Japan's 47 Prefectures: A Region-by-Region Travel Guide

Japan has 47 prefectures in 8 regions. Browse every prefecture with a quick overview and a link to its full travel guide.

Published October 18, 2026 at 1:10 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan has 47 prefectures, which are its first-level administrative divisions: 1 metropolis (Tokyo), 1 circuit or "do" (Hokkaido), 2 urban prefectures (Kyoto and Osaka) and 43 regular prefectures. They are usually grouped into 8 regions, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu and Okinawa in the southwest. Use this page to pick a region, then open the full travel guide for any prefecture.

How Japan's Prefectures Are Organized

Every place you visit in Japan sits inside one of 47 prefectures, and each has its own capital city, food specialties, festivals, dialect and landscapes. Travelers often plan by prefecture because train passes, regional tourism boards, local souvenirs and even weather patterns follow those borders. The 8 traditional regions group neighbors together, which makes it easy to build a route that stays compact and keeps travel days short.

Each guide linked below runs about 1,500 words and follows the same layout: a quick answer, an at-a-glance overview, how to get there, top sights, food, festivals, the best time to visit, a sample itinerary and answers to common questions. That makes it simple to compare prefectures side by side and decide where your next trip should go.

Hokkaido Region: Japan's big northern island

Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost main island and a single prefecture. It is known for big landscapes, cool summers, powder snow and outstanding seafood.

Hokkaido Prefecture: Japan's big northern island, famous for powder snow, lavender fields, ramen, crab and wild national parks.

Tohoku Region: The snowy northeast

Tohoku covers the northeast of Honshu with 6 prefectures. Expect snow country, hot springs, summer lantern and float festivals, apples, rice and sake.

Aomori Prefecture: The northern tip of Honshu, known for apples, giant Nebuta lantern floats, snowy mountains and ancient forests.

Iwate Prefecture: Japan's second largest prefecture, with Hiraizumi's golden temples, Morioka's noodles and a rugged Pacific coast.

Miyagi Prefecture: Home of Sendai, Matsushima Bay, beef tongue, oysters and the legacy of the samurai lord Date Masamune.

Akita Prefecture: Samurai streets, deep Lake Tazawa, rustic hot springs, kiritanpo rice sticks and the famous Akita dog.

Yamagata Prefecture: Mountain temples, a gaslight hot spring village, snow monsters, cherries, soba and sacred Dewa Sanzan peaks.

Fukushima Prefecture: Samurai history in Aizu, thatched Ouchijuku, mountain lakes, peaches, sake and Kitakata ramen.

Kanto Region: The Tokyo region

Kanto surrounds Tokyo with 7 prefectures. It combines the capital's energy with shrines, mountains, hot springs, coastlines and day-trip towns.

Ibaraki Prefecture: A coastal prefecture north of Tokyo, known for the blue flower fields of Hitachi Seaside Park, Kairakuen garden, natto and Tsukuba.

Tochigi Prefecture: Home of World Heritage Nikko, Utsunomiya gyoza, Nasu highlands, Mashiko pottery and the Ashikaga wisteria.

Gunma Prefecture: Hot spring country north of Tokyo, with Kusatsu Onsen, Ikaho stone steps, the Tomioka Silk Mill and daruma dolls.

Saitama Prefecture: Tokyo's northern neighbor, home to Kawagoe's old streets, Chichibu's night festival, shibazakura and the Railway Museum.

Chiba Prefecture: The peninsula east of Tokyo, with Narita Airport, Nokogiriyama, Pacific beaches, peanuts and Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo Prefecture: Japan's capital, where ancient temples, anime districts, world-class food and neon neighborhoods sit side by side.

Kanagawa Prefecture: Tokyo's southern neighbor, with Yokohama's harbor, Kamakura's temples, Enoshima's coast and Hakone's hot springs.

Chubu Region: The central Japan Alps and coast

Chubu stretches across central Honshu with 9 prefectures. It holds the Japan Alps, Mount Fuji, the Sea of Japan coast, historic villages and great food.

Niigata Prefecture: Snow country on the Sea of Japan, famous for Koshihikari rice, sake, Sado Island and Nagaoka fireworks.

Toyama Prefecture: Alpine snow walls, gassho villages, a bay full of seafood and a compact, walkable capital.

Ishikawa Prefecture: Home of Kanazawa's gardens, samurai streets, gold leaf and the Noto Peninsula's crafts and coastline.

Fukui Prefecture: A quiet coastal prefecture with Eiheiji Zen temple, Echizen crab, dinosaur fossils and Wakasa Bay.

Yamanashi Prefecture: The prefecture for Mount Fuji views, the Fuji Five Lakes, fruit orchards and Koshu wine.

Nagano Prefecture: The Japan Alps prefecture of Zenkoji, Matsumoto Castle, snow monkeys, soba and world-class skiing.

Gifu Prefecture: The mountain prefecture of Takayama's old town, Shirakawa-go, Gujo Hachiman, Gero Onsen and Hida beef.

Shizuoka Prefecture: Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula's hot springs, green tea fields and the eel and gyoza of Hamamatsu.

Aichi Prefecture: Nagoya's castle and unique food, Ghibli Park, Inuyama Castle and the heart of Japanese manufacturing.

Kansai Region: The cultural heart around Kyoto and Osaka

Kansai is the cultural heart of Japan with 7 prefectures. It brings together ancient capitals, temples, castles, pilgrim trails and Osaka's food culture.

Mie Prefecture: Home of Ise Jingu, Toba pearls, Iga ninja country and Matsusaka beef, easy to reach from Nagoya and Osaka.

Shiga Prefecture: Lake Biwa, Hikone Castle, Enryakuji and Shigaraki pottery, just minutes from Kyoto.

Kyoto Prefecture: Japan's old imperial capital, with temples, gardens, geisha districts, matcha and the Gion Matsuri.

Osaka Prefecture: Japan's kitchen: takoyaki, Dotonbori neon, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and great day trips.

Hyogo Prefecture: Himeji Castle, Kobe beef, Arima and Kinosaki hot springs, Awaji Island and Nada sake.

Nara Prefecture: Japan's first permanent capital, with friendly deer, the Great Buddha, ancient temples and Yoshino blossoms.

Wakayama Prefecture: Koyasan temple stays, Kumano Kodo trails, Shirahama beaches and Wakayama ramen.

Chugoku Region: The western tip of Honshu

Chugoku forms the western end of Honshu with 5 prefectures. It offers Hiroshima, Miyajima, sand dunes, shrines, castles and quiet coastal towns.

Tottori Prefecture: Japan's famous sand dunes, Mount Daisen, manga towns and winter snow crab on the Sea of Japan coast.

Shimane Prefecture: Izumo Taisha, Matsue Castle, Lake Shinji sunsets, Iwami Ginzan and Izumo soba in the land of the gods.

Okayama Prefecture: Korakuen garden, Kurashiki canals, Bizen pottery and white peaches in Japan's Land of Sunshine.

Hiroshima Prefecture: Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima's floating torii, okonomiyaki, oysters and the Shimanami Kaido.

Yamaguchi Prefecture: Hagi castle town, Kintaikyo Bridge, Akiyoshidai and Shimonoseki's famous fugu at the western tip of Honshu.

Shikoku Region: The smallest of the four main islands

Shikoku has 4 prefectures and is known for the 88-temple pilgrimage, vine bridges, citrus, udon and relaxed island scenery.

Tokushima Prefecture: Awa Odori dance festival, Naruto whirlpools, Iya Valley vine bridges and sudachi citrus in eastern Shikoku.

Kagawa Prefecture: Sanuki udon, Ritsurin Garden, Naoshima art island and Konpira shrine in Japan's smallest prefecture.

Ehime Prefecture: Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle, the Shimanami Kaido and mikan oranges on Shikoku's sunny northwest coast.

Kochi Prefecture: Kochi Castle, Hirome Market, straw-grilled bonito, the Shimanto River and Pacific coast scenery.

Kyushu and Okinawa Region: The southwest islands

Kyushu and Okinawa have 8 prefectures in the southwest. Expect volcanoes, hot springs, ramen, ceramics, Nagasaki history and the blue seas of Okinawa.

Fukuoka Prefecture: Hakata ramen, riverside yatai stalls, Dazaifu shrine and the Gion Yamakasa festival in northern Kyushu.

Saga Prefecture: Arita porcelain, Takeo hot springs, Karatsu festival floats and a famous balloon fiesta in a quiet corner of Kyushu.

Nagasaki Prefecture: Peace Park, Dejima, Glover Garden, champon noodles and island scenery on Kyushu's western edge.

Kumamoto Prefecture: Kumamoto Castle, Mount Aso, Kurokawa hot springs and horse sashimi in central Kyushu.

Oita Prefecture: Beppu's steaming hells, Yufuin's lakeside streets, ancient stone Buddhas and Japan's most abundant hot springs.

Miyazaki Prefecture: Takachiho Gorge, mythical shrines, sunny surf beaches and chicken nanban in southeastern Kyushu.

Kagoshima Prefecture: Sakurajima volcano, Yakushima's ancient cedars, sand baths and black pork at the southern tip of Kyushu.

Okinawa Prefecture: Naha, Shuri Castle, Churaumi Aquarium and a chain of coral-ringed islands in Japan's far south.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many prefectures does Japan have?

Japan has 47 prefectures. They include Tokyo Metropolis, Hokkaido, the urban prefectures of Kyoto and Osaka, and 43 other prefectures. Together they are grouped into 8 regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu with Okinawa.

Which prefecture should a first-time visitor choose?

Most first-time visitors start with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka because of the excellent train connections and the concentration of famous sights. Adding Hiroshima, Nara, Hokkaido or Okinawa is a popular way to extend the trip. Choose Hokkaido for summer cool and winter snow, and Okinawa for beaches.

What is the difference between a prefecture and a region?

A prefecture is an official administrative unit with its own government and capital city. A region is an informal grouping of neighboring prefectures, such as Kansai or Tohoku, used mainly for geography, weather, dialect and travel planning rather than for government.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Sapporo: Hokkaido's Easygoing Capital of Beer and Parks, Kumamoto Castle: A Black Fortress Rising Again and Osaka Castle: Hideyoshi's Legacy and Its Park.