Japan's Four Main Islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku

Japan's four primary islands are:

• Hokkaido – Northernmost; known for nature, skiing, Sapporo.
• Honshu – Largest, most populous; home to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima.
• Kyushu – Southwestern; volcanic, historic (Nagasaki, Kagoshima).
• Shikoku – Smallest of the four; pilgrimage route (88 temples), rural charm.

Together they comprise the vast majority of Japan's land area and population.