Land of the Rising Sun

Japan is the farthest civilized nation from Europe. The country is made up of a crescent-shaped string of islands hugging the eastern coast of mainland Asia. There are four major islands:

• Honshu -- Main island, about 60% of total land, 227,960 square kilometers, or a little more than 88,000 square miles.
• Shikoku -- 18,800 square kilometers, or 7,260 square miles.
• Kyushu -- The major southern island, 35,640 square kilometers, or 13,760 square miles.
• Ezo -- The northern frontier island, now called Hokkaido, 83,450 square kilometers, or 32,220 square miles.

In addition there are a few islands and island groups that in feudal times were large enough to be provinces unto themselves, and many smaller islands numbering in the thousands. Land area is roughly 378,000 square kilometers, nearly 146,000 square miles, less than the size of California which is 163,696 square miles, but larger than Germany’s 357,114 square kilometers.

In terms of latitude, the northern tip of the main island of Honshu is close to that of New York City, and the southern tip of the southern island of Kyushu is close to that of Jacksonville, Florida. The Shogun's capital at Edo is close to that of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Seismic Activity

Japan is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire which causes 90% of the world's earthquakes. As the islands are volcanic in origin and still active seismically, devastating earthquakes and tsunami are common, occurring several times in each century. With 10% of the active volcanoes in the world, every Japanese experience many earthquakes each year. With 1,500 earthquakes recorded every year, minor tremors occur almost daily in one part of the islands or another, causing slight to newsworthy shaking of buildings. Along with some forty active volcanoes, there are many places where active hot mud puddles can be seen.

One benefit of volcanic activity is that there are thousands of natural hot springs, called onsen, throughout the country. Many steaming-hot mineral springs tout special healing powers and rejuvenating therapeutic qualities derived from their mineral content. In colder parts of the country, even monkeys famously enjoy taking a dip in naturally-warmed pools of water.

Topology

Almost three-quarters of the land is ruggedly mountainous, and forested, with a major mountain range in each major island. The highest peak is Mount Fuji at 3,776 meters, or 12,388 feet, which last erupted at the end of 1707, spewing ash ash and cinders on four provinces, including the city of Edo, for two weeks, and has been dormant ever since.

View of Mount Fuji from Senso-ji (Asakusa Temple) in Edo. -- From 36 Views of Mount Fuji by Katsushika Hokusai

Only about 10% of the land is arable. As there is very little flatland, many hills and mountainsides are cultivated as high up as possible. There are three major fertile plains, all on the main island of Honshu:

• Kanto -- Area around Edo, is about 5,000 square miles, or about 13,000 in square kilometers.
• Ise -- In Ise province, is about 600 square miles, or about 1500 square kilometers.
• Kinai -- Area around Kyoto and Osaka, is about 500 square miles, or about 1,300 square kilometers.

These plains are major areas of rice production, and hence Japan's major population centers.

Flooding is common as rainfall is plentiful throughout the country, although localized droughts do occur occasionally.

Japan has numerous short and swift rivers and streams throughout the country, many with waterfalls, but no major rivers that support transportation or commercial shipping of any great size or distance.

Climate

Japan is blessed with four seasons. The north has cool summers and bitterly cold winters. The south is subtropical year round. Northern Japan is snow country. Although it is not as cold in the western Japan Sea side, it snows heavily in winter. In the eastern Pacific Ocean side, it is colder and windier, but drier. The coming of spring is traditionally marked by cherry blossoms, which start appearing in the south around late March and gradually moves northward until the final blossoms make their appearance in the north around mid May.

Although it rains throughout the year in Japan, the main rainy season begins in the south in early May. The rain front moves gradually northward until it reaches Ezo in the north in late July. It is extremely hot and humid during this time. A second lesser rainy season begins in the south in early July, lasting about a month, and moves northward. Another set of rains begins in late August and lasts through September.

Typhoon season is typically late summer through early autumn. Several severe storms strike the islands every year, uprooting trees and houses, causing floods, landslides, damage, and havoc.

October is cool and comfortable. Autumn is considered the best time in Japan to travel. The leaves change color, and the mountains and forests turn blazingly yellow, orange, red, brown, and every shade in between. This does not last long in the Land of the Rising Sun, however, as the leaves drop off and winter begins sometime in November.

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Last modified: February 28, 2010