How many regions and prefectures does Japan have?
Japan has 9 main regions (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa) and 47 prefectures in total. This map is clickable by region so you can drill into the prefectures and cities in each one.
Which region should I pick for a first trip?
First-timers usually start with Kanto (Tokyo) plus Kansai (Kyoto-Osaka): easy to reach, with city, culture and food all covered. For snow head to Hokkaido; for beaches, Okinawa.
What's the difference between Kanto and Kansai?
Kanto is the eastern Tokyo region — a modern megacity. Kansai is further west with Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, leaning into old culture and food. The shinkansen between them takes about 2.5 hours.
What does this map link to?
Each region links to prefecture guides (e.g. the Hokkaido travel guide) and the main city guides (e.g. Sapporo, Otaru) where we have content ready — all 47 prefectures covered.
How do I plan a trip with this map?
Start by picking a region you like, see which prefectures and cities it has, open a city guide for attractions and stays, then move on to a day-by-day itinerary and work out whether a JR Pass is worth it.