Honshū

Honshū or Hondo, largest Japanese island, called the mainland. It is bounded on the north by Tsugaru Strait, which separates it from Hokkaidō Island; on the east by the Pacific Ocean; on the south by the Inland Sea and the Kammon Strait, which separates it from Shikoku and Kyūshū islands; and on the west by the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The island is about 1,290 km (about 800 mi) long and ranges in width from 48 to 241 km (30 to 150 mi) in the central region. Like the other islands of Japan, Honshū is extremely mountainous. The loftiest peaks of Japan are located in the central mountain mass, often called the Japanese Alps. Fuji, the highest summit of the country, has an elevation of 3,776 m (12,387 ft) above sea level. Mount Asama, one of the most active volcanos of Japan, is about 140 km (about 85 mi) northwest of Tokyo. The Fuji region is often subject to severe earthquakes. The Tone, Shinano, and Kino rivers, among the largest of Japan, are situated on Honshū, and the island also contains numerous lakes that are noted as summer resort areas.

Extending over approximately 8° of latitude, Honshū has wide regional variations of climate. Severe winters, with considerable snow, are common west of the central uplift and in the northern portion of the island. The warm Kuroshio Current (or Japan Current) brings milder winters to the eastern coastal regions in the central island area. Under the influence of the southwestern monsoon, the summers are usually humid and hot, with the extreme temperatures as high as 35°C (95°F). Typhoons, usually occurring in September and October, bring heavy rains that often cause serious floods. Considerably more than half the population of Japan resides in the lowlands of Honshū. Besides Tokyo, the leading cities of the island include Ōsaka, Nagoya, Kyōto, Yokohama, Kōbe, and Hiroshima. Area, including that of nearly 200 offshore islands, 230,940 sq km (89,166 sq mi).