Prefectures of Japan
Explore all 47 prefectures of Japan organized by region with key highlights
Hokkaido Region
Hokkaido
Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost region, offers vast wilderness, cool summers with flower fields, powdery winter snow, and the famous Snow Festival. Enjoy abundant seafood, Genghis Khan BBQ, and attractions like UNESCO World Heritage Shiretoko, Sapporo, and Otaru.
Tohoku Region
Aomori
Located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, Aomori Prefecture is known for apples and the Nebuta Festival. Comprehensive tourism, gourmet, and cultural information covering World Heritage Shirakami Mountains, Oirase Gorge, winter ice trees, and stunning seasonal scenery.
Iwate
Travel, gourmet, and event information for Iwate Prefecture in northern Tohoku, featuring World Heritage Hiraizumi, Sanriku Rias Coast, Jodogahama Beach, and diverse natural and historical cultural attractions.
Miyagi
Miyagi Prefecture tourism guide featuring Matsushima (one of Japan's Three Scenic Views), Zao's Okama Crater, and delicious specialties like beef tongue and zunda mochi, centered around Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku.
Akita
Akita Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, where rich forests, lakes, and snow culture thrive. Enjoy unique traditional events like Kanto Festival and Namahage, along with foods like kiritanpo and Hinai-jidori chicken in this four-season travel destination.
Yamagata
Yamagata Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region, is renowned for its seasonal natural beauty, hot springs, historical culture including Yamadera and Dewa Sanzan, and abundant cuisine such as imoni stew and cherries.
Fukushima
Fukushima Prefecture consists of three regions—Aizu, Nakadori, and Hamadori—each with distinct climates and cultures. It offers diverse attractions from historical sites and hot springs to gourmet cuisine and outdoor activities, making it one of Tohoku's premier tourist destinations.
Kanto Region
Ibaraki
Within day-trip distance from Tokyo, Ibaraki offers plum-viewing at Kairakuen Garden, seasonal flower fields at Hitachi Seaside Park, and rich culinary culture including anko nabe hotpot and Mito natto, combining abundant nature with food culture.
Tochigi
Tochigi Prefecture, located in inland Kanto, boasts rich nature and history including World Heritage Nikko shrines and Nasu Highlands. Culinary attractions like Utsunomiya gyoza and Tochiotome strawberries abound. Just 45 minutes from Tokyo by shinkansen.
Gunma
Gunma offers famous hot springs like Kusatsu and Ikaho, World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill, and the magnificent nature of Oze National Park. Just an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen, enjoy seasonal scenery and local gourmet delights in this landlocked prefecture.
Saitama
Saitama Prefecture north of Tokyo features diverse attractions from Kawagoe's historic kurazukuri streets, Nagatoro Gorge carved by the Arakawa River, to Chichibu's mountain landscapes and festival culture - an inland prefecture where urban centers coexist with nature and history.
Chiba
Chiba Prefecture, located east of Tokyo, boasts Narita International Airport and Tokyo Disney Resort, offering a harmonious blend of sea, mountain, rural nature, and historical culture. Diverse gourmet and activities abound in this premier Kanto tourist destination.
Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan's capital, is a metropolis where historical heritage and cutting-edge culture coexist. From Sensoji Temple to Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the pristine nature of the Izu Islands, diverse attractions are packed into this world-class tourism destination.
Kanagawa
Kanagawa Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area, features diverse attractions from Yokohama's urban nightscapes to Hakone hot springs, Kamakura's ancient temples, and Shonan beaches - a treasure trove of tourism and cuisine.
Chubu Region
Niigata
Niigata Prefecture combines rice country and snow country features. Sado Island's scenic beauty, Nagaoka Fireworks, Yuzawa skiing, sake and seafood color the four seasons, with excellent access from Tokyo via Shinkansen.
Toyama
Toyama Prefecture, central Japan Sea coast region. Discover the Tateyama Mountain Range, Kurobe Gorge, UNESCO World Heritage Gokayama, and abundant Toyama Bay seafood. Just 2 hours from Tokyo via Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Ishikawa
Ishikawa Prefecture in Hokuriku encompasses the protruding Noto Peninsula and the culturally rich Kaga region, offering seasonal scenic beauty and abundant seafood.
Fukui
Fukui Prefecture, surrounded by the Sea of Japan and mountains, offers diverse attractions including Tojinbo cliffs, Eiheiji Temple (Soto Zen headquarters), and Japan's largest dinosaur museum. Famous for Echizen crab and oroshi soba.
Yamanashi
Yamanashi Prefecture, surrounded by Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps, offers a comprehensive guide to tourism, events, and gourmet featuring fruits, wine, and hot springs.
Nagano
Nagano Prefecture, featuring the Japanese Alps, offers magnificent nature through four seasons, historic castle towns and post towns, famous hot springs and mountain resorts, and local Shinshu cuisine.
Gifu
Gifu Prefecture is located in the heart of Japan, featuring the World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go, historic Hida Takayama townscapes, Gero Onsen hot springs, and diverse attractions. A rich blend of nature, history, traditional crafts, and gourmet cuisine.
Shizuoka
Shizuoka Prefecture overlooks Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay, blessed with a mild climate and abundant seafood and mountain delicacies. Attractions include World Heritage sites, hot springs, and local gourmet cuisine.
Aichi
One of Japan's three major metropolitan areas, the heart of the Chubu region. Featuring Nagoya Castle, Toyota's industrial tourism, and unique food culture including miso katsu and hitsumabushi.
Kinki Region
Mie
Mie Prefecture, home to the sacred Ise Grand Shrine, offers stunning Ago Bay views, rich culinary traditions including Matsusaka beef and Ise lobster, and comprehensive tourism and gourmet event information.
Shiga
Centered around Lake Biwa which occupies one-sixth of its area, Shiga Prefecture harmoniously blends historical cultural properties with abundant nature. Discover national treasure Hikone Castle, World Heritage Enryaku-ji Temple, gourmet delights like Omi beef and funazushi, cycling Biwako Valley, and diverse attractions in this lake country.
Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture, the cultural and historical heart of Japan for over a millennium, boasts 17 World Heritage sites, seasonal streetscapes, and northern coastal beauty known as the Sea of Kyoto.
Osaka
Osaka Prefecture, centered around the city of kuidaore (eating until you drop), is one of Japan's premier urban tourism destinations where historic heritage and cutting-edge entertainment coexist. Enjoy a wide range of attractions including gourmet food, shopping, and World Cultural Heritage sites.
Hyogo
Hyogo Prefecture, facing both the Japan Sea and Seto Inland Sea, offers diverse attractions including Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen, and Kobe's night views - truly a 'miniature Japan.' Enjoy rich nature from sea, mountains, and islands alongside captivating food culture like Kobe beef and Akashiyaki.
Nara
Nara Prefecture harmonizes World Heritage sites like Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara and Yoshino cherry blossoms with nature. Home to Nara Park where you can interact with deer, Horyu-ji, Todai-ji, and other ancient temples - a historically romantic destination accessible as a day trip from Kansai.
Wakayama
Wakayama Prefecture, the southernmost fruit kingdom of Kinki, features diverse attractions including World Heritage Site 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,' Shirahama beaches and hot springs, and Adventure World famous for pandas.
Chugoku Region
Tottori
Tottori Prefecture, nestled between the Sea of Japan and Chugoku Mountains, is Japan's least populous prefecture known for its Tottori Sand Dunes, Mount Daisen, Matsuba crab, and abundant natural riches. Enjoy hot springs and manga-themed town walks.
Shimane
Shimane Prefecture features mythology-rich Izumo, world-class Adachi Museum Japanese gardens, World Heritage Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, and abundant attractions. Food including clams and Izumo soba is charming in this San'in tourism guide.
Okayama
Okayama Prefecture, known as the 'Land of Sunshine' with the most sunny days in Japan. Famous for attractive tourism resources including one of Japan's Three Great Gardens (Korakuen), Kurashiki Bikan District, and Seto Ohashi Bridge, as well as being a fruit kingdom represented by peaches and muscat grapes.
Hiroshima
Home to the World Heritage sites of Itsukushima Shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Prefecture offers a mild Seto Inland Sea climate and rich food culture. Gourmet delights like okonomiyaki and Hiroshima oysters, along with historic towns such as Onomichi and Kure, attract visitors from around the world.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi Prefecture, located at the westernmost tip of Honshu, offers two faces: the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. Experience diverse nature, food, and history including Akiyoshidai karst plateau, Tsunoshima Bridge scenic views, and Shimonoseki's tiger pufferfish.
Shikoku Region
Tokushima
Tokushima Prefecture in eastern Shikoku is renowned for the Naruto whirlpools, Awa Odori dance, and the secluded Iya Valley. A land of diverse natural and cultural treasures, azure seas, rugged mountains, rich cuisine, and traditional crafts captivate all travelers.
Kagawa
Kagawa Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea and Japan's smallest by area, packs gourmet delights and tourism resources into its compact size. Discover the famous Sanuki udon, Kotohira-gu Shrine, and island-hopping art destinations in the 'Udon Prefecture.'
Ehime
Ehime Prefecture, blessed with a mild climate and the bounty of the Seto Inland Sea and Uwa Sea, features Mount Ishizuchi, Shikoku's highest peak. Discover diverse attractions like Dogo Onsen, Shimanami Kaido, and citrus culture epitomized by mikan oranges—comprehensive tourism, gourmet, and event information.
Kochi
Kochi Prefecture is located in southern Shikoku, featuring diverse natural landscapes including the clear Shimanto River, Katsurahama Beach, and Cape Ashizuri, along with bold food culture epitomized by bonito tataki and sawachi cuisine, and passionate local spirit symbolized by the Yosakoi Festival.
Kyushu Region
Fukuoka
Fukuoka Prefecture is Kyushu's gateway. Explore urban tourism in Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City, World Heritage Munakata Taisha, food culture like food stalls and tonkotsu ramen, hot springs and spectacular mountain and sea scenery—a destination packed with diverse attractions.
Saga
Saga Prefecture is located in northwestern Kyushu, featuring two contrasting seas - the Ariake Sea and the Genkai Sea, the renowned Ureshino Hot Springs for beautiful skin, and the world's largest hot air balloon festival among its diverse attractions.
Nagasaki
Nagasaki Prefecture boasts the highest number of islands in Japan and complex rias coastlines. Experience World Heritage Gunkanjima, Huis Ten Bosch, and diverse international cuisine in this sea breeze prefecture.
Kumamoto
Comprehensive tourism information for Kumamoto Prefecture, featuring the magnificent Aso caldera, historic Kumamoto Castle, Amakusa's ocean and dolphins, and diverse natural and historical attractions.
Oita
Oita, the 'Onsen Prefecture' with Japan's highest number of hot springs and water output volume. A tourism paradise in eastern Kyushu featuring famous hot springs in Beppu and Yufuin, majestic Kuju Mountains, and exquisite gourmet such as Sekiaji and Sekisaba.
Miyazaki
Miyazaki Prefecture is known for its warm climate and mythological heritage. Explore spectacular scenery like Takachiho Gorge and Nichinan Coast, savor local delicacies like Chicken Nanban and Miyazaki Beef, and visit this southern resort area popular as a professional sports training camp destination.
Kagoshima
Kagoshima Prefecture, embraced by the active volcano Sakurajima and rich seas, offers World Natural Heritage Yakushima and food culture including kurobuta pork and satsuma-age. A complete guide to Kagoshima sightseeing and gourmet.
Okinawa
Okinawa Prefecture, surrounded by subtropical warm climate and crystal-clear seas. Ryukyu Kingdom historical heritage and unique islands with superb gourmet making it one of Japan's premier resorts.