Where is Japan located? (+ Map)

Where is Japan located? Also known as Nippon or the “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is an island country on the eastern side of Asia.

Japan is a bucket list destination for many travelers. That is why I decided to create a guide to help you understand Japan’s location. Find all the details below!

Planning your TRIP TO Japan?
Below are some of my top Japan travel resources.

BEST PLACES TO STAY in JAPAN:
• Be like a bee for Nine hours (my favourite capsule hotel)
• Yiyi Tokyo Disney minpaku (house close to Tokyo Disneyland)
• Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso (onsen and Mt. Fuji view!)
• Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi (the best Ryokan in Kyoto with a private onsen)
• Miyajima guest house (perfect place to stay close to Itsukushima shrine)
• Guest house Pongyi (sleep in old kimono shop!)
• Yudanaka Yasuragi (small traditional Japanese ryokan)

TOP EXPERIENCES in and around JAPAN:
• Drive a Go-Cart on Tokyo streets (super fun Super Mario for a day!)
• The ABSOLUTE BEST museum ever (TeamLab is MUST VISIT!)
• Rent a Kimono (… when in Rome Kyoto …)
• Fushimi Inari Walking Tour (Nice way to learn about Torii Gates)
• Hiroshima and Miyajima (perfect day tour!)
• Food tasting in little Kyoto (come hungry!)
• Shirakawa go Village (see traditional Japan)
• Tea ceremony (experience the art of drinking tea)

Looking for the best way to GET TO JAPAN:
• Find best flight fares to Japan
• Having a Japan Rail Pass is the best way to travel around Japan

Japan’s archipelago consists of over 6,800 islands in the Pacific Ocean, with the four main ones being Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

These islands lie along the western edge of the Ring of Fire. This is one of the most tectonically active places on Earth, and as a result, Japan experiences frequent earthquakes and has many active volcanoes, including the famous Mount Fuji.

Are you still unsure where Japan is on the map?

Keep reading to find out about unique geography of Japan and pinpoint its exact location in the world!

Where is Japan

KEY TAKEAWAYS

● Japan is located in the Pacific Ocean, off the eastern coast of Asia.

● When searching for Japan on a map, look east of China, Korea, and Russia. Ypu will recognize it as a long chain of the islands.

● Japan consists of over 6,800 islands, with four main ones (Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku) and a mix of temperate and subtropical climates, including the tropical Ryukyu Islands.

Where is Japan located

When finding Japan on a map, start by locating Eurasia (Europe and Asia).

Next, focus on the East Asian coast.

Then, look further east of China, Korea, and Russia. You’ll see a long chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. This is Japan.

The Sea of Japan separates Japan from mainland East Asia, while to the south, the East China Sea borders the Ryukyu Islands, which stretch toward Southeast Asia.

Japan’s archipelago lies on the western edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most tectonically active regions in the world. The country is located approximately 1,200 km (746 mi) east of mainland Asia and about 3,000 km (1,864 mi) west of Hawaii.

Japan’s location and geographical details

Japan is located between 24° and 46° North of the Equator and 122° and 146° East of the Prime Meridian. The country does not observe daylight saving time and follows Japan Standard Time (JST), which is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC +9).

The total land area of the 62nd largest country in East Asia is 377,975 km² (145,937 mi²).

The best time to visit Japan depends on your preferences. In general, spring (March to May) is best if you wish to see cherry blossoms, while autumn (September to November) offers stunning fall foliage scenery. If you love winter sports, December to February is perfect for skiing in northern areas in Japan.

Japan consists of more than 6,800 islands stretching from north to south along the Pacific Ocean.

This north-south orientation, means that Japan’s climate ranges from tropical in Okinawa to subarctic in Hokkaido, with the central regions experiencing a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.

The country lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most geologically active regions in the world. As a result, Japan experiences frequent earthquakes, tsunamis, and has over 100 active volcanoes, including the famous Mount Fuji.

Most of the islands are of volcanic origin. They were formed by the movement of tectonic plates over millions of years. That is why you can find beautiful mountain ranges, hot springs, and fertile landscapes.

An exception is the Ryukyu Islands in the south, which were formed from coral reefs.

Most visited islands in Japan

Out of over 6,800 islands, the four most visited and four main islands of Japan are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

Hokkaido is located at the northern tip of the archipelago. It is known for winter festivals and ski resorts. The capital city Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972. Due to tectonic activity, you can find volcanic craters and geothermal hot springs here.

Honshu is the largest and most populated island. This is most often the first visited island, especially if you follow the classic Japan itinerary. Here, you’ll find major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, as well as iconic sites such as Mount Fuji.

Shikoku is the smallest of the main islands. It is located south of the bottom tip of Honshu. It is popular for 88-temple pilgrimage route and mountainous terrain shaped by volcanic activity.

Kyushu is the southernmost of the four main islands. Here you can find many active volcanoes, including Mount Aso, one of the largest calderas in the world. Because of the geothermal activities, the island is full of onsen (hot springs). Here you will also find Nagasaki, location of the second World War bomb, and Fukuoka.

Japan also includes Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. Okinawa is where Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid was from. This is a group of smaller islands in the south, with tropical climate, stunning Japanese coastline and most beautiful beaches in Japan.

General facts about Japan

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Now that you know where is Japan …

Japan is an island country with over 6,800 islands, stretching along the Pacific Ocean on the eastern edge of Asia.

So, the next time someone asks you where the major islands of Japan are, you’ll know exactly where to point!

This stunning East Asian country has some of the best and most recognizable cuisines in the Wrold. It has a mix of modern and traditional, interesting history, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the world’s biggest cities and stunning museums. It is a destination that’s definitely worth finding on the map.

Have a look at other Japan guides and discover perfect classic Japan itinerary, if they are safe, which cities to visit, where to stay in Kyoto, useful apps, things to do in Kyoto and Tokyo, fun facts, packing lists, which souvenirs to buy and other info you might need when planning your dream getaway.

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