high-speed rail network.

History and culture: Honshu has long been central to Japanese history, with former capitals at Kyoto and Nara and numerous cultural sites. Notable UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the island include Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima), Himeji Castle, Mount Fuji, and the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, as well as Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama. Modern culture, education, and research institutions are concentrated in its cities.

Environment and challenges: Urbanization and population density pose environmental and resource-management challenges. The island encompasses protected areas and national parks that conserve mountain ecosystems, forests, and coastal habitats, while ongoing efforts aim to balance development with sustainability.